Tennessee Football enters the season as one of the most highly-anticipated teams in the country. Who will be the key pieces for the Vols in 2024? The following is a countdown series of the most important Vols on Tennessee’s roster as they head into summer workouts.
Ever since taking over at Tennessee Football, the narrative surrounding Josh Heupel with the Vols has been a dominant, high-flying offense with a horrendous secondary holding them back. However, they did have one lockdown cornerback in Heupel’s first year, Alontae Taylor.
Now, after retooling the entire unit via the transfer portal this past offseason, Heupel, Tim Banks and Willie Martinez should have much more experience. Once again, they could finally have a lockdown corner too, this time in Rickey Gibson III.
Why?
Gibson played in 12 games for the Vols as a freshman. Although he largely saw action on special teams, he made his way into the starting rotation late in the year. Andre Turrentine and he are the only returning contributors in the secondary, but Gibson showed much more promise at cornerback, and he was a highly touted recruit at 6’0″ 185 pounds. As a result, he could take a huge leap forward.
What If?
If Gibson doesn’t take that next step, Jordan Matthews could become the next star at cornerback. Matthews committed with Gibson, and many felt he would actually be the first star. However, there’s also the chance that the two transfer corners, Jermod McCoy and Jalen McMurray, lock down spots, but all signs point to Gibson working out.
Conclusion
For the first time since Heupel has been at UT, the Vols have a chance to enjoy a lockdown cornerback with a veteran, solid and experienced secondary surrounding him. That could allow Gibson to thrive. He could be the breakout star for Rocky Top. While Boo Carter is the star in the secondary as a freshman at safety, Gibson is the one who could flip the narrative on them around.
Worth Noting
Despite the fact that he is from Alabama, UT beat out the Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs to land Gibson. They also got him in August of 2022, before Heupel had his breakout year, so Gibson is likely committed to making things work with Tennessee Football in a way many players aren’t at their respective schools across the country.
As for the rest of the top 10 most important players for Tennessee Football entering summer workouts, here is the countdown:
