2. Safety
Depending how the 2015 depth chart shakes out, the Vols could lose both starting safeties after next year in Brian Randolph and LaDarrell McNeil. Three other veterans who provide depth – Devaun Swafford, Max Arnold and Lemond Johnson – will all be gone within the next two years as well. Todd Kelly Jr. is the only underclassman who heads into 2015 with any significant experience at safety. There are some others with upside currently on the roster such as Evan Berry, possibly Rashaan Gaulden (depending where they play him) and early enrollee Stephen Griffin. And some of the incoming DBs/ATHs could get a look at safety, so it’s not a desperate situation.
Looking forward, this isn’t a real deep position group, however, and the Vols will certainly miss the steady, veteran presence that Brian Randolph has been over the past few years. Thankfully for UT, there are several highly-ranked safeties in the 2016 class who are high on the Vols early. Look for them to emphasize defensive backs in this class, and to bring in 2-3 guys who they feel good about putting at safety.
Some 2016 safety names to know:
• Nigel Warrior
• Joejuan Williams (CB/S)
• Ikenna Okeke
