2. Position Battles
While the Vols have starters set at most positions heading into fall camp, there are still a handful of positions that have yet to find its starter. And that will be determined this fall.
The safety position alongside Todd Kelly Jr., the third linebacker spot, and left tackle are all vacant right now. Other spots along the offensive line and on the defensive line will have competition, the nickel corner spot isn’t completely set, and the wide receiving corps will need sorting out behind Josh Smith and Josh Malone.
Rashaan Gaulden, Evan Berry, and newcomer Nigel Warrior are expected to battle it out at safety. Micah Abernathy and Stephen Griffin will also be in the mix. At left tackle, Brett Kendrick and Drew Richmond are expected to be the main competitors for the starting spot, and the third linebacker spot, although probably not technically a starter, looks to be between Cortez McDowell and Quart’e Sapp.
The defensive line is only slightly unsettled, and that’s just because of the sheer amount of competition along it. Derek Barnett will man one of the defensive end positions, and Kahlil McKenzie is expected to be a starter at defensive tackle, but Shy Tuttle’s health has raised questions about the other defensive tackle spot, and while Corey Vereen is the likeliest candidate to start at the other defensive end position, players like Jonathan Kongbo, Darrell Taylor, Kyle Phillips, and others will give him all the competition he can handle.
At wide receiver, Jauan Jennings is expected to be the third “starter” at wide receiver, but after he had minor surgery in April, his availability is still a little up in the air. That opens the door for players like Preston Williams, Jeff George, and other newcomers to make up some ground early on.
And at corner, Malik Foreman got most of the reps at that position in the spring, but Emmanuel Moseley, D.J. Henderson, and Darrell Miller should all provide some competition there as well.
