Tennessee’s annual spring scrimmage, the Orange & White Game, kicks off on Saturday at 6:00 PM Eastern. Ahead of that, Tennessee released their official roster for the game, and it included indications of how the depth chart looks as the spring comes to a close.
The official Tennessee football Twitter account put out a graphic with the entire roster for the Orange and White teams for the Orange & White Game, and those rosters revealed who will be starting on both sides of the ball and who will be playing on the second team.
The White Team is comprised of the first team offense and second team defense while the Orange Team is comprised of the first team defense and the second team offense.
We take a look at what the Vols’ first and second team offenses and defenses look like based on that information. Included here are only the scholarship players, not any of the walk-ons on the roster (with the exception of the specialists).
First Team Offense and Defense
QB: Jarrett Guarantano
RB: Ty Chandler, Tim Jordan
WR: Marquez Callaway, Jauan Jennings, Josh Palmer, Brandon Johnson
TE: Dominick Wood-Anderson, Austin Pope, Princeton Fant
OL: Wanya Morris, Jahmir Johnson, Ryan Johnson, K’Rojhn Calbert, Marcus Tatum
DL: Emmit Gooden, Matthew Butler, Aubrey Solomon, John Mincey
OLB: Darrell Taylor, Deandre Johnson
ILB: Daniel Bituli, Shanon Reid, Solon Page III
CB: Alontae Taylor, Bryce Thompson
S: Nigel Warrior, Trevon Flowers, Theo Jackson, Cheyenne Labruzza
K: Brent Cimaglia
P: Joe Doyle
Not Expected to Play: RB Eric Gray, RB Carlin Fils-aime, OL Brandon Kennedy, OL Trey Smith, DB Baylen Buchanan
Of Note:
There’s only one quarterback listed on the first team offense, and that’s rising redshirt junior Jarrett Guarantano. That likely means he’ll get a ton of snaps on Saturday and will only be spelled (possibly) by a walk-on.
Only one true freshman is listed as a projected starter for the Vols on offense or defense who is healthy enough to play, and that’s offensive lineman Wanya Morris. It’s also worth noting that rising redshirt sophomore K’Rojhn Calbert, who’s been held back because of injuries so far in his career, is projected as a starter right now.
Princeton Fant is listed as the next tight end behind Dominick Wood-Anderson and Austin Pope, which is a little surprising since he was playing running back all last season.
There aren’t many surprises on defense except that Solon Page III is solidly in the two-deep right now and is on the first team defense.
Second Team Offense and Defense
QB: JT Shrout, Brian Maurer
RB: Jeremy Banks
WR: Tyler Byrd, Jordan Murphy, Jacquez Jones, Ramel Keyton, Cedric Tillman
TE: Jacob Warren, Jackson Lowe, James Brown
OL: Chris Akporoghene, Jerome Carvin, Riley Locklear, Ollie Lane, Nathan Niehaus
DL: Kingston Harris, LaTrell Bumphus, Ja’Quain Blakely, Greg Emerson
OLB: Jordan Allen, Kivon Bennett
ILB: Will Ignont, Quavaris Crouch
CB: Warren Burrell, Maleik Gray, Terrell Bailey
S: Deangelo Gibbs, Shawn Shamburger, Jaylen McCollough, Brandon Davis, Tyus Fields
K: Toby Wilson
P: Paxton Brooks
Not Expected to Play: LB J.J. Peterson, DL Kurott Garland
Of Note:
Because Eric Gray and Carlin Fils-aime are both out with injury, expect to see Jeremy Banks get a lot of touches at running back on the second team. It’ll also be worth watching and seeing how much run the younger wide receivers — Ramel Keyton and Cedric Tillman — get in comparison to Tyler Byrd and Jordan Murphy.
Linebacker J.J. Peterson won’t be participating most likely. He’s missed time this spring due to minor injuries, and he may be held out of Saturday’s game. That’s unfortunate news for him, as he could really use the snaps in a game-like environment.
Kivon Bennett has impressed coaches this spring, and he should see a decent amount of action at outside linebacker. He could end up overtaking Deandre Johnson or Jordan Allen if he has a strong game. Quavaris Crouch will likely start out at inside linebacker, but don’t be surprised if he takes some snaps at outside linebacker, too.
Deangelo Gibbs will stay on defense for the Orange & White Game, but don’t be shocked if you see him get some reps on offense, either.
