Cornerback
CB1: Alontae Taylor, Terrell Bailey, Kenney Solomon
CB2: Bryce Thompson, Kenneth George, Jr., Maleik Gray
Nickel: Warren Burrell, Kenneth George Jr., Baylen Buchanan
Just like with the safety position, Tennessee’s two starters at cornerback are pretty well set. Sophomores Alontae Taylor and Bryce Thompson will be starting on the outside of the secondary unless there’s an injury or some unforeseen instance. Thompson has the versatility to play STAR and nickel as well.
But what about behind them and at nickelback?
Kenneth George Jr. is still on the team, and he could be in line for a spot in the two-deep somewhere in the secondary. Baylen Buchanan would be penciled in at the starting nickel spot if not for a nagging injury keeping him out of spring practices and the start of fall camp. If he’s healthy, he should be a part of the rotation there and could fill in for Taylor or Thompson as well. True freshman Warren Burrell showed potential at that spot in the fall.
In an ideal world, Taylor and Thompson won’t be off the field too much, and the nickel position gets solidified by two players at most.
