One of Tennessee’s key defensive starters will be in action on Saturday against No. 3 Georgia, Jeremy Pruitt announced on the SEC Teleconference Wednesday afternoon.
Senior nickleback Shawn Shamburger “will play” against the Bulldogs Pruitt said. Shamburger did not play in Tennessee’s first two games of the season for reasons unknown.
The veteran defensive back who has played in 36 games and started 15, recorded a career-high 47 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception last season playing primarily at the STAR position. He also had two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries.
Shamburger signed with the Vols as a three-star recruit coming out of Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Georgia. He was named to he 2016 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class 7A Honorable Mention and All-Region 1-7A Utility Player of the Year. As a senior, he totaled 51 tackles (42 solo) with three tackles for loss, five interceptions, seven PBUs, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and half a sack. He also ran track in high school.
He made 11 appearances with one start in 2017 as a true freshman and finished with 19 tackles and one sack. Against No. 1 Alabama, he made his first career start and finished with 12 tackles and a sack.
As a sophomore in 2018, Shamburger appeared in 12 games with two starts. He finished the season with 11 tackles and two pass breakups.
No. 14 Tennessee and No. 3 Georgia is scheduled to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
