Former Tennessee cornerback Warren Burrell had a topsy turvy five-year career in Knoxville. He started eight total games in his first two seasons and then 12 games in during his junior season in 2021.
But Burrell’s role diminished at the end of his Tennessee career. He suffered an injury that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season and then played in defense in just five games as a reserve cornerback for the Vols during the 2023 season.
As Burrell’s role diminished at Tennessee, he still had a major role on special teams. That’s something he’s looking to take with him after transferring to Georgia Tech this offseason for his final season of college eligibility.
“I like special teams. That’s something I got to give credit to the coaches I had up there at Tennessee for that as well,” Burrell told reporters on Friday. “I was lucky enough to have a great coach in Coach Ekeler, shoutout to him back at Tennessee, that really emphasized special teams and gave me perspective of the importance of it.
“It don’t matter how good you play on offense or defense. Special teams will win or lose you a game. So that’s something that I always try to take pride in regardless of where I’m at on it. It’s an opportunity to make a play and you always have to take advantage of those.”
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Tennessee’s special teams have been strong under head coach Josh Heupel and special teams coach Mike Ekeler. The Vols have had a strong return game over the last three years and besides a few blimps have been good across the board.
The most notable game that Tennessee won because of special teams was last year against Texas A&M. Tennessee pinned the Aggies at the one-yard line with a punt, forced a three-and-out and then Dee Williams returned the ensuing punt for a touchdown to give Tennessee the lead.
Over the course of his five-year career at Tennessee, Burrell totaled 91 tackles, nine pass break ups and one interception. His best season was Heupel’s first when he totaled 41 tackles and seven pass deflections. Burrell’s lone interception of his career came in Tennessee’s win over UTSA last season.
Burrell wasn’t going to start at corner for Tennessee this season but after losing a pair of players to professional football and a few others to the transfer portal, Burrell would have been a strong depth piece in the two-deep for the Vols.
