Vols’ Secondary Competition Nearing An End
By Zach Ragan
The Vols have just over a week until they kick off the 2014 season against the Utah State Aggies. That means the fiercely competitive position battles in the secondary, by default, are nearing their end.
Defensive backs coach Willie Martinez alluded to three possible starters on Thursday after practice. Martinez said that Justin Coleman, Cam Sutton and Brian Randolph have been “really solid”.
It’s reasonable to assume that Sutton and Randolph will start at cornerback and free safety, respectively, while Coleman should start at nickel.
That leaves the other cornerback position and strong safety as the remaining battles. True freshman Emmanuel Moseley and redshirt sophomore Michael Williams are battling it out for the starting cornerback job opposite Sutton.
Moseley’s been a standout player during fall camp and I think he will ultimately win the job. But Martinez did acknowledge the battle was “close”.
The other position battle, however, is a little muddier.
Junior LaDarrell McNeil, who started at strong safety in 2013, is trying to fend off sophomore Devaun Swofford and true freshman Todd Kelly.
McNeil has started 19 career games at Tennessee, including every game last season. But he’s being pushed by former walk-on Swofford, who started two games last season.
Swafford appears to currently have the edge, but you can’t count out newcomer Kelly either.
Martinez said on Thursday that Kelly has been “consistent” and prepares extremely well.
Kelly may very well end up being the future of the safety position for the Vols, but I don’t think he’ll be the starter when the Vols take the field on August 31.
Even though Swafford appears to be slightly ahead of McNeil at this point, I think it’s very, very hard to not start the guy that has 19 career starts.
Swafford will get plenty of playing time this season, but McNeil should be the guy that starts at strong safety against Utah State.