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Meet the Tennessee Football Newcomers: Vols CB Marquez Callaway

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 15, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium during the first half of the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium during the first half of the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here is an analysis of incoming 2016 Tennessee football recruit Marquez Callaway, who joins the Vols as a cornerback.

After a couple of injuries last year hampered the secondary, Butch Jones is clearly doing everything in his power to make sure that never is a problem again.

And by focusing the 2016 recruiting class on building up depth, he succeeded in bringing in Marquez Callaway.

Sticking with the Georgia pipeline, Callaway comes out of Warner Robins High School in Warner Robins, Ga. At 6’2″ 185 pounds, Callaway committed less than a month before National Signing Day this past year, with Zach Azzanni and Tommy Thigpen doing the heavy lifting in his recruitiment for the Volunteers.

Callaway is a four-star on Rivals who played both sides of the ball, cornerback and wide receiver, in high school, which is why he is listed as an athlete.

He chose Tennessee over other major SEC programs like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Georgia, and along with in-state school Georgia Tech. Here’s a look at how he fits in with the Vols.

Early Analysis

Having played both sides of the ball, one thing is sure about Callaway: he has got amazing hands. As a guy likely to play in the secondary in Knoxville, he will have no trouble coming down with interceptions if he is in the right vicinity.

Callaway also clocked in a 4.5 40-time in high school, a number that could get better in time. His breakaway speed was shown with him playing receiver, and he should have the same skills playing cornerback.

He is very good at reading the quarterback on defense, and his willingness to get physical, while not on display often, is evident based on his heavy focus on blocking if he’s not catching the ball.

All of this gives Callaway the total package to play cornerback. About the only thing holding him back is his need to learn that he can’t get away with the same things athletically in college that he did in high school.

Often, Callaway played in front of receivers knowing he could back pedal to get interceptions. That won’t work as well in college. However, he’s got the right coaches to develop him for that, so the adjustment should not take too long.

What Marquez Callaway Brings to Tennessee

This one’s obvious. The Vols get another elite cornerback.

With Cam Sutton gone after this year, Tennessee will need another elite player at the position. And with the nickel packages they use now, two elite players is desirable.

Book it here. Marquez Callaway will be an elite talent. He has already shown the total package in college and has very few weaknesses in his game. And he is clearly a team player.

As long as Callaway can adjust to the speed of the college game and show a little more patience, he will certainly be seeing lots of playing time in 2017 and will be starting for sure in 2018.

Anybody who has seen him can say that with supreme confidence.

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