Vincent Dallas Seeing Time At Defensive Back For Vols

Nov 5, 2011; Knoxville, TN, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders cornerback Kenneth Gilstrap (18) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Vincent Dallas (6) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Remember that depth chart that was released prior to the start of fall camp?

You can pretty much throw that out the window now.

Injuries have played a major factor in the demolition of the depth chart, specifically at defensive line and defensive back.

As a result of the lack of depth at defensive back, junior wide receiver Vincent Dallas worked as a cornerback at practice on Monday.

Dallas is no stranger to the position and according to defensive coordinator John Jancek, he was more than willing to make the move.

"We’re trying to develop some depth at the position….he was more than willing. Great kid, very attentive, listened and picked up a couple things and this afternoon we’ll know a little bit more."

Of course when one unit gains a player, that means a unit loses a player. Wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni commented on Dallas’ time with the defense after practice on Monday.

"Those are personnel decisions that Coach Jones makes, with our situation at corner right now I think coach is just experimenting with him, trying to put the best player on the field."

Nothing is set in stone, so Dallas could still end up at wide receiver, but it’s looking very likely that he could be playing on the defensive side of the ball this fall. Tennessee has a lot of depth at wide receiver and not so much at defensive back.

Defensive back Riyahd Jones, a junior college transfer, has a knee injury, the extent of which has not addressed by the Vols’ coaching staff. Jones was said to be seen leaving the athletic complex on crutches after practice on Monday, unable to put any weight on his injured knee.

If Dallas does indeed end up playing on defense, then it will free up a spot in the wide receiver rotation. Dallas was one of the nine players we predicted Azzanni would like to play at receiver. The loss of Dallas could mean a true freshman like Josh Smith (who’s been working some with the starters) or Ryan Jenkins could make the rotation.

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