Tennessee football 2018 preview by position: Vols special teams

Projected starting kick returner

Ty Chandler; Sophomore; 5’11” 201 lbs; Nashville, Tenn.

Ty Chandler is the only other returning special teams player for Tennessee football. As the all-purpose back in what we figure to be a two-back set, he’s going to be the guy to star on kickoff returns once again. That only makes sense, and he started here in the spring game.

Chandler returned 17 kickoffs for 416 yards and a touchdown last year. So he has the speed and the talent to hold down the fort at this position. That was all as a freshman. He should be able to add to that this year.

Projected starting punt returner

Jordan Murphy; Sophomore; 6’0″ 177 lbs; Hattiesburg, Miss.

This was a bit of a shocker heading into the spring. But Jordan Murphy is a four-star receiver still buried in a loaded depth chart. As a result, you’ve got to get the guy on the field somehow. And punt returner is the spot to do it.

Murphy was the first-team punt returner for the Vols back in the spring game. But you never knew it because the first team offense was hardly punting. As a result, we don’t know how much he can do, but he is athletic and shifty. That’s a good combination, which is why we have him starting.

Other potential returners

Nigel Warrior; Junior; 6’0″ 188 lbs; Duluth, Ga.

Ty Chandler is the clear-cut starting kick returner. But if Jordan Murphy doesn’t start at punt returner, the coaches could look to Nigel Warrior. He saw action in the punt return game back in the spring as well. So don’t count him out.

Trey Coleman; Sophomore; 6’0″ 210 lbs; West Monroe, La.

Again, this is based on the spring game. Trey Coleman was the other guy to field kickoffs, so he could definitely see action there this year. Expect him to be the second guy in the backfield returning those kicks.

Marquez Callaway; Junior; 6’2″ 200 lbs; Warner Robins, Ga.

He is deadly in open space and saw action last year at returner. But it seems like Tennessee football wants to focus on Marquez Callaway at receiver this year.

Tim Jordan; Sophomore; 5’11” 203 lbs; Bartow, Fla.

Tim Jordan also saw action last year at returner. But the collection of talent the coaches are using there now buries him in the depth chart.

Tyler Byrd; Junior; 5’11” 200 lbs; Naples, Fla.

Once again, we’re at a guy who saw some action last year at returner. But Tyler Byrd just fielded one kickoff. And it’s likely the coaches want to use him more at receiver with the slot so thin this year. So he’s last on the depth chart here.