Tennessee football: 10 Vols freshmen most likely to play early in 2018

Trevon Flowers is only a three-star true freshman. With so many other defensive backs, you would think he’s going to be buried in the depth chart. And there’s still a chance that happens this year. However, his speciality is why he’s on the list.

Flowers is the only member of the 2018 Tennessee football recruiting class who is a true safety. That’s his natural position. Meanwhile, the Vols are not as deep there as you might think. And it could become an issue if there are injuries.

Sure, Nigel Warrior is one guy. Todd Kelly Jr. is returning to health, and Micah Abernathy is back. But you want a four-man rotation. Although Theo Jackson would be the favorite for the final spot, Flowers has just as much a chance to compete there.

Remember, Flowers’s star-rating was likely held back because he didn’t participate in lots of the offseason camps. Baseball kept him from doing that. But he still managed to achieve this three-star rating, so the guy clearly has potential. A late bloomer, with more time he could have become a blue-chip. He could become a great player at the next level.

Combine Flowers’s skills set with how thin the Vols are at safety behind their three main guys, and there’s a chance he see action earlier than you think. That’s why Flowers is probably the biggest wildcard on this list. It may take an injury, but Jeremy Pruitt and Kevin Sherrer may need to be able to get him on the field quickly.