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Tennessee football: 5 most important sophomores for 2018

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 18: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers throws a pass against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Neyland Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 18: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers throws a pass against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Neyland Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, AL – OCTOBER 21: Shawn Shamburger #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers loses his mouthguard as he reacts to a fumble by Irv Smith Jr. #82 of the Alabama Crimson Tide into the back of the end zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 21, 2017, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

No. 3 – Shawn Shamburger, Defensive Back

One of the shakiest and unknown positions on the teams is the defensive backs, and that is the position of Shawn Shamburger, the third-ranked player on the list. You can check out our post on ranking the position groups here.

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    • Even with how the position is so unknown, Shamburger could step up in a massive way for Jeremy Pruitt and become a shutdown corner. He played in four games last season and accounted for 14 solo tackles. Shamburger also had one sack on the season.

    If he wants to play and make an impact on the team, he is going to have to start proving he can be ‘the guy.’ The way freshman Alonte Taylor and Bryce Thompson are performing this fall, he could end up seeing more of the bench than the field.

    Pruitt has said time and time again that he is going to play the best players whether that is a freshman, senior, or someone in between. Shamburger will have to play better for the Vols to have success.

    However, we are willing to cut the defensive backs some slack. The coaching was so bad last season it could have played a part in the lack of success for that position group. Maybe under Pruitt, the defensive backs will show new life.

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