Tennessee football recruiting: 5 Vols signees for 2019 who could contribute early

Tennessee football lost Micah Abernathy and Todd Kelly Jr. last year. Although Nigel Warrior is returning, they have no other proven performers at safety. Only Theo Jackson and Trevon Flowers have played any significant time there. But Flowers battled injuries, and Jackson has a bit more to prove for the Vols.

With Bryce Thompson, Baylen Buchanan, Alontae Taylor and Marquill Osborne in the cornerback rotation, there’s an opening for the other safety starting job. And Jaylen McCollough is the guy with the best chance to fill that void.

A four-star safety out of Powder Springs, Ga., the 6’1″ 190-pound prospect is a very physical safety who has a ton of quickness. His versatility is exactly what Jeremy Pruitt and Kevin Sherrer need at the position, and there is a clear need.

Aaron Beasley and Anthony Harris could also be on this list, but Beasley is technically an athlete who could get a look elsewhere, and he also needs to develop a bit more. Meanwhile, Harris hasn’t yet signed.

That leaves McCollough as the one guy among the six defensive backs to sign with the Vols who is a true safety and could immediately make an impact. Pruitt showed last year he’s willing to start true freshmen in the secondary. Don’t sleep on McCollough as a result.