Tennessee football: Ranking Vols 10 early enrollees for 2019 spring practice

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football is set at starting cornerback for at least the next two years with Bryce Thompson and Alontae Taylor provided there are no injuries. However, they may need help at nickel, and that leaves things open for Tyus Fields.

Now, to be clear, nickel is not a sure open spot. But there’s a possibility it will become one, specifically due to the lack of proven talent there and the need to move a couple of guys to safety. So Fields, a four-star cornerback, could be seeing a chance to get into the rotation early.

It’s not likely, and that’s why he’s still in the bottom half of the list. The point, though, is that as an early enrollee, Fields is at a position where he could make some noise with a solid spring. Jeremy Pruitt didn’t stack up his recruiting class with defensive backs for nothing.

As a result, keep an eye on what Fields is able to do this spring. There’s a chance he makes more noise than expected, especially with a new defensive backs coach. Hey, Pruitt turned to two freshmen to start last year at cornerback. Don’t count out the freshmen at the position this year either. They can provide immediate help.