Tennessee football: 10 Vols who could leave early for NFL after 2019

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a hand off from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

4 of 12

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

We go to the first likely starter on the list. A junior college transfer in the 2018 Tennessee football recruiting class, Jahmir Johnson worked his way into the rotation last year after a slew of injuries and eventually started 11 games. He was only a three-star, but the 6’5″ 270-pound prospect was courted specifically by Jeremy Pruitt, so there was plenty of reason to believe in his talent.

But this year, as he becomes a redshirt junior, he’s still having to fight to be in the rotation. Sure, he was on the first-team offense in the spring game. The arrival of Wanya Morris and return to health of Brandon Kennedy make for more competition, though. Trey Smith maybe return to health and the summer arrival of Darnell Wright also change things up.

Still, he’s going to be in contention for a starting position and has a solid chance to actually start. The new arrivals are all at center and tackle anyway, so Johnson, who is more of a guard, is actually still likely to be a starter.

And he’ll definitely be in the rotation. All of this means that if the line does improve, Johnson could truly emerge as a solid player. And if that happens, don’t be surprised if he leaves early for the pros. He has the potential.

Home/Vols Football