All for Tennessee
Fansided

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

By Caleb Calhoun

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)
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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 12
Next
Tennessee football
Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images /

After losing Alexis Johnson, Shy Tuttle and Kyle Phillips on the defensive line, Tennessee football was going to have some wide open competition for players up front. At the two defensive tackle spots, there is still competition.

Emmit Gooden has one spot locked up, but then you have two junior college transfers and Aubrey Solomon fighting to be eligible this year all among the players who could get that second spot. The defensive end spot, however, was locked up. John Mincey could make a push for that or at defensive tackle, but it’s almost a sure bet that Matthew Butler is going to replace Phillips.

With multiple elite pass rushers at linebacker, Butler is going to have a chance to make a ton of big plays as the resident defensive end in the 3-4 scheme. All the Vols need to see happen is for the defensive tackles to somewhat keep up the productivity after losing so much. Doing that should allow for Butler to be a splash playmaker, and the coaches already love him.

Butler is one of the leading candidates to have a breakout season, and he gave a preview with a sack in the spring game. If he steps it up even more during game time, then you can bet the 6’4″ 285-pound junior will get a few calls from pro scouts. So yes, he is in great position to get NFL recognition during 2019 as an underclassman.

Home/Vols Football