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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) /
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Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images /

We’ve now moved on from our starters who could be NFL prospects to some of the top prospects in next year’s NFL Draft no matter what. These guys are almost certain to gain recognition from pro scouts with their play. And Josh Palmer is the first guy on the list. As a freshman and sophomore, he appeared in every game for Tennessee football, starting in six in 2017 and eight in 2018.

This is a guy who is still learning the ropes of playing football, coming from Canada, so he was raw coming in. Switching from a spread to a pro-style only made things harder, but he still produced with 23 receptions for 484 yards and two touchdowns along with a rushing TD. Now, with Jim Chaney on campus, he’s playing for his third offensive coordinator in three years.

But Palmer has shown that if he can consistently learn a system he can become deadly. And the change has been easier this spring because the Vols have stayed in the pro-style. As a result, the 6’2″ 204-pound junior was the breakout star on offense and named most improved player. Heading into this season, that’s a huge deal.

Chaney loves to use a three-receiver set, and Palmer may have locked up the slot spot with Marquez Callaway and Jauan Jennings on the outside. As a result, he’s likely to make numerous big plays, and yes, that means NFL scouts will call.

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