Tennessee football: Top 10 in-state Vols on 2019 roster

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 24: Jauan Jennings #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs up the sideline with a 67-yard touchdown reception against the Florida Gators in the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Florida 38-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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Dominick Wood-Anderson figures to be Tennessee football’s No. 1 option at tight end. And given the way Jim Chaney loves to use tight ends in the passing game, he is will likely see a ton of action. However, Jeremy Pruitt has always been very clear about wanting to run multiple tight ends. That’s where Austin Pope comes in.

Likely to be second on the depth chart throughout the year, Pope may end up being the main blocker at tight end at 6’4″ 234 pounds. And he is significantly ahead of everybody outside of Wood-Anderson. As a result, the Vols will rely on him quite a few times this year.

Pope showed last year that he can line up at fullback sometimes if needed and as a second tight end. Expect the coaches to use him even more in those situations this year with Eli Wolf now out of the picture.

The Knoxville native may not have Wood-Anderson’s receiving stats, but he’s still going to be a key player on the team, and that’s why we have him on the list. Pope is in line to start in 2020 after Wood-Anderson graduates, and this year is his year to develop and still be a major player in different offensive sets.

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