Honorable Mentions
Trevon Flowers (Sophomore)
Defensive Back; Tucker, Ga.
Coming from the Georgia pipeline, Trevon Flowers is so close to be the final secondary guy on our list, completing the unit. He’s likely to be the other starter at safety. However, he still hasn’t proven enough yet to make the list, despite the projections of his elite talent, so we have to keep him here for now.
Brandon Johnson (Senior)
Wide Receiver; Plantation, Fla.
Brandon Johnson, Jordan Murphy and Tyler Byrd are all left out of the equation in the receiver rotation. Byrd and Johnson are seniors from the Florida pipeline. However, Johnson is the proven one. He led Tennessee football in receiving in 2017, and that’s why he’s an honorable mention. There’s a chance he could see a good bit of action again this year if things go a certain way.
Brandon Kennedy (r-Senior)
Offensive Lineman; Wetumpka, Ala.
When it comes to out-of-state starting offensive lineman, Jahmir Johnson needs to show improvement. Wanya Morris and Darnell Wright are freshmen, and they and Trey Smith’s health keep Marcus Tatum’s starting status is in limbo. But Brandon Kennedy is a starter from Alabama who shows lots of potential. He missed last year due to injury, so he’s an honorable mention.
Darrin Kirkland Jr., (r-Senior)
Linebacker; Indianapolis, Ind.
Darrin Kirkland Jr. is the Trey Smith of this group. If he’s fully healthy, he makes the list. And that would lock up the Midwest as well, the one area on this list where Tennessee football is lacking. Kirkland is a very smart linebacker who would be the perfect complement to Daniel Bituli on the inside. Shanon Reid and Solon Page III bring talent, but Kirkland brings that reliability as a senior.
Aubrey Solomon (Junior)
Defensive Tackle; Leesburg, Ga.
Aubrey Solomon joins Kirkland as a guy who could be on this list, but his status is in questions in two ways. Once a five-star Georgia prospect, the Michigan Wolverines transfer may not be eligible to play this year. But he’s also not proven much at the college level yet. We have him on here because of his unlimited potential and what he proved in the spring.