Tennessee football: Strongest metro areas for Vols on 2019 roster

8. Naples, Fla.

Tennessee football has two scholarship players from this South Florida metropolitan region who are entering their senior seasons on Rocky Top. Both are at skill positions, both have proven themselves to be solid producers, and both have practiced playing offensive and defensive positions at times.

However, they also both could end up slightly buried in the depth chart. Tyler Byrd is the most notable among these. Once a four-star recruit, he spent his first two years as a slot receiver. Jeremy Pruitt tried him out at defensive back last spring before moving him back to the slot.

Despite a tumultuous run, Byrd has produced at times. He did have a touchdown reception last year, and he’s one of those pure athletes that Jim Chaney may be able to find ways to involve in the offense this year. However, if not, Byrd could take a redshirt and wait for the receiving unit to clear up with three seniors on the depth chart.

Meanwhile, Carlin Fils-Aime enters as a senior running back. He also saw limited action at the position over the years but still managed to produce. Last season, Pruitt had him begin at defensive back as well before moving him back to running back, where he did get some carries down the stretch of the season.

This year, Fils-Aime may also be buried in the depth chart behind Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan. So a redshirt could help him start in the by-committee system next year if Chandler leaves early. Simply put, Byrd and Fils-Aime are potential contributors, but redshirting could make these two Naples players major factors next year.