Tennessee football: Strongest metro areas for Vols on 2019 roster

5. Moultrie, Ga.

We’re supposed to be ranking metropolitan areas, but Moultrie, Ga. couldn’t be left off the list. It’s what’s considered a micropolitan area: an central area in a region but still very small in population overall. Located in South Central Georgia, it’s too far west for Savannah and too far south for Macon or Atlanta.

As a result, Moultrie is it’s own little town in Colquitt County with a population of under 15,000. But three people who are part of that population have made their way to Rocky Top to become scholarship players for Tennessee football. And all of them come from Colquitt County High School.

The crazy part is all three players are from three different classes, committed to two different coaches and played three different positions. Redshirt junior defensive lineman Ja’Quain Blakely, junior defensive back Shawn Shamburger and redshirt freshman linebacker JJ Peterson are the guys in the mix.

Shamburger is the guy who has seen the most action of the three. However, he is likely to be on the second team in the secondary when the season starts, and a redshirt could help him come along. Meanwhile, Blakely still could be in the rotation at defensive end.

Finally, Peterson didn’t arrive early enough last year due to certain issues, so he took a redshirt and needed time to develop. The linebacker position is still stacked, but he could now see some action off the bench. He has the most potential to make an impact of the three. But all three of these guys have solid talent, and they’re representing this micro area well.