Tennessee football 2019 preview by position: Vols tight ends

Projected backups

1. Andrew Craig

Redshirt junior; 6’4″ 244 lbs; Knoxville, Tenn.

Andrew Craig joins Austin Pope and Dominick Wood-Anderson as Tennessee football’s veteran tight ends. He’s a rare walk-on who has become a valuable player to provide depth. Like Pope, he can play fullback, and he saw action in 11 games last year. As a primary blocker, his experience will make him the top tight end off the bench, especially to help UT go big.

2. Princeton Fant

Redshirt sophomore; 6’2″ 232 lbs; Nashville, Tenn.

Jeremy Pruitt has tried out Princeton Fant at linebacker and running back, but he appears to have settled in at tight end. Despite being undersized, Fant could bring Tennessee football real versatility at tight end, as he is clearly athletic. So the Vols will probably use him, given a full offseason of experience, as their top receiving tight end off the bench.

3. Jacob Warren

Redshirt freshman; 6’6″ 241 lbs; Knoxville, Tenn.

A Butch Jones commitment, Jacob Warren stayed on board when Pruitt took over. He has the best size of anybody at tight end with his 6’6″ 241-pound frame, and he also has the most potential. So he could move into a surprise starting role. We just have him here right now because of his lack of experience.

4. Jackson Lowe

Freshman; 6’4″ 249 lbs; Cartersville, Ga.

Jeremy Pruitt’s first ever commitment at tight end, Jackson Lowe was also an early enrollee. So he should be acclimated to Jim Chaney’s system somewhat at this point. However, lack of experience keeps him here for now, but his future on Rocky Top is great.

5. Sean Brown

Freshman; 6’5″ 241 lbs; Rome, Ga.

Sean Brown is the one Tennessee football tight end with no experience playing in Jim Chaney’s system or in a college pro-style offense in general. As a result, despite being a very solid pickup for Pruitt, the Vols will have him at the bottom of the depth chart this year as he develops. But again, his potential is great.