Tennessee football 2019 preview by position: Vols secondary

Projected backups at cornerback

1. Shawn Shamburger

Junior; 5’11” 187 lbs; Mobile, Ala.

If Baylen Buchanan does not hold onto the nickel spot, Shawn Shamburger will take it. He’s probably the most versatile defensive back on the list, and he has two years of experience, so he’s likely to see some action at cornerback before anybody, and that’s why we have him at the top of the list.

2. Cheyenne Labruzza

Redshirt sophomore; 5’11” 185 lbs; Albany, La.

Cheyenne Labruzza joins Shamburger as one of the few Tennessee football cornerbacks who have some playing experience. He’s another guy who could see action even at nickel, and he and Shamburger will both be guys who see the field at cornerback when Bryce Thompson and Alontae Taylor need a rest.

3. Kenneth George Jr.

Redshirt junior; 5’11” 201 lbs; Lafayette, La.

Before suffering a season-ending injury, Kenneth George Jr. showed some promise in four games last year. However, that injury set back any development he may have had, so heading into fall camp he’s the No. 3 backup cornerback on this list.

4. Terrell Bailey

Redshirt sophomore; 5’11” 188 lbs; New Orleans, La.

A physical defensive back, Terrell Bailey could be a very good utility cornerback after spending last year at outside linebacker. However, he’ll probably need a year to develop at the position, which is why we have him No. 4 on our list.

5. Tyus Fields

Freshman; 5’10” 186 lbs; Cornelius, N.C.

One of the four-star commitments to this class, Tyus Fields further did himself favors by being an early enrollee. As a result, he’s the top freshman cornerback on our depth chart right now, but don’t count out his ability to move up the list.

6. Warren Burrell

Freshman; 6’0″ 176 lbs; Suwanee, Ga.

Warren Burrell actually ties Tyus Fields as a top freshman cornerback given how he is also a four-star commitment and early enrollee. But Fields’s four-star rating was more unanimous, so right now, all we have to put Fields at No. 5 is recruiting analysis. Both could move up the list, though.

7. Brandon Davis

Redshirt freshman; 5’10” 160 lbs; New Orleans, La.

Brandon Davis was a two-star commitment in the Vols’ 2018 recruiting class. So after taking a redshirt, his projected limited talent still keeps him near the bottom of this list, especially with his weight at 160 pounds. So he provides depth but not much else.

8. Kenney Solomon

Freshman; 6’0″ 168 lbs; Myrtle Beach, S.C.

A February signee in this class, Kenney Solomon was a three-star recruit and not an early enrollee. So he’s likely to be down on the list for this year while he needs time to develop. Fields has good size but needs to add some weight.