Tennessee football 2019 preview by position: Vols special teams

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images /

Projected starters among kickers

Brent Cimaglia – Place-kicker

Junior; 6’0″ 210 lbs; Nashville, Tenn.

After years of Aaron Medley being automatic under 40 but erratic beyond 40, Tennessee football may have a steal in Brent Cimaglia. Last year, he didn’t have too many opportunities on field goals, but he went 10-of-13 on the year. On top of that, he was 4-of-6 beyond 40. We also know he has the leg since he hit a 51-yarder as a freshman.

As a result, Cimaglia has shown a bit of superstar potential early on as a place-kicker. He didn’t miss any extra points either. So entering his junior year, only his second year as the full-time starter, he’s got this spot locked up.

Joe Doyle – Punter

Redshirt sophomore; 6’0″ 204 lbs; Knoxville, Tenn.

Following in Trevor Daniel’s shoes, Joe Doyle continued the tradition of shocking the world as a walk-on punter by winning the job over a highly rated freshman recruit. He was erratic at times, but that’s common for first year punters at the college level.

Still, he averaged 41.1 yards a punt, had 23 of his 65 attempts downed inside the 20, had 28 of his punts fair-caught, and nailed 12 beyond 50 yards with a long of 71. He earned USA TODAY Freshman All-American honors in the process. Doyle clearly has potential and is expecting to carry the torch of Punter U into his sophomore year.

Projected starting long-snapper

Riley Lovingood

Redshirt senior; 6’0″ 220 pounds; 

He’s been the long-snapper on punts for the past three years, even sharing SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in 2016 after downing a punt inside the five-yard line that set up a go-ahead touchdown for the Vols in the Hail Mary game against the Georgia Bulldogs. This year, Riley Lonvingood is the only returning starting snapper. As a result, we have him as the only projected starting snapper for now unless somebody emerges as a snapper on field goals, which is now open with Elijah Medford gone.

Projected starters among returners

Ty Chandler – Kick returner

Junior; 5’11” 201 lbs; Nashville, Tenn.

Despite running kickoff returners by committee last year, Ty Chandler still got the bulk of the returns that emerged. He had seven returns for 113 yards overall. Remember, as a freshman, he had 17 returns for 416 yards and scored a touchdown in the second game of his career.

Kickoff returns are now limited with the new rules, but Chandler is the Vols’ best player in open space. As a result, if he gets a chance he could make a huge impact. So for now, we still have him as the top kick returner.

Marquez Callaway – Punt returner

Senior; 6’2″ 204 lbs; Warner Robins, Ga.

Despite being an elite receiver, Marquez Callaway was Tennessee football’s only All-SEC guy as a returner. But it does make senses, as he returned 14 punts for 166 yards and a touchdown, his second career punt return touchdown.

Callaway is a very fast guy who is skilled with the ball in open space. As a result, he’ll be the Vols’ top punt returner again this year. In fact, he’s one guy who can really make the return game a huge advantage for Rocky Top once again.