Tennessee football: Top 10 SEC stars 2019 Vols have to account for
Honorable Mentions
Rodrigo Blankenship
Kicker; Georgia Bulldogs
It’s hard to put kickers and punters on the main list. Tennessee football is looking to have the best kicker in the league in Brent Cimaglia this year, but for now, Rodrigo Blankenship is the biggest kicking weapon in the SEC. Tennessee’s games with Georgia often comes down to special teams, so they can’t let the senior be another huge advantage this year.
Cale Garrett
Linebacker; Missouri Tigers
Erroll Thompson and T.J. Brunson are star linebackers the Vols have to face this year, but Cale Garrett is a key defender for the Missouri Tigers. He had 106 tackles, six tackles for a loss and a sack last year along with a pass defended. In two games against UT, he’s got 12 tackles and two and a half tackles for a loss. The 6’3″ 230-pound senior will be a force again.
J.R. Reed
Defensive Back; Georgia Bulldogs
He’s not quite C.J. Henderson, but J.R. Reed is very versatile and good in his own right. He has four interceptions in two years along with seven tackles for a loss and two and a half sacks. In 2017 against the Vols, he had a tackle for a loss and an interception. So the 6’1″ 194-pound junior has torched Rocky Top in the past, and he could do it again.
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Tommy Townsend
Punter; Florida Gators
Again, kickers and punters can’t be on the real list. But similar to Rodrigo Blankenship, Tommy Townsend deserves a mention. Ironically a UT transfer after losing his job to Trevor Daniel, he averaged over 45 yards a punt last year. This year, the senior could be a huge difference if the Vols manage to make the Florida game close, so Joe Doyle will have to match Townsend.
Jaylen Waddle
Wide Receiver/Punt Returner; Alabama Crimson Tide
Jaylen Waddle had 45 receptions for 848 yards and seven touchdowns last year, and he added a punt return touchdown. He had one of this best games against the Tennessee football, with 117 yards and a touchdown. So the 5’10” 182-pound sophomore will be a force this year with more experience, and he could become a major threat.