After Jalen McCullough made a splash as a freshman safety in the spring, Warren Burrell, a four-star cornerback in Tennessee football’s 2019 class, immediately made a splash in the fall. Patrick Brown of GoVols247 reported that he was already pushing sophomore Bryce Thompson and Alontae Taylor for a starting position, which is a huge deal.
Throughout fall camp, the 6’0″ 176-pound newcomer was making a splash and proving just how elite he was. He is a big part of the hype behind the depth of the Vols’ secondaru. However, now Burrell has an even bigger chance to see significant action, and it’s not due to situations anybody would prefer.
Over the weekend, Thompson was arrested for an altercation with his girlfriend and has been suspended indefinitely. A starting job he almost certainly wouldn’t have lost is now likely gone. Burrell is now listed as the other No. 1 cornerback competing with Shawn Shamburger to start alongside Taylor.
However, Baylen Buchanan, who was set to start at star, is also out, which results in Shamburger likely moving over to that spot. As a result, Burrell is now in perfect position to start throughout this season, and he has a chance to make a splash early, just as Thompson and Taylor did last year. He’s got great coaching with Jeremy Pruitt and Derrick Ansley. So watch out for this guy.