Tennessee football: Five key 2020 Vols who were three-star recruits

GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

839. Scouting Report. Defensive Back. Shawn Shamburger. 3. player. Pick Analysis. Senior

Surprisingly, Shawn Shamburger has consistently been seeing action for Tennessee football’s secondary since 2017. He’s played safety, nickel and cornerback at different times, but last year, with Baylen Buchanan needing season-ending surgery, Shamburger settled in at nickel. He is now the veteran there, and the Vols need him desperately.

With the loss of Nigel Warrior and then Trevon Flowers and Buchanan both needing to get back in shape after coming off an injury, Shamburger is one of four other proven guys returning. The others are cornerbacks Bryce Thompson and Alontae Taylor along with safety Jaylen McCullough. The secondary needs five spots filled plus depth, making Shamburger a big deal.

He is a Georgia prospect who came out of Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, and despite being a three-star, the 5’11” 185-pound rising senior is now generating lots of NFL hype. In fact, forget about needs and filling voids. Shamburger may deserve to be on her specifically due to his own merits as a player.

Pro Football Focus listed Shamburger as the Vols’ top returning player, and while that may be a surprise to some, the site noted that he was fourth in the nation and led the SEC with just two-thirds of a yard allowed per coverage snap played. He also had 47 tackles, four and a half tackles, three sacks, an interception and three pass deflections. So he made plays and shut people down.