Five strongest outside states for Tennessee football in 2020

4. South Carolina: 4 players (1 newcomer)

Key names: Bryce Thompson, Paxton Brooks

North Carolina could have made a run at South Carolina. Both states have three returning scholarship players. However, Tennessee football has two not just rotational players but clear-cut starters among those scholarship. The value they provide makes it clear that this is the superior Carolina for the Vols heading into 2020.

We can just start with Irmo, S.C. produce Bryce Thompson. There’s a chance that Thompson becomes the Vols best player this year entering his junior season at cornerback. Provided he doesn’t have anymore off-the-field issues, he could be an All-American.

Rising junior Paxton Brooks of Lexington, S.C. became the full-time punter and kickoff specialist down the stretch of last season, taking the job from Joe Doyle full-time. As a result, he’ll be half of the special teams heading into 2020.

Those two alone give South Carolina an advantage, but then there is rising sophomore defensive back Kenney Solomon. Last year, the Myrtle Beach, S.C. native appeared in 11 games and had an interception as a reserve. Like Tyus Fields, he could play a greater role in a much-improved secondary this year.

Four-star wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, also of Irmo, S.C., is a member of the Vols’ 2020 class and brings lots of hype. However, that unit is so loaded that he’ll likely take a redshirt or play sparingly this year. Still, he adds even more value to this roster. These four players easily put the state at No. 4 on this list.