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Tennessee football’s top 10 injury concerns for 2020

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: Defensive back Baylen Buchanan #28 of the Tennessee Volunteers between plays during the game between the UTEP Miners and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-0. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: Defensive back Baylen Buchanan #28 of the Tennessee Volunteers between plays during the game between the UTEP Miners and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-0. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images /

Redshirt Senior. Baylen Buchanan. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defensive Back. 5. 839

We already discussed the depth issue when it came to nickel backs. Well, one player is a guy who can play nickel or cornerback, potentially starting at either when he’s healthy, and he had the most serious injury of any Tennessee football player last year. We’re talking, of course, about rising senior Baylen Buchanan, who is from Georgia and the son of former NFL player Ray Buchanan.

Of course, the first question is if Buchanan truly is back. He had to miss all of last year due to spinal stenosis, a serious condition involving the narrowing of the spine that requires surgery. As a result, he had to miss all of the 2019 season. Wes Rucker of GoVols247 reported recently that his medical status remains unclear, which obviously makes him a huge injury concern.

Simply put, the 2020 season for the product of Peachtree Ridge High School in Lawrenceville, Ga. who committed to Butch Jones back in 2016. We know Buchanan can play and is very smart. At 5’11” 197, his value when fully healthy matches that of Shawn Shamburger’s. He was the first freshman to have his helmet sticker removed for picking up the system so quickly in 2016.

Taking all this into account, Buchanan clearly provides real value to UT’s secondary. He could definitely be the other starting cornerback alongside Bryce Thompson over Alontae Taylor if he got back into football shape, and he can help out at nickel as well. With questions at safety, he may be able to contribute there also. For now, though, his health is the biggest concern.

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