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Projecting Tennessee football’s 2020 depth chart

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a hand off from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a hand off from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

Defensive tackle

1. Aubrey Solomon; Senior

He had to wait until the week of the opener to receive his eligibility waiver after transferring from the Michigan Wolverines last year, but over time, Aubrey Solomon developed into a very good defensive tackle. In Jeremy Pruitt’s and Derrick Ansley’s scheme, this position lines up in the middle with the nose tackle in the nickel package but on the end in the 3-4.

Solomon appeared in 12 games and started nine of them. At 6’5″ 315 pounds, he had 28 tackles, three tackles for a loss, two sacks, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery. He got better as the season went on, and by the end of the year, he proved himself as an elite defensive tackle. As a result, heading into this year, he’ll be the feature player at that position.

2. Darel Middleton; Senior

Throughout the course of the season, Darel Middleton was beginning to show his increased value even over Solomon. The 6’7″ 305-pound junior college transfer had six starts and appeared in 13 games, and with his incredible size, he also had 28 tackles. Middleton added two tackles for a loss and a sack while forcing a fumble and blocking a kick.

However, an offseason legal issue keeps us from starting Middleton. The dismissal of Emmit Gooden, who was slated to be here, also opens this role up. If Middleton’s legal issue keeps him off the field at least for this year, though, then Savion Williams, another senior, could emerge. Watch for him. At this point, though, Middleton is the slated No. 2 guy.

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