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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 Ed Zurga/Getty Images
Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images /

Defensive end

1. Matthew Butler; Senior

No matter what package Jeremy Pruitt runs, there’s always one starter on the line at defensive end. Matthew Butler is clearly that guy for Tennessee football. Last year, Butler helped continue a tradition Leonard Little started of elite outside linemen from North Carolina.

The 6’4″ 289-pound Raleigh, N.C. product was a by-committed starter, but he led all linemen with 45 tackles. Included in those were three tackles for a loss, two and a half sacks and two pass deflections. This year, he’s likely to be more of the feature starter, so he could become a star.

2. LaTrell Bumphus; Senior

Honestly, LaTrell Bumphus should redshirt just so he has a year to himself. After playing multiple positions, he settled in last year, once again as a by-committee starter. With limited experience in this role, the 6’4″ 286-pound Savannah, Tenn. native played in 11 games and had six starts.

For the year, Bumphus had an incredible six tackles for a loss and two sacks. He also added 23 total tackles, proving himself to be the elite playmaker of these ends. If he redshirts this year, he could start by himself in 2021 with even more experience. Otherwise, though, he’s No. 2 in 2020.

3. Ja’Quain Blakely; Redshirt senior

For the times Pruitt and Derrick Ansley run a nickel defense, there will need to be a second backup defensive end. If Bumphus takes our advice and redshirts, John Mincey would be that guy. Otherwise, Ja’Quain Blakely will step into the role. At 6’2″ 295 pounds, Blakley played every game last year and had the goal-line tackle to stop the Kentucky Wildcats in the Vols’ 17-13 win.

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