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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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images /

Strong Safety

1. Theo Jackson; Senior

For three years, Theo Jackson has been the ultimate team player. Over the past two years under Jeremy Pruitt, he has played whatever position he was asked to play. As a result, with the departure of Nigel Warrior at strong safety, he has earned the right to have a year to himself as a starter for Tennessee football, and while it may be sentimental, that’s why we project him here.

At 6’2″ 190 pounds, this Nashville product has proven himself to be very physical over the years and very reliable. He had 53 tackles last year to go along with an interception, a tackle for a loss and two pass breakups while appearing in 12 games. We should note he had five starts as well to fill different holes throughout the year. Another utility back, we have him starting here for 2020.

2. Trevon Flowers; Junior

A big reason for Theo Jackson earning the starting role is the injury to Trevon Flowers. Last year, Flowers had emerged as the starting free safety at 5’11’ 193 pounds but then suffered a broken leg on an interception against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, ending his season. Coming into this year, we have him as the No. 3 safety overall, but he’s got to get back into shape.

Flowers is listed here just as the backup strong safety since Jaylen McCullough clearly has the free safety position locked up. There is the chance that McCullough moves over to strong safety, at which point we’ll have these two at free safety. They are interchangeable, but what’s clear is that Flowers will likely enter the season behind Jackson needing to get back into football shape.

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