All for Tennessee
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 24
Next
Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images
Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images /

Slot receiver

1. Velus Jones Jr.; Redshirt senior

Jeremy Pruitt hasn’t utilized this position too much over the past two years. However, he didn’t seem to have the right guy for it. With Tyler Byrd gone, USC Trojans graduate transfer Velus Jones Jr. is the favorite to start here. Jones played for Tee Martin at USC and now is being coached by Martin and Jim Chaney, giving him a great chance to flourish.

The 6’0″ 190-pound speedster is the perfect player to fill the slot role for Tennessee football. Whenever the Vols go to a three-wide receiver set, he will easily complement the two wideouts, and he has proven himself when healthy. Jones’ best year in the slot at USC was 2018, when he had 266 receiving yards and a touchdown. As the feature guy there this year, though, he’ll shine.

2. Deangelo Gibbs; Redshirt junior

Back in 2019, Deangelo Gibbs transferred to Rocky Top from the Georgia Bulldogs. He is a two-sided athlete who got looks at defensive back and wide receiver. While sitting out last year and taking a transfer redshirt, though, Pruitt decided he was best on offense. As a result, he’s now in great position to be a major weapon for the Vols at receiver this year.

Gibbs is another speedster in this role. At 6’1″ 200 pounds, he is also physical, evidenced by his ability to play on defense in Kirby Smart’s system. Jones will be the starter this year, but look for Gibbs to become an impact player with his redshirt lifted.

Home/Vols Football