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Tennessee football 2020 preview by position: Vols DBs

By Caleb Calhoun

ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers discusses a play with Bryce Thompson #20 during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs on September 29, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers discusses a play with Bryce Thompson #20 during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs on September 29, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images /

Free safety

Jaylen McCullough; Sophomore; 6’0″ 205 pounds; Austell, Ga.

Last year, injuries thrust Jaylen McCullough into the starting free safety role for Tennessee football as a true freshman. However, he had already shown his potential The product of Hillgrove High School in Georgia was an early enrollee in 2019, became the defensive MVP of the spring game with two interceptions and had already appeared in every game.

Well, McCullough ended up starting the final six games of the year. All UT did was win all of those games and go from a 2-5 start to an 8-5 finish. McCullough had 33 tackles, three tackle for a loss, a sack and two pass breakups while earning PFF College All-Freshman Team honorable mention honors. This year, he could break out into a star, joining Bryce Thompson and Shawn Shamburger.

Strong safety

Theo Jackson; Senior; 6’2″ 190 pounds; Nashville, Tenn.

With the departure of Nigel Warrior, the Vols have an opening at safety, and lots of guys could compete for that role. However, Theo Jackson has been a reliable, versatile player in the system for three years and has earned the right to be a starter as a senior. Given the need for a veteran presence here, we are penciling in the Overton High School product for right now.

Jackson was fourth on the team last year with 53 tackles and also had an interception, a tackle for a loss and two pass breakups in 12 games. A physical safety who played in 12 games, Jackson would be a great complement to McCullough, who is definitely more of a coverage safety. As a result, he makes the most sense to start here.

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