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Tennessee football: 10 safest starting spots on 2020 roster

By Caleb Calhoun

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 02: Henry To'o To'o #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against the Indiana Hoosiers at TIAA Bank Field on January 2, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. Tennessee defeated Indiana 23-22. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 02: Henry To'o To'o #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against the Indiana Hoosiers at TIAA Bank Field on January 2, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. Tennessee defeated Indiana 23-22. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

Scouting Report. Shawn Shamburger. player. Pick Analysis. Senior. Mobile, Ala.. 3. 839

Nickel

Sticking with the secondary, there’s one other sure spot where one player will likely take all the snaps. Shawn Shamburger was actually Tennessee football’s most effective player last year, not allowing a touchdown all season just like Bryce Thompson while actually playing more snaps than Thompson. There’s a reason Pro Football Focus has him as UT’s best returning player.

However, that alone is not why the product of Alabama who went to high school in Georgia is likely to resume the role he had last year at nickel. Shamburger also has no real competition. Returning fifth-year senior Baylen Buchanan will need to miss another season as he continues to recover from his spinal stenosis, which also kept him out last season.

As a result, 5’11” graduate of Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Ga. is arguably the Vols’ best player with the least amount of competition. Shamburger also has no real injury issues, so he’s the first guy on this list with absolutely no drawbacks to starting. Add in his proven experience, and it’s clear why we have him so high up here.

Cheyenne Labruzza and Theo Jackson are likely to be the ones to compete with Shamburger, and the loser in the potential battle between Alontae Taylor and Kenneth George Jr. could also find his way there. But none of them will take Shamburger’s spot. They won’t even compete for it.

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