Tennessee football’s top five redshirt freshmen for 2020

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
2 of 6
Tennessee football
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Number of game played in 2019: 0

Despite being the more highly rated true freshman tight end last year, Jackson Lowe didn’t see any games for Tennessee football. In fact, he was the only true freshman on scholarship who has returned for this year and didn’t see any game time. Everybody else played two, three or maybe even four games. That’s a mark against Lowe and why he’s down here.

However, one of the players who saw action was a defensive tackle, and given how loaded that position is this year, he’s not likely to play. Lowe, who was as highly rated as a four-star on 247Sports, could certainly see action at tight end. Jeremy Pruitt has a need there, and new tight ends coach Joe Osovet will come in with a fresh slate, not looking at last year.

This position is wide open due to the departure of Dominick Wood-Anderson and the injury to Austin Pope, who was supposed to be the main guy there this year. As a result, the 6’4″ 245-pound graduate of Cartersville High School in Georgia is certain to get a look, and if he moves up the depth chart, Jim Chaney will definitely incorporate him into his offense.

Still, there is competition at the position with Princeton Fant there. Jacob Warren, who redshirted in 2018, is also a rising star at the position. Jordan Allen converting there makes it deeper as well, and then there’s another guy on this list who did play last year. That’s what keeps Lowe here.