All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Five Vols to watch for against Kentucky

By Dean Zulkofske

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Deandre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after forcing a fumble during the second half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Deandre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after forcing a fumble during the second half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
ATHENS, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 10: Kearis Jackson #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches this touchdown reception against Jaylen McCollough #22 and Shawn Shamburger #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Sanford Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 10: Kearis Jackson #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches this touchdown reception against Jaylen McCollough #22 and Shawn Shamburger #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Sanford Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Defensive back. Shawn Shamburger. 839. Pick Analysis. Senior. 2. player. Scouting Report

5’11” 190 pounds; Hometown: Mobile, Ala.

After missing the first two games of the season for undisclosed reasons, Tennessee football fans were excited to hear the news that Shawn Shamburger would make his debut in Athens, Ga against the Bulldogs. His return was desperately needed.

More from Vols Football

In 2019, Shamburger played in all thirteen games and started twelve of them as UT’s nickel back.  During that span, Shamburger tallied 47 total tackles and earned the highest grade among nickel corners in covering slot receivers.

Without Shamburger available Week 1, Jeremy Pruitt turned to true freshman Doneiko Slaughter to cover South Carolina’s slot receiver, Shi Smith. Despite UT escaping Columbia, S.C. with a win, Smith caught 10 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown.

Flash forward to this past Saturday, even with Shamburger in the lineup, Georgia slot receiver Kearis Jackson caught for 91 yards and a touchdown. Though the defense was on the field for much too long, the Vols’ secondary continued to be a weakness even with all of the top defensive backs on the field.

This week, Kentucky wideout Akeem Hayes will likely be filling the slot role for the Wildcats. Hayes has four receptions for 56 yards on the entire season, but his recently voiced displeasure with Kentucky’s play-calling may just get him more targets in Knoxville.

Vols top five performers in 44-21 loss at Georgia. light. Related Story

Last week is behind Shamburger and the rest of Tennessee football’s secondary. They have a chance here to get back in the win column and make a defensive statement against a run-heavy Kentucky Wildcats team. Look for Shamburger to remind fans and coaches why he was labeled as one of Rocky Top’s best-returning players going into this season.

Home/Vols Football