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Tennessee football ends year with more uncertainty than ever; Five questions

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs with the ball against the Florida Gators during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs with the ball against the Florida Gators during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Which seniors will come back?

This builds off our previous post. Given the COVID issues this year, the NCAA let players play without it counting against their eligibility. That means Tennessee football’s seniors can come back and play another season with the Vols, and there will undoubtedly be a few who do that.

The seniors have three options. They can move on, they can transfer like Jarrett Guarantano and Brandon Johnson, or they can come back and play for the Vols. After we find out about the players who transfer, which players will come back and play for the Vols? It’s not likely Trey Smith comes back. His comments all week make it pretty clear he’s gone, and he should go.

However, outside of Smith, no other senior has guaranteed NFL prospects right now and could use another year to improve their draft stock. Could Brandon Kennedy come back for a seventh year after earning a sixth year of eligibility this year? What about offensive weapons like Ty Chandler and Josh Palmer?

On defense, the entire line could be back, although Matthew Butler is likely to be gone as well. It’s not likely anybody leaves early for the NFL Draft, which is why that’s not a question on here, but seniors deciding to come back will be a big story going forward.

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