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Tennessee football: Tracking seniors, transfers, departures, returnees for 2021

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) celebrates with Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 17, 2020.Kns Ut Football Kentucky Bp
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) celebrates with Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 17, 2020.Kns Ut Football Kentucky Bp /
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KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 14: Shawn Shamburger #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates on the field after defeating the Chattanooga Mockingbirds at Neyland Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 14: Shawn Shamburger #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates on the field after defeating the Chattanooga Mockingbirds at Neyland Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

Seniors returning to Vols for 2021

Matthew Butler

  • Defensive lineman
  • 6’4″ 291 pounds
  • Raleigh, N.C.

Kenneth George Jr.

  • Defensive back
  • 5’11” 200 pounds
  • Lafayette, La.

Velus Jones Jr.

  • Wide receiver
  • 6’0″ 200 pounds
  • Saraland, Ala.

Darel Middleton

  • Defensive lineman
  • 6’7″ 305 pounds
  • Knoxville, Tenn.

Austin Pope

  • Tight end
  • 6’4″ 235 pounds
  • Knoxville, Tenn.

Shawn Shamburger

  • Defensive back
  • 5’11” 187 pounds
  • Mobile, Ala.

Defensive end Matthew Butler tweeted his decision to return Monday, Jan. 11. Three days earlier, cornerback Kenneth George Jr. tweeted his intent to return. On Jan. 4, Velus Jones Jr. tweeted he would return. Jones was a graduate transfer from the USC Trojans this past year, and George was a junior college transfer from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas in 2018.

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We’re assuming defensive tackle Darel Middleton is sticking to his word. Middleton had a series of tweets back on Sept. 15, including this one, confirming his intent to play in 2020 and 2021. Nickel Shawn Shamburger had entered the transfer portal but withdrew one day later, initially reported by Matt Zenitz of AL.com, and his withdrawal implies he’s coming back.

Austin Pope initially announced he had entered the transfer portal on Twitter back on Dec. 21. However, Austin Price of VolQuest reported he withdrew from the transfer on Sunday, Jan. 17. Ryan Callahan of GoVols247 reported Pope confirmed the return. Jimmy Hyams tweeted, though, that he wants to be more involved in the passing game, which could complicate things.

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There are still plenty of Tennessee football seniors whose decisions are up in the air, but Butler and Shamburger are the two most significant returnees on this list. The Vols could definitely use Shamburger, who only played three games this past season, back at full strength. Butler is the most consistent pass rusher.

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