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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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Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Seniors who haven’t made a decision yet

Ja’Quain Blakely

  • Defensive lineman
  • 6’2″ 285 pounds
  • Moultrie, Ga.

LaTrell Bumphus

  • Defensive lineman
  • 6’3″ 290 pounds
  • Savannah, Tenn.

Brent Cimaglia

  • Place kicker
  • 6’0″ 210 pounds
  • Nashville, Tenn.

Brett Graham

  • Punter
  • 6’3″ 210 pounds
  • State College, Pa.

Nick Humphrey

  • Linebacker
  • 6’1″ 210 pounds
  • Monroe, Mich.

Theo Jackson

  • Defensive back
  • 6’2″ 203 pounds
  • Nashville, Tenn.

Jahmir Johnson

  • Offensive lineman
  • 6’5″ 300 pounds
  • Philadelphia, Pa.

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Brandon Kennedy

  • Offensive lineman
  • 6’3″ 300 pounds
  • Wetumpka, Ala.

Riley Locklear

  • Offensive lineman
  • 6’4″ 300 pounds
  • Huntington, W. Va.

Dawson Stephens

  • Offensive lineman
  • 6’1″ 320 pounds
  • Kathleen, Ga.

Aubrey Solomon

  • Defensive lineman
  • 6’5″ 315 pounds
  • Leesburg, Ga.

Five players on this list were redshirt seniors: Ja’Quain Blakely, Brett Graham, Jahmir Johnson, Brandon Kennedy and Dawson Stephens. Of those, Kennedy stands out. Tennessee football’s starting center earned a sixth year of eligibility last year, but you have to wonder if he could get a seventh year. Johnson and Blakely were reliable players at their position UT could use back as well.

Brent Cimaglia stands out, as he was an elite place kicker before this past year, when he apparently battled injuries. His return at 100 percent could be huge, much more than Graham’s who was a backup punter. With the loss of Bryce Thompson, the secondary could use Theo Jackson back as well. Stephens and Nick Humphrey were walk-ons.

Like Johnson, Riley Locklear was a reliable rotational player on the offensive line, and he’d be very helpful this year with the departures of Trey Smith and Wanya Morris. Staying in the trenches, LaTrell Bumphus only started in five games, but he’s proven he could be an elite rusher off the edge, and Aubrey Solomon will help with the depth in the middle at defensive line.

Next. Vol football's 10 biggest storylines of 2020. dark

Taking all this into account, Cimaglia, Kennedy, Locklear, Johnson, Solomon and Bumphus are all the most desired returnees. Blakely and Jackson would help as well. Whether or not any of them stay with Tennessee football, though, is a huge question.

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