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Tennessee football: Five spring practice 2021 storylines

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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Tennessee linebacker Quavaris Crouch (27) celebrates a play during a game between University of Tennessee and Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.Utvschattanooga0914 0689
Tennessee linebacker Quavaris Crouch (27) celebrates a play during a game between University of Tennessee and Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.Utvschattanooga0914 0689 /

3. Which players are staying and going?

We still don’t have a full answer on this. Tennessee football suffered a wave of transfers in the offseason, and many of them have already signed with other schools. That includes elite players like Wanya Morris, Ty Chandler, Eric Gray, Brent Cimaglia and Deandre Johnson and other key players like Jarrett Guarantano, J.T. Shrout, Brandon Johnson, Jahmir Johnson and Joe Doyle.

Overall, 20 players have transferred to other teams. However, other key players who entered the portal haven’t landed anywhere else, most notably three key linebackers in Henry To’o To’o, Quavaris Crouch and J.J. Peterson. What they are doing remains a question as spring ball gets underway, and that’ll be something worth paying attention to.

Then there is the question of which seniors from last year will take advantage of the NCAA’s decision to allow them to keep their eligibility. We know that Trey Smith, Brandon Kennedy and Josh Palmer are heading into the NFL Draft. Bryce Thompson left early for the draft as well. Velus Jones Jr., Matthew Butler, Darel Middleton and Kenneth George Jr. are all coming back.

Then there are players in question. There have been no publicly announced decisions by Riley Locklear, Ja’Quain Blakely, Aubrey Solomon, LaTrell Bumphus or Theo Jackson. Austin Pope and Shawn Shamburger both entered the transfer portal and then came back. You’d assume they’re back for 2021, but nothing is certain. Spring ball should answer these roster questions.

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