All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football’s five biggest position battles for 2021 spring practice

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Brian Maurer (18) warms up before a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.101720 Tenn Ky Pregame
Tennessee quarterback Brian Maurer (18) warms up before a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.101720 Tenn Ky Pregame /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

With around 20 transfers, a new head coach and a brand new scheme on both sides of the ball, Tennessee football enters spring practice with tons of questions. However, all of that attrition has left starting spots wide open across the field, so while there is concern, many players on the roster should see opportunity.

Although spring ball is really the time to experiment rather than find starters, there are units where the position battles will begin immediately. As we get set to look at that in this post, we’ll break down those units that have everybody or almost everybody already on the roster.

That means that even the signees and transfers at the position have joined the roster as early enrollees. Obviously, we won’t be listing the same units entering the fall, but Josh Heupel can begin to evaluate the talent at these spots now. Here are the five biggest position battles entering Tennessee football’s 2021 spring practice.

5. Place kicker

Brent Cimaglia’s transfer left the Vols an opening at this position. Paxton Brooks is locked in as the kickoff specialist and the punter, but a field goal kicker is needed. The Vols have three players who will likely compete for the position. All of them will be here in the spring, and all of them have an equal chance to get the job.

Returning is Toby Wilson, who kicked for the Vols in their final three games. He didn’t attempt any field goals but made seven of eight extra points. J.T. Carver is a walk-on who is also an early enrollee and will compete for playing time as well.

The most notable kicker is USC Trojans transfer Chase McGrath. He has the most experience after three years of playing college ball, and while he didn’t receive a jersey number, Matthew Ray of SI.com reports him as a Tennessee football early enrollee also. All three players will be able to compete in the spring, making this an interesting position to watch.

Home/Vols Football