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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from 2021 spring practice roster

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 11: Detailed view of the checkered endzone at Neyland Stadium during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Chattanooga Mocs on October 11, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 45-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 11: Detailed view of the checkered endzone at Neyland Stadium during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Chattanooga Mocs on October 11, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 45-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson (26) shows that the pass was no good after Jackson broke up a pass intended for a BYU receiver at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, September 7, 2019.Utbyu0907
Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson (26) shows that the pass was no good after Jackson broke up a pass intended for a BYU receiver at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, September 7, 2019.Utbyu0907 /

2. Five more seniors confirmed returning

The first day of spring practice coincided with Tennessee football’s pro day, which involved Brandon Kennedy, Josh Palmer, Trey Smith and Bryce Thompson. That confirmed Thompson was leaving early and that Kennedy, Palmer and Smith wouldn’t take advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA was giving to seniors who played last year due to COVID.

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Numerous other seniors either transferred, including Jarrett Guarantano, Ty Chandler, and Brent Cimaglia. They were part of the attrition that involved many underclassmen leaving, including Eric Gray and Wanya Morris. Other seniors announced their intent to return, such as Velus Jones Jr., Darel Middleton and Matthew Butler. However, not everybody had confirmed their decision.

Well, the five players in limbo all confirmed their status by being on the Vols’ spring practice roster Thursday. Riley Locklear, Ja’Quain Blakely, LaTrell Bumphus, Aubrey Solomon and Theo Jackson were all on the roster, and that’s a big deal. All of these guys coming back helps UT in a big way, particularly at two positions that suffered numerous losses.

Five storylines for Vols spring practice. light. Related Story

Locklear helps offset the losses on the offensive line. Blakely, Bumphus and Solomon mean the Vols return all their defensive lineman. Jackson’s return is a huge deal given all the losses in the secondary, and that leads to our final takeaway from the roster.

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