6’0″ 205 pounds; Hometown: Austell, Ga.
Back in the 2019 spring game, Jaylen McCollough had two interceptions and should have been named the MVP. However, the coaches gave it to Jarrett Guarantano. Still, once Trevon Flowers broke his leg later that year, he was thrust into action.
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Coming out of Hillgrove High School in Georgia’s Cobb County, McCollough has more to prove after he and Flowers struggled to fill the void left by Nigel Warrior last year. Without Warrior, Tennessee football’s secondary took a major step back. Flowers is entering his senior year, so he didn’t make this list, but as a junior, expectations for McCollough are high.
The hard-hitting safety has appeared in all 23 games the past two years with 14 starts. Part of his slight regression last year was due to injury, but he still played at a high level with two and a half tackles for a loss, two passes defended and 43 tackles, 29 of which were solo. For his career, he has five and a half tackles, a sack, four passes defended and 76 tackles, 53 of which were solo.
Looking at his style, McCollough seems well-positioned to thrive in Tim Banks’ scheme. He is proven enough to be high on this list, and it’s worth noting that once he became the starter in 2019, the Vols didn’t lose a game.