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Tennessee football: Ranking position groups by spring practice play

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Jimmy Calloway (9) during Tennessee football’s spring practice on campus in Knoxville on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp
Tennessee wide receiver Jimmy Calloway (9) during Tennessee football’s spring practice on campus in Knoxville on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp /
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Tennessee defensive back Warren Burrell (4) during football practice on the University of Tennessee’s campus in Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019.Kns Vols Sectele Bp Jpg
Tennessee defensive back Warren Burrell (4) during football practice on the University of Tennessee’s campus in Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019.Kns Vols Sectele Bp Jpg /

3. Secondary

Okay, this seems like a crazy ranking given the spring game. Just hear me out first. Tennessee football’s defensive backs had to cover for horrendous play by the inside linebackers in coverage and a complete lack of pressure up front. With those two issues, it was virtually impossible for the Vols defensive backs to be elite during that game.

Nonetheless, Warren Burrell managed to come away with a pick-six in the Orange and White game, and, with Bryce Thompson having left early for the NFL and Shawn Shamburger entering the transfer portal, he was the first guy to really step up and show he could offset some of the losses. There were other players who proved they could be part of the rotation as well.

Theo Jackson’s veteran leadership appeared to prove valuable, Jaylan McCollough and Trevon Flowers were still able to handle the safety spot, and Kenneth George Jr. seems to be providing some depth alongside Burrell and Alontae Taylor at cornerback. All three could potentially be part of the rotation.

That’s not to say that this unit is finished. It could get a lot better in the fall, but it was more at full strength than most other units in spring ball, and that somewhat showed. The issues on defense were not really with the secondary. Their hands were tied.

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