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Tennessee football: Ranking all nine transfer portal additions by potential impact

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee linebacker Juwan Mitchell (10) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021.Kns Tennessee Fall Practice
Tennessee linebacker Juwan Mitchell (10) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021.Kns Tennessee Fall Practice /
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Oct 31, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive back Brandon Turnage (7) breaks up a pass intended for Mississippi State wide receiver Malik Heath (4) at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the second half of Alabama’s 41-0 win over Mississippi State. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive back Brandon Turnage (7) breaks up a pass intended for Mississippi State wide receiver Malik Heath (4) at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the second half of Alabama’s 41-0 win over Mississippi State. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive back. 8. Redshirt sophomore. Brandon Turnage. player. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

Previous school: Alabama Crimson Tide

In terms of talent, very few people come in with Brandon Turnage’s potential. Add in Tennessee football’s struggles in the secondary last year plus the departure of Bryce Thompson, and it would seem like Turnage is in line to immediately make an impact. However, the Vols have more returning talent back there than people realize.

Alontae Taylor is set to lock up one cornerback spot. Warren Burrell and Kenneth George Jr. are in line to compete for the other spot. Turnage doesn’t even play safety, but Jaylen McCollough and Trevon Flowers appear to have that locked up.

At 6’1″ 186 pounds, nickel is Turnage’s best chance, but Theo Jackson is the most experienced player there, and Kamal Hadden and Cheyenne Labruzza both have a chance to win that job as well. Simply put, if Turnage is going to start this year, he’ll have to beat an experienced starter at one of the positions.

Taking that into account, Turnage gives the Vols a very bright future at cornerback, and getting him away from Nick Saban is a big deal. Taylor, George and Jackson will all be gone in 2022. This year, he’ll be a rotational player. With very limited action in 2020, registering no tackles and just one pass defended, he needs more experience before starting in the SEC, though.

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