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Tennessee football: Top 10 dark horse Vols for 2021 season

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee linebacker Bryson Eason (20) and Tennessee offensive lineman Dayne Davis (66) at the Orange & White spring game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, April 24, 2021.Kns Vols Spring Game
Tennessee linebacker Bryson Eason (20) and Tennessee offensive lineman Dayne Davis (66) at the Orange & White spring game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, April 24, 2021.Kns Vols Spring Game /
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Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Omari Thomas. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defensive lineman. 839. Sophomore. 8. player

6’4″ 316 pounds; Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.

Initially, defensive tackle was loaded. Tennessee football was returning four key contributors in Darel Middleton, Greg Emerson, Aubrey Solomon and Kurott Garland. Then Josh Heupel added USC Trojans veteran Caleb Tremblay. However, since then, Emerson and Middleton have hit the transfer portal. Also, two 2021 signees, KaTron Evans and Isaac Washington, have landed elsewhere.

Because of that, the position is somewhat thin again, even with guys like Kansas Jayhawks transfer Da’Jon Terry arriving and Dominic Bailey returning. Elijah Simmons, a true nose tackle, will likely join the veteran rotation with Solomon, Garland and Tremblay.

Those four should make up the two middle spots if Tim Banks runs his nickel-heavy 4-3 base defense that he has run in the past. However, there is room for other guys to work their way into that rotation if things don’t go as planned.

Look for Omari Thomas to be that guy. The in-state graduate of Briarcrest High School in Shelby County’s Eads, Tenn. did play in all 10 games last year as a reserve and had a tackle for a loss. He’s not getting the hype other linemen are getting, but he could become a force in the middle if Banks begins playing him more. Thomas is a future star at DT. He could get there sooner than expected.

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