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Tennessee football: Top five non-conference stars Vols have to face in 2021

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 24, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) and defensive lineman Rashad Weaver (17) sack Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Brendon Clark (7) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Irish won 45-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) and defensive lineman Rashad Weaver (17) sack Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Brendon Clark (7) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Irish won 45-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Southern Mississippi defensive back Eric Scott Jr. (12) tackles South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (8) during their game at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020.Hat 9933
Southern Mississippi defensive back Eric Scott Jr. (12) tackles South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (8) during their game at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020.Hat 9933 /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Wide receiver. Jalen Tolbert. player. 2117. South Alabama Jaguars. 3

Junior; 6’3″ 190 pounds; Mobile, Ala.

Two South Alabama Jaguars skill players could give Tennessee football trouble this year. Defensive back Keith Gallmon is a candidate for it, and with new head coach Kane Wommack, a defensive specialist, running the program, Gallmon could be even more of a playmaker.

Both Gallmon and Tolbert were All Sun Belt last year, and they both made the Pro Football Focus first team All Sun Belt for 2021. Simply put, it was extremely hard to choose between the two which player would be more effective. However, Tolbert has been first team All Sun Belt across the board. Gallmon was on the official All Sun Belt second team.

That’s one reason Tolbert got the nod. The graduate of McGill-Toolen High School was an incredible playmaker last year, catching 64 passes for 1,085 yards and eight touchdowns. Given his size, he’s a dangerous wideout, and he’ll likely take an even greater step forward this year.

It’s pretty clear that the Vols are expected to have major issues on defense this year. That is another reason Tolbert made this list and not Gallmon. Based on the spring game, what happened last year and the departure of Bryce Thompson, there are legitimate concerns about the program’s pass defense. As a result, they’ll need to focus on Tolbert as much as possible.

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