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Tennessee football makes cut for 2022 JuCo DB Marquise Gilbert

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Checkerboard end zone at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Checkerboard end zone at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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With at least three defensive backs from the 2021 Tennessee football rotation not returning in 2022, maybe four depending on what Trevon Flowers does, it’s pretty clear the Vols will need immediate help there. Well, they’re one step closer to getting some.

Josh Heupel has been targeting secondary players at the junior college level on the recruiting trail for a while, and this weekend, UT made the top three for Hutchinson Community College safety Marquise Gilbert. Initially from Palm Coast, Fla., Gilbert will have three seasons of eligibility.

A three-star on 247Sports who is not yet rated on Rivals or ESPN, Gilbert’s list in addition to Tennessee football includes the Auburn Tigers and Florida State Seminoles. He announced the schools Friday on Twitter.

Standing at 6’2″ 180 pounds, Gilbert would be a huge pickup for Rocky Top. Flowers could leave after this year and will definitely be gone after next year, and Jaylen McCollough could leave after this year or next year.

Simply put, the Vols are going to have a need at safety pretty soon. Heupel’s connections to Florida should put him in good position to land Gilbert. His connections to Big 12 country probably helps him with prospects who go to junior college in Kansas too.

Cornerback Alontae Taylor announced earlier in the week that he was going to enter the NFL Draft. Kenneth George Jr. and Theo Jackson are both out of eligibility as well, which is why the Vols have three rotational players they already have to replace for 2022. The potential for early playing time could be a huge selling point to Gilbert.

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Currently, there are no favorites on the Rivals Future Cast. The 247Sports Crystal Ball has one prediction for him, and Auburn is that prediction with a medium confidence interval. Tennessee football is the favorite by a plurality on the Rivals Fan Future Cast. As a result, the Vols have a very good chance to land him, but it’s truly up in the air.

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