Tracking Tennessee football seniors and transfers: Who’s leaving? Who’s coming back?

Seniors out of eligibility

Ja’Quain Blakely

• Defensive lineman
• 6’2″ 270 pounds
• Moultrie, Ga.

A member of the 2016 recruiting class out of Georgia, Ja’Quain Blakely redshirted that year and took advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling in after 2020. He had his best year in 2021, starting 10 games at defensive end. Tennessee football will miss him and his production.

Matthew Butler

• Defensive lineman
• 6’4″ 295 pounds
• Raleigh, N.C.

Initially, Matthew Butler was to be a defensive end in Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme. However, Tim Banks’ focus on speed around the edges in the 4-3 moved the North Carolina kid to the inside, and he also had the best year of his career. Butler never redshirted but saw significant action over five years dating back to when he arrived in 2017.

Kenneth George Jr.

• Defensive back
• 5’11” 203 pounds
• Lafayette, La.

A transfer from Trinity Valley Community College in Texas, Kenneth George Jr. enjoyed four years with the Vols because of the COVID eligibility ruling. Initially from Louisiana, he’s been a by-committee cornerback, and while he was no star, his experience will be hard to replace.

Theo Jackson

• Defensive back
• 6’2″ 203 pounds
• Nashville, Tenn.

Nobody had a breakout final year like Theo Jackson in 2021. From 2017 to 2020, Jones was consistently shuffled around as a utility defensive back in Tennessee football’s secondary. He took advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling in 2021 and became the full-time starter at nickel, turning into the best defensive player the Vols had. With no redshirts, though, he can’t return.

Velus Jones Jr.

• Wide receiver
• 6’0″ 200 pounds
• Saraland, Ala.

After transferring from the USC Trojans, Velus Jones Jr. was supposed to have just one year, 2020. He mainly served as a return specialist. However, the kid from Alabama emerged late and took advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling in 2021 to become the second most productive receiver and the best returner in the SEC. His final year worked out.

JaVonta Payton

• Wide receiver
• 6’1″ 180 pounds
• Nashville, Tenn.

Initially a junior college transfer to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, JaVonta Payton also had one year left due to the COVID eligibility ruling. He took advantage of that to join Tennessee football and was the No. 3 receiver. Although he only had 18 catches, six went for touchdowns, and he gained 414 yards, so he was a big-play guy who the Vols will really miss.

Caleb Tremblay

• Defensive lineman
• 6’5″ 280 pounds
• Napa, Calif.

Just like Jones, Caleb Tremblay transferred from USC. However, he transferred this past year and only had one year left due to the COVID eligibility rules. Under Banks and Rodney Garner, Tremblay was a solid rotational player who made some big plays for UT on the line, so he may not be too easy to replace. Leaving California worked for him, though.