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Tennessee football: Ranking every starter from 2020 who returned by performance in 2021

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) high-fives fans after defeating South Carolina 45-20 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football
Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) high-fives fans after defeating South Carolina 45-20 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football /
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Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson (26) does a dance after South Alabama false started during a football game against South Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Alabam Football Bp
Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson (26) does a dance after South Alabama false started during a football game against South Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Alabam Football Bp /

Scouting Report. Senior. Theo Jackson. 1. 839. Pick Analysis. Defensive back. player

6’2″ 203 pounds

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It’s hard to truly call Theo Jackson as a returning starter, as Jeremy Pruitt and Butch Jones both just always plugged him in wherever they could as a utility player in the secondary. Jones backed up Shawn Shamburger in 2019, and he was down to third string at nickel at times in 2020 before being forced in down the stretch of the season.

Opting to take advantage of that COVID eligibility ruling and come back for a fifth year, Josh Heupel and Tim Banks finally gave Jackson the confidence he needed. They stuck him firmly at nickel and started him there the whole year outside of one game in which he was hurt.

Jackson didn’t disappoint. He led the team in pass deflections with 11, racked up nine tackles for a loss and had a pick-six. Add in one and a half sacks and 78 tackles, 37 of which were solo, and it’s easy to see why Jackson tops the list of returning contributors.

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The story here is not just Jackson being a returning contributor but the way he was a returning contributor for Tennessee football. He was truly a team guy across the board in the secondary for four years and, when finally given his shot, showed what he could do, finishing with an 80.2 regular season PFF grade. As a result, he tops this list.

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