Tennessee football: Ranking every starter from 2020 who returned by performance in 2021
Scouting Report. Defensive back. Warren Burrell. 13. player. Pick Analysis. Junior. 839
6’0″ 190 pounds
Given the amount of experience Warren Burrell has at this level, he could have been better. Remember, as a true freshman in 2019, he started the first three games of the season while Bryce Thompson was suspended and getting back into shape after his suspension was lifted. Then he started the final four games of 2020.
Thompson’s departure meant Burrell and Kenneth George Jr. would likely start by-committee at Tennessee football’s other cornerback spot, and even with Brandon Turnage and Kamal Hadden arriving, Burrell largely locked up that position.
For the year, Burrell had 41 total tackles, 32 of which were solo, two tackles for a loss and five pass deflections. His 63.8 PFF grade suggests he wasn’t that bad. However, he had a bad habit of getting burned on lots of plays, and he didn’t make any big plays to offset it.
Most notable in this is Tennessee football’s Music City Bowl loss to the Purdue Boilermakers. Burrell’s PFF grade was before that one, and he allowed over 200 yards through the air to guys he was guarding in total that day. The change in system gives him a mulligan, and him coming back helps with UT’s chemistry next year, but he’s got to get better. His potential is there.