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Tennessee football: Ranking every player who transferred from Vols by 2021 performance

By Caleb Calhoun

North Carolina Tar Heels running back Ty Chandler (19)takes the ball down the field while playing against South Carolina Gamecocks during the DukeÕs Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Thursday, December 30, 2021.Jg Mayobowl 123021 036
North Carolina Tar Heels running back Ty Chandler (19)takes the ball down the field while playing against South Carolina Gamecocks during the DukeÕs Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Thursday, December 30, 2021.Jg Mayobowl 123021 036 /
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Sep 30, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive end Deandre Johnson (13) wraps up Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Keytaon Thompson (99) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive end Deandre Johnson (13) wraps up Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Keytaon Thompson (99) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

5. player. 834. Miami Hurricanes. Deandre Johnson. Linebacker. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

8.5 TFLs; 4.5 sacks; 26 tackles (15 solo)

  • Redshirt senior
  • 6’3″ 260 pounds
  • Entered portal Dec. 29, 2020

It’s a bit ironic that Deandre Johnson is here because all signs in 2020 pointed to he and Kivon Bennett being the starting edge rushers but Bennett being the star while Johnson had the experience. Both players committed to Tennessee football in 2017, and Johnson got more action early because he was more ready. However, Bennett was supposed to be better.

This past year told a different story, though. Although Johnson’s production was about half of what Bennett’s was, you have to take into account the fact that he played for the Miami Hurricanes. ACC competition is nowhere near Sun Belt competition.

Johnson still led the team in tackles for a loss and was second on the team in sacks. Although Bennett began to stand out more over him in 2020, what he did in a Power Five conference during his final year of eligibility counts for more overall. As a result, he is one spot higher than Bennett on this list of FBS performers.

Although he didn’t earn any All-ACC honors, even All-ACC Honorable Mention, Johnson still performed at a high level on the year. It could dramatically improve his draft stock. He left before Jeremy Pruitt was fired, and like Bennett, he wasn’t missed because of the talent UT brought in, but he still would have been valuable.

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