Tennessee football: Ranking every player who transferred from Vols by 2021 performance
Ranking transfers to FCS schools Part II
4. Shawn Shamburger; UT Martin Skyhawks
- Defensive back
- Redshirt senior
- Entered portal Jan. 12, 2021
The best returning player for Tennessee football in 2020 based on Pro Football Focus, Shawn Shamburger missed most of that year due to injury. He then entered the portal and seemingly came back but missed all of spring ball, and the elite nickel then joined the UT Martin Skyhawks.
This past year, Shamburger was a star for UT Martin, totaling nine pass deflections, an interception, half a tackle for a loss and 37 total tackles, 18 of which were solo. At 5’11” 190 pounds, he still has a year of eligibility left too.
3. Malachi Wideman; Jackson State Tigers
- Wide receiver
- Sophomore
- Entered portal June 23, 2021
Despite his 6’5″ 190-pound frame and four-star rating in 2020, Malachi Wideman never broke through as a wideout for UT. He transferred after Josh Heupel’s first spring practice and joined the Jackson State Tigers, where he became a huge red zone weapon for Deion Sanders. Wideman had 34 catches for 540 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, and he has three years of eligibility left.
2. Savion Williams; Florida A&M Rattlers
- Defensive lineman
- Senior
- Entered portal Nov. 9, 2020
A highly touted junior college transfer in 2019, Savion Williams played sparingly and entered the portal midseason in 2020. At 6’4″ 290 pounds, he picked right for his final year of eligibility, as in 2021 with the Florida A&M Rattlers, he totaled 11 tackles for a loss, six and a half sacks, a hurry, a pass breakup, a safety and 29 total tackles, 17 of which were solo.
1. Kasim Hill; Rhode Island Rams
- Quarterback
- Redshirt junior
- Entered portal Aug. 17, 2020
Initially transferring from the Maryland Terrapins to Tennessee football as a walk-on in 2019, Kasim Hill was going to sit out that year and compete for the job in 2020. Well, he then transferred before 2020 began and joined the Rhode Island Rams. With that move, he became the top FCS player who left UT.
A 6’2″ 234-pounds dual threat, Hill completed 150 of 282 passes (53.6 percent) for 2,170 yards (7.69 yards per attempt) 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also had 113 carries for 253 yards and another six touchdowns, leading Rhode Island to a 7-4 record. With a year of eligibility left, he has found his spot in FCS play.