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Ranking Tennessee football’s early enrollees for 2022 by potential impact

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive lineman Tyre West participates in a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 1166
Tennessee defensive lineman Tyre West participates in a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 1166 /
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Tennessee quarterback Tayven Jackson (10) is seen during the first spring practice at University of Tennessee, Tuesday, March 22, 2022.TennesseeSpringPractice0322
Tennessee quarterback Tayven Jackson (10) is seen during the first spring practice at University of Tennessee, Tuesday, March 22, 2022.TennesseeSpringPractice0322 /

839. Quarterback. Tayven Jackson. 12. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Greenwood, Ind.

6’3″ 200 pounds

Josh Heupel’s first major commitment at quarterback, Tayven Jackson was seen as the future for Tennessee football last summer. However, Hendon Hooker emerged and is back for another year as the guaranteed starter, and Joe Milton III is still on the roster after starting last season.

Add in a legacy player, Appalachian State Mountaineers quarterback Navy Shuler, the son of UT legend Heath Shuler, joining the race, and it’s hard to see Jackson making any impact this year. That’s even more clear given the fact that Hooker is the clear-cut starter to begin the season.

On the other hand, Hooker’s style of play warrants him getting banged up a lot. Shuler wasn’t highly touted and has limited experience. Milton didn’t look good last year. As a result, the graduate of Center Grove High School in Johnson County, which borders Indianapolis, could move up to second string pretty easily.

Remember, Jackson was a four-star across the board out of Indiana. Don’t count out the possibility of him making second string, and if he does, then it becomes likely he plays, as Hooker is definitely going to get banged up at times this fall. That possibility puts him above a couple of people playing positions that are actually up for competition this spring.

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