All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football’s top 10 returning underclassmen in 2022 spring practice

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) celebrates the touchdown of running back Jabari Small (2) against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) celebrates the touchdown of running back Jabari Small (2) against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
Tennessee defensive lineman Da’Jon Terry participates in a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 1041
Tennessee defensive lineman Da’Jon Terry participates in a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 1041 /

Redshirt junior. Da'Jon Terry. 7. player. Scouting Report. Defensive lineman. 839. Pick Analysis

6’4″ 321 pounds

Obviously, defensive tackle is a crucial position of focus for Tennessee football with Matthew Butler, Caleb Tremblay and Ja’Quain Blakely all gone. Aubrey Solomon no longer being on the roster complicates things further. LaTrell Bumphus is back, but he’s a senior. Dominic Bailey doesn’t have the proven level of production to make this list.

As for guys who would have played nose tackle in Jeremy Pruitt’s system, we already mentioned Elijah Simmons. However, Terry is the more standout returner for right now. The Mississippi kid who Josh Heupel signed as a Kansas Jayhawks transfer last year did have two and a half tackles for a loss, a sack and 19 total tackles, 11 of which were solo.

This year, the graduate of Meridian High School in Laurdedale County, Miss., should see a larger role, even if Bumphus is back. He led all returning players who could play defensive tackle in total tackles last year, so it’s hard to ignore his production.

Terry could turn out to be a steal of a get for Heupel, Tim Banks and Rodney Garner. He wasn’t as highly touted as other signees up front, but he immediately provided depth, and he’ll provide it again this year. It’s possible he could even provide more.

Home/Vols Football