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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 /
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Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) exits the field after Tennessee’s 41-17 loss to Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football
Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) exits the field after Tennessee’s 41-17 loss to Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football /

839. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defensive lineman. Junior. Omari Thomas. 4

6’4″ 320 pounds

Given all the departures at defensive line, Tennessee football is lucky to have so many of its most talented returning underclassmen playing that position. Omari Thomas is another guy who could have filled the nose tackle role in Jeremy Pruitt’s system like Elijah Simmons and Da’Jon Terry, although he and Terry are more similar in style.

However, the Memphis kid is the better of the two. Sure, Terry had more tackles and a higher PFF grade, but the graduate of Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, Tenn., was a much more effective big-play guy. He forced four fumbles on the year, broke up four passes and had five tackles for a loss and a sack. That’s impressive.

Overall, he only had one less tackle than Terry (18) and one less solo tackle (10), so it’s hard to look at his overall production and say what he did wasn’t more valuable. Thomas, Simmons, Terry and LaTrell Bumphus are all likely to round out the rotation in the middle this year with a push from newcomer Tyre West.

Of those, though, Thomas is the guy expected to be the new star up front. He is the perfect type of player for Rodney Garner to work with, and it’s worth noting that he got better as the season went on. As a result, he’s got the most hype when it comes to developing this spring.

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