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Tennessee football’s top 10 winners from spring practice 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Players warm up at Tennessee Vols football first spring practice, Tuesday, March 22, 2022.Kns Vols Spring Parctice Cm
Players warm up at Tennessee Vols football first spring practice, Tuesday, March 22, 2022.Kns Vols Spring Parctice Cm /
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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 /

Junior. Omari Thomas. 839. Scouting Report. Defensive lineman. 3. player. Pick Analysis

6’4″ 320 pounds

You could maybe make the case that Omari Thomas is similar to Trevon Flowers since he saw lots of starting action last year. However, Tennessee football didn’t have LaTrell Bumphus fully healthy last year. With him back, the Memphis kid was going to be relegated to competing with Elijah Simmons for the other spot in the middle.

Matthew Butler leaving opened up that competition, but none of those three guys could fill the hybrid defensive tackle voids left by Caleb Tremblay and Ja’Quain Blakely. Simply put, they had to begin to earn their spot in the middle in spring ball. Thomas did jst that.

The graduate of Briarcrest Christian School in Shelby County, Tenn., had a scoop and score in the one scrimmage open to the public, a 25-yard touchdown run, and he helped the defensive line dominate in that matchup. That game alone didn’t get him on here, though.

In his press conference, Rodney Garner referred to Thomas as one of the faces of the program now. Also, what was not said about Simmons helped Thomas. Garner and Tim Banks in his own press conference touted Simmons’ weight loss but made it clear he has some developing to do now with his new size. This arguably now makes Thomas the top defensive tackle.

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