All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football’s 10 underclassmen most likely to leave early for 2023 NFL Draft

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 10
Next
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 /

player. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 2. Defensive lineman. Junior. Omari Thomas

6’4″ 320 pounds

No position took a bigger hit for Tennessee football than the defensive line this past offseason. Matthew Butler, their top producer up front, is gone, and both hybrid defensive linemen, Caleb Tremblay and Ja’Quain Blakely, are gone. Now, there’s a huge bonus for Josh Heupel in that LaTrell Bumphus is back and fully healthy.

However, the one returning full-time starter up front is Omari Thomas. An in-state commitment out of Briarcrest Christian High School in Eads, Tenn., which is just outside of Memphis but still in Shelby County, Thomas proved his value last year at defensive tackle.

Playing alongside Butler, Thomas had four forced fumbles, four pass deflections, five tackles for a loss, a sack and 18 total tackles, 10 of which were solo. This year, even with Bumphus back, he should see an even larger role and take a huge leap.

Don’t get me wrong, the line still has a deep rotation with guys like Elijah Simmons, Da’Jon Terry and newcomers like Tyre West. Thomas, though, is the one proven guy, particularly in the middle, so he’ll likely see a lot of action next year for Tennessee football, and more experience in Tim Banks’ system will make him intriguing to NFL scouts.

Home/Vols Football