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Tennessee football’s top 10 NFL Draft prospects for 2023

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /
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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 /

Omari Thomas. 7. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defensive lineman. Junior. player

6’4″ 320 pounds

LaTrell Bumphus is back. Elijah Simmons, Kurott Garland and Da’Jon terry are still on the roster. Two new defensive tackles were added to Tennessee football’s 2022 recruiting class, and one of them, Tyre West, managed to emerge in the spring. Still, Omari Thomas is the one tackle almost guaranteed to see full-time action next year.

The Memphis kid who graduated from Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., which is still in Shelby County, was a by-committee defensive tackles and had five tackles for a loss and a sack last year. He also had an amazing four forced fumbles to go along with four pass deflections and 18 tackles, 10 of which were solo.

With Matthew Butler gone, he should get a full-time spot to himself. Caleb Tremblay and Ja’Quain Blakely don’t affect him as much because those are hybrid defensive tackles, roles fit for Tim Banks’ nickel-heavy 4-3 defense but aren’t a good fit for the NFL.

Thomas is a pure defensive tackle given his size, and based on the potential he’s already shown, he could explode onto the scene next year. Versatility won’t be the selling point either. Pure dominant production in the middle is what could get him to leave early.

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