Tennessee football: Projecting two-deep depth chart for 2022

Nose tackle

1. Omari Thomas

The one returning starter for Tennessee football at defensive tackle, Omari Thomas had five tackles for a loss last year along with a sack, four pass deflections, four forced fumbles and 18 tackles, eight of which were solo. At 6’4″ 320 pounds, expect him to consistently get pushes up the middle this year, and that’ll be crucial for the Vols.

2. Elijah Simmons

A nose tackle in Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4, Elijah Simmons was able to maintain his nose tackle status in Banks’ scheme. Last year, he battled injuries, but he still managed one and a half tackles for a loss, a sack and 11 overall tackles, four of which were solo. Fully healthy, he’ll back up Thomas here. Simmons trimmed his weight down to 340 pounds in the offseason, so he could thrive this year.

3. Da’Jon Terry

Josh Heupel secured Da’Jon Terry as a transfer from the Kansas Jayhawks, and he didn’t disappoint in his role, registering two and a half tackles for a loss, a sack and 19 tackles, 11 of which were solo, last year. He’ll return this year as another rotational nose tackle with Simmons.

Each year, depending on the personnel, Rodney Garner should go three-deep at nose tackle or the other defensive tackle spot. Last year, he went two-deep at nose tackle, defensive tackle and hybrid defensive tackle, where that was another end spot. But with Matthew Butler, Caleb Tremblay and Ja’Quain Blakely gone, nose tackle is where the depth is at this year.