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Tennessee football: Projecting two-deep depth chart for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /
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Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Byron Young (6) on the field during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Byron Young (6) on the field during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Edge rusher

1. Byron Young

No proven hybrid defensive tackles means Tim Banks’ scheme will be a 4-2-5 with two defensive tackles and two edge rushers at defensive end or a 3-3-5 with three defensive tackles and one edge rusher at outside linebacker. Either way, it’s enough to go three-deep at edge rusher.

Obviously, Tennessee football is loaded here. Byron Young is the star and will start again. he couldn’t play the first two games last year as a junior college transfer due to an academic issue, but he still finished tied for the team lead with 11.5 tackles for a loss and five and a half sacks. Look for him to resume this role this year and become a superstar.

2. Roman Harrison

With three and a half tackles for a loss, a sack and 33 total tackles, 18 of which were solo, as a by-committee starter, Roman Harrison provides plenty of value at edge rusher. He received numerous shoutouts in spring ball, so all signs point to him becoming the second-string edge rusher behind Young this year.

3. Tyler Baron

Although he was the starter to begin last year, Tyler Baron lost that job to Young. He then entered the transfer portal this offseason before returning. That combined with people calling Harrison’s name more in the spring is why Baron is now third string. Still, he had seven tackles for a loss and four sacks last year, so he’ll remain a rotational player.

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