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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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Tennessee defensive back Brandon Turnage (29) after a NCAA football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football Bp
Tennessee defensive back Brandon Turnage (29) after a NCAA football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football Bp /

Nickel

1. Brandon Turnage

Replacing Theo Jackson is no easy task, but Brandon Turnage already did it. The Alabama Crimson Tide transfer started at nickel in place of Jackson, who was injured, against the South Carolina Gamecocks last year. All he did was earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week by registering two tackles for a loss and 14 total tackles, seven of which were solo.

As a result, Turnage is the obvious choice to step in at the star position for Tennessee football this year. He’s a potential superstar in the making, and his transfer was a huge deal for Josh Heupel and the Vols last year. With more experience and already proven talent, watch out.

2. Wesley Walker

Again, this is a spot that came down to a guy who missed spring ball and one who participated. We gave it to the guy who wasn’t there in the spring, Wesley Walker, because Doneiko Slaughter, who could have filled the role, didn’t make enough headlines for his play the way he needed to.

Another transfer, Walker comes from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, where he spent the past three years. He still has three years of eligibility left, though. The past two seasons, he has registered six pass deflections, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, two tackles for a loss and 92 total tackles, 54 of which were solo while starting at nickel, so he’ll provide value.

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