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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 Jaylen McCollough (22) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football
Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough (22) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football /

Strong safety

1. Jaylen McCollough

Last year’s team leader in interceptions with three, Jaylen McCollough is a strong safety who has shown he can do it all with Tennessee football. He and Trevon Flowers have the safety spots locked up more than any other position. McCollough was a physical defensive back when he first came onto the scene in 2019, actually filling in for Flowers after he got hurt.

Then, in 2020, McCollough moved over to strong safety while Flowers resumed his role at free safety. There were some growing pains, and more came last year with the position switch, but McCollough still had five pass deflections, a forced fumble, three and a half tackles for a loss and a sack last year. As a result, he’s got this role locked up too.

2. Cheyenne Labruzza

This was a spot reserved for Christian Charles, as he would become the starter once McCollough left, similar to Tamarion McDonald. However, with Charles seeing lots of time at cornerback this past spring, the coaches are clearly working to turn him into a versatile defensive back.

They can buy time to do that by turning to experience here. Cheyenne Labruzza is back and has been with Tennessee football for five years. He’s played a lot of nickel and safety. Taking that into account, look for Labruzza to be a breakout rotational player his last year of eligibility similar to what Solon Page III was last year. Both are back and should have solid super senior seasons.

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