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Tennessee football’s top 10 in-state players for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game against Pittsburgh at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Kns Tennessee Pittsburgh Football
Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game against Pittsburgh at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Kns Tennessee Pittsburgh Football /
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Nov 20, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) plays defense during the first half against the South Alabama Jaguars at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) plays defense during the first half against the South Alabama Jaguars at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Senior. player. 839. Scouting Report. Linebacker. Pick Analysis. Jeremy Banks. 5

6’1″ 224 pounds

In-state players specifically have been forced to convert positions over the years. Jeremy Banks joins LaTrell Bumphus and Princeton Fant as one of the guys having to do that. The graduate of Cordova High School in Cordova, Tenn., just outside of Memphis, committed to Tennessee football as a four-star running back in Jeremy Pruitt’s first class back in 2018.

At the end of that year, Banks converted to linebacker. He was dismissed from the team early in 2019, though, and then came back in 2020. Add in the defensive switch to Tim Banks’ scheme in 2021, and Banks has not yet played the same position in the same system two years in a row.

That finally changes this season. Last year, he did have a low PFF regular season grade, the second lowest on defense, but all three rotational linebackers had the three lowest grades. Containment was an issue as they were forced to develop in the new system.

Still, Banks was the most productive player on Tennessee football’s defense last year. His 128 total tackles and 59 solo tackles both led the team, and his 11.5 tackles for a loss and five and a half sacks tied for the team lead. Add in an interception and four pass deflections, and the Shelby County kid can truly do it all.

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