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Tennessee football’s 10 biggest injury concerns for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

From left, Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), Head Coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Hendon Hooker (5), and Offensive Analyst Mitch Militello stand before the Pride of the Southland Band as they perform “Tennessee Waltz” after a win in the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
From left, Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), Head Coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Hendon Hooker (5), and Offensive Analyst Mitch Militello stand before the Pride of the Southland Band as they perform “Tennessee Waltz” after a win in the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /
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Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers tight end LaTrell Bumphus (88) during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers tight end LaTrell Bumphus (88) during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

player. Defensive lineman. Senior. LaTrell Bumphus. 5. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

6’3″ 290 pounds

A combination of injury issues and playing a variety positions is why LaTrell Bumphus hasn’t already been a breakout star for Tennessee football. Bumphus was an in-state commitment to Butch Jones’ first class out of Hardin County High School in Savannah, Tenn., way back in 2017 to play defensive end in Bob Shoop’s defense.

Jeremy Pruitt arrived, and Bumphus saw time at tight end before moving over to edge rusher and then defensive end in Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme. Enter Josh Heupel and Tim Banks, who reinstalled Shoop’s nickel-heavy 4-3 base defense, and now Bumphus is a defensive tackle.

In addition to all these changes, Bumphus has battled numerous injuries the past couple years. He missed the final five games in 2020 due to a knee injury suffered in warmups, and he was in and out last year due to undisclosed injuries. That was all fine for the most part because Matthew Butler was still on the roster.

This year, though, Tennessee football needs Bumphus. He showed what he could do in 2019 when he had six tackles for a loss and two sacks as a reserve end. Now, he’s destined to fill the role of Butler, and with Aubrey Solomon gone, he’s desperately needed. As a result, these recent injury issues could become alarming.

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