All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should redshirt for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Ramel Keyton (80) celebrates Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman's (85) touchdown during a game between University of Tennessee and Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.Utvschattanooga0914 0625
Tennessee wide receiver Ramel Keyton (80) celebrates Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman's (85) touchdown during a game between University of Tennessee and Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.Utvschattanooga0914 0625 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 10
Next
Wide Reciever Walker Merrill catches the ball during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee on Saturday, March 26, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 5 0720
Wide Reciever Walker Merrill catches the ball during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee on Saturday, March 26, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 5 0720 /

839. 4. player. Wide receiver. Sophomore. Walker Merrill. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

Walker Merrill didn’t stand out enough in the spring to make it into Tennessee football’s rotation at receiver, but a redshirt could give him lots of reps next year.

An in-state commitment out of Brentwood High School in Williamson County, Tenn., for Tennessee football’s 2021 class, Walker Merrill would seem primed and ready to replace the void JaVonta Payton left. He stands at 6’1″ 195 pounds, giving off that vibe of a hybrid who could play in the slot or at wideout, and he had mostly four-star ratings as a recruit.

However, there are too many options at both of his spots right now. Cedric Tillman obviously has the No. 1 wideout spot locked up, but the addition of USC Trojans transfer Bru McCoy creates too much competition in the other spot. Merrill’s best chance is in the slot.

Well, Jalin Hyatt is clearly the standout star there, and Hyatt could even beat Merrill out for the No. 2 wideout spot. If Hyatt took that, Merrill would still then have to compete with Jimmy Calloway in the slot, and Jimmy Holiday is also lurking there as a dynamic athlete for Josh Heupel.

As a result, this year, Merill should redshirt. Despite Tennessee football’s depth at receiver, Merrill will have a more clear field next year, as Tillman will be gone, and a good season from Hyatt could see him leave too. Last year, Merrill caught five passes for 52 yards. His production won’t increase much this year, so it makes sense to take the redshirt.

Home/Vols Football