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Tennessee football’s top five options to replace Alontae Taylor

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) high-fives fans after defeating South Carolina 45-20 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football
Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) high-fives fans after defeating South Carolina 45-20 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football /
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By opting out of the Music City Bowl to focus on the NFL Draft and become the highest pick from Tennessee football in two years, Alontae Taylor was able to give the Vols a head start at working on his replacement as their No. 1 cornerback. Tim Banks and Willie Martinez didn’t get a good preview in that game against the Purdue Boilermakers.

UT got torched through the air in that game, which is what probably led Josh Heupel to go seek outside help at the position. The Vols brought in three transfers at cornerback throughout the offseason, and while some are more focused on nickel, all could provide competition.

Even with both starting cornerbacks returning for Tennessee football in the Music City Bowl returning, there is definitely a race to replace Taylor. The winner of the top cornerback spot could open up the race for the No. 2 cornerback spot as well. Let’s break all of that down here with the most likely options to replace Taylor.

Tennessee defensive back De’Shawn Rucker (28) warming up before the start of the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
Tennessee defensive back De’Shawn Rucker (28) warming up before the start of the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /

These are the best Tennessee football Volunteers candidates to play No. 1 cornerback.

Sophomore. 839. Scouting Report. 6'0 190 pounds. De'Shawn Rucker. 5. player. Pick Analysis

Despite missing spring ball, De’Shawn Rucker had a bit of an impact last year for Tennessee football and brings a lot of potential.

As a true freshman on last year’s team, De’Shawn Rucker was in the rotation to a degree. He did have five solo tackles, but most notably, he blocked a punt against the Alabama Crimson Tide to set up a field goal for the Vols. Hey that has to count for something, and it did provide a glimpse of what he could be in the future.

With more openings now, Rucker certainly has a chance to work his way into the rotation and even replace Taylor. However, missing spring ball due to injury is going to hurt his chances, as too many other guys have chances to show themselves as well.

It’s a safe bet that Rucker becomes a reliable and regular contributor for Tennessee football in the future, and he’ll probably be even more of a rotational guy this year, but he still has an uphill battle to replace Taylor as the Vols’ top cornerback. At the same time, if somebody else does, he could be in competition for the No. 2 guy, so watch out.

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