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Tennessee football’s top five options to replace Matthew Butler

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler (94) celebrating after a defensive stop during the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021.Utvsc1007
Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler (94) celebrating after a defensive stop during the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021.Utvsc1007 /
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Tennessee defensive lineman Da’Jon Terry participates in a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 1041
Tennessee defensive lineman Da’Jon Terry participates in a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 1041 /

4. Pick Analysis. Redshirt junior. 6'4 321 lbs. 839. Scouting Report. Da'Jon Terry. player

After Elijah Simmons got hurt, Da’Jon Terry saw his role with Tennessee football increase. The Kansas Jayhawks transfer now brings expectations to 2022.

There are some fundamentals working against Da’Jon Terry that are similar to Elijah Simmons. For starters, with Omari Thomas as one of Tennessee football’s clear-cut starters up front, Tim Banks and Rodney Garner may need to go for a lighter, more agile player to occupy the other full-time defensive tackle role.

Meanwhile, there are still questions as to where Terry fits in the rotation. Remember, last year, he only emerged after Simmons got hurt, so with Simmons back, it’s hard to know if he’ll still have the same responsibilities. That’s another factor keeping him down here.

However, Terry is a guy Josh Heupel targeted specifically as a transfer last year, and he did produce when his number was called. For the year, he had two and a half tackles for a loss, a sack and 19 overall tackles, 11 of which were solo. That’s a solid level of production given the fact that he started the year buried in the depth chart.

Now, there’s a chance his role could increase ten-fold, particularly with other losses on the line in Caleb Tremblay and Ja’Quain Blakely, although that’s worthy of coverage for another day. In terms of replacing Butler specifically, Terry has a chance.

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