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Tennessee football’s five best options to replace Theo Jackson

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Theo Jackson (26) celebrates after a sack during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Theo Jackson (26) celebrates after a sack during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, Duke Blue Devils running back Jordan Waters (7) runs the ball through Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Wesley Walker (13) during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, Duke Blue Devils running back Jordan Waters (7) runs the ball through Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Wesley Walker (13) during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports /

Redshirt junior. Wesley Walker. 2. Pick Analysis. 6'1 204 lbs. player. 839. Scouting Report

Transferring from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Wesley Walker is the one Tennessee football player with significant starting experience at nickel.

Two transfers joined Tennessee football’s secondary this year via the portal in addition to Dee Williams via junior college. Ohio State Buckeyes transfer Andre Turrentine was one. Wesley Walker was the other. They each landed on one of the lists of players most likely to replace a departing defensive back for UT.

You could make a case for Turrentine being on this specific list, but he seems to provide more competition at the true cornerback spot to replace Alontae Taylor, and he also has more experience at safety. Meanwhile, it’s blatantly clear Walker is a fit here.

Over the past two years at Georgia Tech, Walker has been the starter at nickel. After registering just three tackles, two of which were solo, as a freshman in 2019, he registered two tackles for a loss, six pass deflections, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 92 tackles, 54 of which were solo, in 2020 and 2021.

Last year alone, Walker racked up two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 44 tackles, 24 of which were solo. He’s the one player on the Vols with real experience starting at nickel for a Power Five team, which gives him a great chance to replace Theo Jackson.

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