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Evaluating Tennessee football’s 2023 class at dead period: TEs

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Throughout his history as a play-caller, Josh Heupel has shown an ability to adapt to his personnel when it comes to his use of tight ends. Entering his second season with Tennessee football, he has added one transfer and returns everybody from last year, so the position is pretty deep for a team that spreads the ball around.

Still, more tight ends gives him more versatility, so it would be a huge deal for him if he could add more players at the position to his roster for the future. Adding new talent here has somewhat been a focus of his on the trail, and he has found success.

Where does Tennessee football stand right now at tight ends for its 2023 recruiting class, and what do the Vols need to do going forward? Let’s break all of that down here. Looking at commitments, the current roster and available targets, this is an evaluation of the Vols’ recruiting class at the tight end spot.

Here’s a look at tight ends for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee football Volunteers in their 2023 class.

Tennessee tight end Princeton Fant (88) celebrates a touchdown during a game against South Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Alabama Football
Tennessee tight end Princeton Fant (88) celebrates a touchdown during a game against South Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Alabama Football /

TEs on roster who will be out of eligibility past 2022

Princeton Fant

This is a key fact here. Players at a position leaving aren’t a big factor on their own, but if they play a large role, they are, and that’s where Princeton Fant comes into play. Fant is a redshirt senior who took advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling to come back for a sixth year after committing to Butch Jones as an athlete in 2017.

During his time on Rocky Top, Fant has seen action across a variety of positions, but 2022 will be the first time he is entering his second straight year in a system playing the same position. Last year, he was the big-play receiver at tight end, catching 16 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown.

That means that with him certain to be gone in 2023, Tennessee football has a major void to fill. Heupel has some options already, and some of those have indeed come on the trail for next year. Let’s take a look at where UT stands on that front along with who they could target to bolster their chances of replacing Fant in the future.

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