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Evaluating Tennessee football’s 2023 class at dead period: Edge rushers

By Caleb Calhoun

The Tennessee football team runs through the T during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football
The Tennessee football team runs through the T during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football /
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Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers mascots Davey Crockett and Smokey entertain the crowd at the Vol Walk before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers mascots Davey Crockett and Smokey entertain the crowd at the Vol Walk before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Final take

Related Story. Evaluating Vols' 2023 class at dead period: OL. light

Given Tennessee football’s two commitments at edge rusher, their two additions for this year and the elite talent of Tyler Baron and potential Chandavian Bradley, Josh Heupel has set this position up nicely for the future. The Vols are set to be able to go two-deep if they are starting two edge rushers through 2024, a big deal.

Not only can they go two-deep, but they can do it with a proven elite talent and a projected elite talent. Three other guys on the list are potentially elite talents. With these two commitments for 2023, the Vols are actually set to go two-deep at edge rusher through 2025 now.

Of course, all this is barring any surprise transfers or early departures, and both things are possible. In fact, they’re probably likely depending on how certain players perform over the next two years. Players leaving early would be desirable because it’s the only way to reflect success.

Prediction

Given how loaded the Vols are at edge rusher going forward, they’re not going to add anymore commitments at the position this year. None of the elite prospects will choose UT because of questions surrounding the defense already and lack of playing time.

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However, that’s not a problem. Tennessee football is fine with where it is at the position, and anymore commitments just add some insurance. Banks’ system doesn’t always run two edge rusher at a time on the field anyway, so going this deep is pretty impressive.

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