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Tennessee football: 2023 DB class stacked at safety during dead period

By Caleb Calhoun

The Volunteer waves a Tennessee flag during the Vol Walk before an SEC football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.Kns Tennessee Ole Miss Football
The Volunteer waves a Tennessee flag during the Vol Walk before an SEC football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.Kns Tennessee Ole Miss Football /
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Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough (22) warmth up before a game Tennessee and Missouri at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.Kns Tennessee Missouri Football
Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough (22) warmth up before a game Tennessee and Missouri at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.Kns Tennessee Missouri Football /

DBs on roster who will still be eligible in 2023

Jaylen McCollough (Senior)

Warren Burrell (Senior)

Kamal Hadden (r-Junior)

Brandon Turnabge (r-Junior)

Doneiko Slaughter (Junior)

Dee Williams (Junior)

Tamarion McDonald (Junior)

Christian Charles (Sophomore)

De’Shawn Rucker (Sophomore)

Wesley Walker (r-Junior)

Andre Turrentine (r-Freshman)

Jerrod Gentry (r-Freshman)

Christian Harrison (Freshman)

Jourdan Thomas (Freshman)

Romello Edwards (r-Senior)

Will Brooks (r-Sophomore)

Trel Riley (r-Sophomore)

William Wright (r-Sophomore)

Luke Brunetti (r-Freshman)

Montrell Brandy (r-Freshman)

Shannon Blair Jr. (Freshman)

Malik Ganaway (Freshman)

Derek Taylor (Freshman)

On paper, it appears Tennessee football is loaded in the secondary for the future. However, the bottom nine players on this list, which starts with Romello Edwards, are walk-ons who aren’t expected to be part of the everyday rotation when it comes to the program’s long-term future.

Jaylen McCollough and Warren Burrell could be gone next year if they decide not to take advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling. Combine that with Trevon Flowers leaving this year, and that means nobody who started in 2021 may be on the roster next year and certainly won’t be in 2024.

Andrew Turrentine, Wesley Walker and Dee Williams are the three transfers, and Kamal Hadden and Brandon Turnage are back. All five players can play cornerback or nickel, so those three spots are almost set to go two-deep into 2024. Doneiko Slaughter, Christian Charles, De’Shawn Rucker and Jerrod Gentry also play there too, so they can now go three-deep.

Now, at safety, things are a bit more iffy. Slaughter and Charles could play there, but Tamarion McDonald is the main guy in line after McCollough. Newcomers Christian Harrison and Jourdan Thomas also fill that role. This is why Tennessee football added three players there for 2023.

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