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Tennessee football 2022 DL preview: Offsetting three key losses a concern

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner during football practice on Thursday, April 22, 2021.Kns Ut Practice
Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner during football practice on Thursday, April 22, 2021.Kns Ut Practice /
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Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) exits the field after Tennessee’s 41-17 loss to Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football
Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) exits the field after Tennessee’s 41-17 loss to Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football /

Returning contributors at DL

Omari Thomas

  • 6’4″ 320 pounds
  • Junior
  • Memphis, Tenn. (Briarcrest Christian)

As one of the rotational linemen for Tennessee football, Omari Thomas had a mini-breakout season. He racked up five tackles for a loss, a sack, four pass deflections, four forced fumbles and 18 tackles, 10 of which were solo. He’s the top returning contributor for the Vols, so expect him to play a huge role up front.

Da’Jon Terry

  • 6’4″ 321 pounds
  • Redshirt junior
  • Meridian, Miss. (Meridian High School

Another transfer, Josh Heupel got Da’Jon Terry from the Kansas Jayhawks, and he saw action in the second half of last year due to injury. He finished with two and a half tackles for a loss, a sack and 19 total tackles, 11 of which were solo.

Elijah Simmons

  • 6’2″ 340 pounds
  • Redshirt junior
  • Memphis, Tenn. (Pearl-Cohn High School in Nashville)

Terry’s playing time increased after Elijah Simmons got hurt. He’s back though, and in limited in action the past two years, he’s registered one and a half tackles for a loss, two pass deflections and 21 tackles, six of which were solo. After shedding 10 pounds, he should take a big leap.

LaTrell Bumphus

  • 6’3″ 290 pounds
  • Redshirt senior
  • Savannah, Tenn. (Hardin County High School)

Before being banged up last year, LaTrell Bumphus was a crucial part of the Vols’ defensive line. He converted from defensive end to tight end to edge rusher, and in the latter role, he was elite in 2019, his only full season. Now, in his final year of eligibility, he’s more of a defensive tackle, and expect him to play the role Matthew Butler played last year.

Kurott Garland

  • 6’3″ 310 pounds
  • Redshirt senior
  • Conyers, Ga. (Heritage High School)

Similar to Bumphus, Kurott Garland was a regular part of Tennessee football before 2020. However, he still had two tackles for a loss, a sack and 16 tackles last year, nine of which were solo, so he should help Bumphus offset the loss of Butler.

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