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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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Sophomore defensive lineman Austin Lewis (44) walks on the field as the New Mexico State University Aggies face off against the Liberty University Flames at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.Nmsu Liberty Football 5
Sophomore defensive lineman Austin Lewis (44) walks on the field as the New Mexico State University Aggies face off against the Liberty University Flames at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.Nmsu Liberty Football 5 /

Newcomers

Transfers

Austin Lewis (East Tennessee State University Buccaneers)

  • 6’6″ 270 pounds
  • Redshirt senior (graduate)
  • Jonesborough, Tenn. (Crockett High School)

Nobody is better positioned to fill the hybrid defensive tackle role for Tennessee football better than Austin Lewis. Before joining the ETSU Bucs, he spent three years with the Liberty Flames and had 13 tackles for a loss and six sacks his first two years. Injuries then kicked in, but he’s fully healthy now, so he should be able to contribute immediately.

Commitments in 2022 recruiting class

Tyre West

  • 6’3″ 290 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Tifton, Ga. (Tifton County High School)

Arguably the most high-profile commitment in the Vols’ 2022 class, Tyre West stood out as an early enrollee in the spring. As a result, he seems like somebody who’s ready to take the field immediately, and given his frame, he could also offset the loss of Matthew Butler.

Jordan Phillips

  • 6’2″ 295 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Orlando, Fla. (Ocoee High School)

Here’s another early enrollee who has a profile similar to Butler’s. Phillips didn’t come as highly touted as West, and he didn’t make a splash in the spring, but he still brings a lot of potential. As a result, he can definitely help with the depth portion of the line.

Jayson Jenkins

  • 6’6″ 280 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Bordentown, N.J.

Although he wasn’t an early enrollee, Jayson Jenkins was a huge pickup for Tennessee football. He brings a unique frame that will also put him into that hybrid role up front, and given the departures, that means he’ll have a chance to play early.

Walk-ons

Camron Douglas

  • 6’3″ 305 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Brownsville, Tenn. (Haywood High School)

Joshua Helsdon

  • 6’4″ 260 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Cleveland, Tenn. (Bradley Central High School)
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