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Tennessee football 2022 secondary preview: Will transfers offset two big losses?

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Kamal Hadden (13) and defensive back Trevon Flowers (1) celebrate during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Kamal Hadden (13) and defensive back Trevon Flowers (1) celebrate during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden (13) reacts after making an interception at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden (13) reacts after making an interception at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /

Backups returning at DB

Kamal Hadden

  • 6’1″ 190 pounds
  • Redshirt junior
  • River Rouge, Mich. (River Rouge High School)

Stepping in for Warren Burrell as the No. 2 cornerback in the Music City Bowl, Kamal Hadden had an interception and played well. He showed why he was a valuable pickup for Tennessee football after transferring from the Auburn Tigers. This year, he’s in line to start at cornerback again, but there are questions about him playing the top cornerback role as there are with Burrell.

Doneiko Slaughter

  • 6’0″ 190 pounds
  • Junior
  • Roswell, Ga. (Roswell High School)

For most of the year, Doneiko Slaughter was Theo Jackson’s backup at STAR, but he had a PFF regular season grade in the 50s. Still he finished with three tackles for a loss and a sack, so he’ll certainly compete for the starting job there this year.

Brandon Turnage 

  • 6’1″ 186 pounds
  • Redshirt junior
  • Oxford, Miss. (Lafayette High School)

Here is Slaughter’s competition. Getting Brandon Turnage from the Alabama Crimson Tide was huge, and he started one game last year, against the South Carolina Gamecocks, when Jackson was hurt. All he did was win SEC Defensive Player of the Week, so there’s lots of excitement about what he can do long-term.

Christian Charles

  • 6’1″ 186 pounds
  • Sophomore
  • Gainesville, Ga. (Chestatee High School)

A speedy backup cornerback, Christian Charles blocked a punt last year and saw action at safety in the spring. As a result, he’ll likely see more action this year, and he could compete to start.

Tamarion McDonald

  • 6’2″ 200 pounds
  • Junior
  • Memphis, Tenn. (Whitehaven High School)

In line to start once Trevon Flowers or Jaylen McCollough leaves, Tamarion McDonald is a solid backup at safety. He did have an interception last year, so watch out.

Cheyenne Labruzza

  • 5’11” 200 pounds
  • Redshirt senior (Graduate)
  • Albany, La. (Albany High School)

The most experienced player in Tennessee football’s secondary, Cheyenne Labruzza hasn’t seen tons of action, but he’s been on the field at times every year since 2017. Taking advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling for one more year, he could provide depth at safety or nickel.

De’Shawn Rucker

  • 6’0″ 190 pounds
  • Sophomore
  • Tallahassee, Fla. (Godby High School)

Like Charles, Rucker was a backup cornerback last year who blocked a punt. He’ll also be in competition to start, but he missed spring ball due to injury, which limits his chances.

Will Brooks

  • 6’1″ 200 pounds
  • Redshirt sophomore
  • Birmingham, Ala. (Vestavia Hill High School)

Last year, as a walk-on, Will Brooks saw action in five games. He won’t play a lot, but that means he provides some valuable depth and experience.

Romello Edwards

  • 6’0″ 187 pounds
  • Redshirt senior
  • Philadelphia, Pa. (Neumann-Goretti High School)

Like Brooks, Edwards is a walk-on who has seen action for the Vols. He brings experienced to the table, which could also help.

Montrell Bandy

  • 6’3″ 185 pounds
  • Redshirt freshman
  • Mount Juliet, Tenn. (Mount Juliet High School)

Another walk-on, Montrell Bandy played one game last year for Tennessee football. He’s not likely to see much more action this year, but he does provide size.

Lucien Brunetti

  • 6’0″ 165 pounds
  • Redshirt freshman
  • Nashville, Tenn. (Montgomery Bell Academy)

Similar to Bandy, Lucien Brunetti is a walk-on who played in one game last year and then took a redshirt. Again, he won’t play much this year either.

William Wright

  • 6’0″ 190 pounds
  • Redshirt sophomore
  • Nashville, Tenn. (Ensworth High School)

With action in one game last year as well, William Wright is a walk-on who brings a bit more experience to the program.

Trel Riley

  • 6’1″ 180 pounds
  • Redshirt sophomore
  • Princeton, Ky. (Caldwell County High School)

Despite more years in the program than Bandy and Brunetti, Trel Riley is a walk-on  who hasn’t seen any recorded action yet.

Jerrod Gentry

  • 6’0″ 200 pounds
  • Redshirt freshman
  • Memphis, Tenn. (Briarcrest Christian School)

As the youngest walk-on who didn’t see any action last year, Jerrod Gentry is back for his second season with UT.

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