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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 Desmond Williams (25) drills during Tennessee football spring practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 10
Tennessee defensive back Desmond Williams (25) drills during Tennessee football spring practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 10 /

Newcomers at DB

Transfers

Wesley Walker (Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets)

  • 6’1″ 204 pounds
  • Redshirt junior
  • Lewisburg, Tenn. (Ensworth High School)

The most experienced newcomer for Tennessee football, Wesley Walker was a two-year starter at Georgia Tech. He’s another versatile defensive back who would be most likely to compete for the starting job at nickel, but wherever he ends up, he will definitely provide necessary depth.

Andre Turrentine (Ohio State Buckeyes)

  • 5’11” 195 pounds
  • Redshirt freshman
  • Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Ensworth High School)

Unlike Walker, Andre Turrentine doesn’t have much experience, but he was also a highly touted commitment on the recruiting trail back in 2021. Now that he’s joining his high school teammate in Walker, who was two years ahead of him, he’s another guy who could play any position in the secondary, and he’ll compete for the job at nickel and cornerback.

Commitments in 2022 recruiting class

Dee Williams (JuCo)

East Central Mississippi Community College

  • 5’11” 190 pounds
  • Junior
  • Forsyth, Ga. (Mary Persons High School)

Josh Heupel got Dee Williams in during spring practice as an early enrollee, and he saw action at cornerback and nickel. He’ll also compete for both roles like Turrentine and somewhat like Walker, and given his junior college experience, he’s got a chance to make an early impact.

Christian Harrison

  • 6’1″ 190 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Atlanta, Ga. (Woodward Academy)

Rodney Harrison’s son committed to Tennessee football as a safety. Since both of those spots are locked up and he was not an early enrollee, he likely won’t see lots of action this year, however, he could work his way into the second team with a good fall.

Jourdan Thomas

  • 6’2″ 190 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Montgomery, Ala. (Montgomery Catholic Prep)

Just like Harrision, Jourdan Thomas was also a commitment at safety who was not an early enrollee. His situation is exactly the same, although the bet is on Harrison to get to the second team first just because of his football pedigree.

Walk-ons

Cameron Miller

  • 6’1″ 206 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis Academy of Health Sciences)

Malik Ganaway

  • 6’2″ 190 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Trenton, Tenn. (Peabody High School)

Shannon Blair Jr. 

  • 6’1″ 180 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville West High School)

Derek Taylor

  • 6’4″ 208 pounds
  • Freshman
  • Greenbrier, Tenn. (Greenbrier High School)
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