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Tennessee football 2022 special teams preview: Kicking should be a huge edge

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 20, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers place kicker Chase McGrath (40) kicks the ball during the second half against the South Alabama Jaguars at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers place kicker Chase McGrath (40) kicks the ball during the second half against the South Alabama Jaguars at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee long snapper Alton Stephens (60) during an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football
Tennessee long snapper Alton Stephens (60) during an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football /

Backups returning on special teams

J.T. Carver (Place kicker)

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

Once Chase McGrath is gone, J.T. Carver will likely be in competition to start as Tennessee football’s next place kicker. He’s the only player at that position who’s returning from last year outside of McGrath, and he did attempt and make an extra point last year.

Kolby Morgan (Punter)

  • 5’11” 200 pounds
  • Redshirt freshman
  • Oneida, Tenn. (Oneida High School)

Against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, Kolby Morgan got to punt four times, and he averaged 38.5 yards per punt. That has to get better, but at least he was able to get some experience early while taking a redshirt, so he could easily step in for Brooks next year.

Alton Stephens (Long snapper)

  • 5’11” 190 pounds
  • Redshirt junior
  • Cordele, Ga. (Crisp County High School)

Initially a junior college transfer out of Georgia Military School and then a transfer from the Texas State Bobcats, Alton Stephens saw no action at long snapper for the Vols. However, if Mike Ekeler wants different snappers for punts and field goals, Stephens gives him that option.

Jimmy Holiday (Return specialist)

  • 6’0″ 205 pounds
  • Junior
  • Flora, Miss. (Madison Central High School)

Probably the player most primed to replace Velus Jones Jr. as a return specialist, Jimmy Holiday is more of a kickoff returner, and he was solid last year, averaging over 25 yards a return on five returns. He’s probably the favorite to start there this year and has already shown flashes.

Trevon Flowers (Return specialist)

  • 5’11” 200 pounds
  • Senior
  • Atlanta, Ga. (Tucker High School)

On punt returns, Trevon Flowers is the one most likely to replace Jones. He returned one kickoff for 15 yards, but he actually had minus-two yards total on three punt returns. As a result, he will still have to compete, and maybe Holiday will move there too.

Walker Merrill (Return specialist)

  • 6’1″ 195 pounds
  • Sophomore
  • Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood High School)

Len’Neth Whitehead, Miles Campbell, Christian Charles and De’Shawn Rucker all had kickoff or punt returns, but they were off blocks or short kicks, not as designated returners for Tennessee football. Walker Merrill is the one guy in that group who was a designated returner. He tried to field a one-hopper punt against TTU for no gain, but it means the coaches are looking at him.

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