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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols media session pre-fall camp 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel answers questions during media day in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sunday, July 31, 2022.KNS-UT-Heupel-NCAA
Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel answers questions during media day in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sunday, July 31, 2022.KNS-UT-Heupel-NCAA /
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Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) reacts after he is called out of bounds on his run into the end zone during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) reacts after he is called out of bounds on his run into the end zone during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jalin Hyatt and Brandon Turnage the most guaranteed new starters

They didn’t say it explicitly, but if you heard Tim Banks and Alex Golesh speak, it would be pretty easy to figure out that Jalin Hyatt and Brandon Turnage would fill two of the voids for Tennessee football this year. Although they were already favorites to do just that, this pretty much explicitly proved they would.

Given the way the coaches touted Hyatt in spring ball and the way Heupel touted him at SEC Media Days, it seemed pretty clear that he would be the one to replace Velus Jones Jr. in the slot. However, Golesh’s statements made that pretty clear.

Golesh specifically said that Hyatt took “monumental strides” in the spring and that Jimmy Calloway, another favorite in the slot, has to work on consistency. Analyzing those comments, it’s clear Hyatt is the favorite to start there. Things are similar for Turnage.

Banks said that Turnage has worked out at cornerback and nickel, and it’s really about where he’s the best fit. Taking that into account, he’s also likely to start somewhere, as Banks said it would be hard to keep him off the field. As a result, while Hyatt will replace Jones, Turnage will replace Theo Jackson or Alontae Taylor, so two voids are filled.

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