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Tennessee football: Five roster observations from start of 2022 fall camp

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel during the first day of Tennessee football practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.Kns Tennessee Football Practice
Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel during the first day of Tennessee football practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.Kns Tennessee Football Practice /
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Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Two new edge rushers are listed as defensive linemen

James Pearce Jr., Joshua Josephs and Jayson Jenkins were all recruited to play versions of we would consider defensive ends. Jenkins is more of an end on the line to replace Caleb Tremblay and Ja’Quain Blakely, who have since departed, given his size at 6’6″ 280 pounds. However, Pearce and Josephs seem more like edge rushers.

Standing at 6’5″ 220 pounds and 6’3″ 215 pounds respectively, you would think Pearce and Josephs would be viewed more as linebackers than defensive linemen. Tim Banks’ system still allows for certain edge rushers who are specifically a mix of defensive line and linebackers, as Byron Young, Roman Harrison and Tyler Baron all have that title.

What will the role of these two summer enrollees be for Tennessee football, though? They obviously aren’t big enough to play up on the line yet, but given the fact that they are listed there, it seems as if the coaches have some sort of focus on that. Is there a long-term plan for them to put on some weight.

Maybe Banks is fully transitioning the Vols to a standard 4-3 this year with a weakside defensive end instead of an edge rusher. His nickel-heavy 4-3 base was more multiple last year. It’s possible, though, this means nothing. Still, keep an eye on where the end up.

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