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Tennessee football’s top 10 position battles for fall camp 2022

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’s Dominic Bailey (90) stretches 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’s Dominic Bailey (90) stretches during the first day of Tennessee football practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.Kns Tennessee Football Practice /

6. Defensive end

Newcomers here forced us to separate out Tennessee football race at defensive end. This is the spot opposite where the edge rusher would line up, basically a strongside defensive end in a typical 4-3. The Vols lost both contributors in this role from last year, as Ja’Quain Blakely and Caleb Tremblay have graduated, leaving a huge void.

Dominic Bailey is the one returning Vol who fits that void, and he was there in the spring. Amari McNeill is also back, and he could fill that void or one of the voids at defensive tackle. Keep an eye on what both of them do in the system going forward, as they already give Rodney Garner enough to work with.

However, two newcomers make this a very interesting race. East Tennessee State Buccaneers transfer Austin Lewis has arrived, and he was a very productive member of the Liberty Flames before battling injury and then joining the ETSU Bucs. With four years of experience already, he could bring a lot to the table.

Meanwhile, Rocky Top added Jayson Jenkins in the summer, and he could be an immediate contributor as well. Because of those two players and the limited experience of the returning talent, this race is wide open in the fall, and it’s a crucial part of the defensive line.

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