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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 Brandon Turnage (8) during Tennessee football’s third practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022.Kns Tennessee Football Third Practice
Tennessee’s Brandon Turnage (8) during Tennessee football’s third practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022.Kns Tennessee Football Third Practice /

5. Nickel

Given the departure of Theo Jackson, it was obvious Tennessee football would have an opening at nickel this year and that it would be a position battle. However, the Vols were without Brandon Turnage during the spring due to injury, and they hadn’t yet added Andre Turrentine or Wesley Walker, who could have been in the running.

Since Turnage was actually the favorite to replace Jackson, that made the race irrelevant then. Well, Turnage is now on the roster. Turrentine and Walker, who transferred from the Ohio State Buckeyes and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets respectively, are on the roster.

They join Doneiko Slaughter in this race. Last year, Slaughter saw more action backing up Jackson than Turnage, but Turnage got the start when Jackson was out against the South Carolina Gamecocks, and he won SEC Defensive Player of the Week. It’s interesting alone between those two players.

However, there’s another twist. Returning safety Trevon Flowers could get looks at nickel, and Tamarion McDonald, a backup safety also has seen action there. Turrentine and Walker are seeing time at safety too, so that somewhat brings safety in as a position battle. Cheyenne Labruzza could be a factor on that front. Still, it all really comes down to nickel.

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