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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 wide receiver Jimmy Holiday (6) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Jimmy Holiday (6) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /

3. Return specialist

Velus Jones Jr. left a void at kickoff and punt returner. Tennessee football’s most likely kickoff returner is Jimmy Holiday, as he returned the second most kicks last year. Adding Squirrel White made the race interesting in the spring, and Trevon Flowers does have some experience returning punts, albeit not too much successful experience.

All of those guys were competing in the spring. The addition of two new all-purpose backs after that, though, ups the ante here. One of those additions is Dylan Sampson, a three-star in Rocky Top’s 2022 recruiting class. With Jaylen Wright as the expected main all-purpose back, you could see Sampson see some action here.

Also, though, the Vols added Clemson Tigers transfer Lyn-J Dixon late to offset the loss of Len’Neth Whitehead, who is out for the season. Since Dixon is an all-purpose back replacing a power back, Heupel added another player who can return kicks.

Indeed, Dixon returned nine kicks for Clemson in 2020. He actually transferred to the West Virginia Mountaineers this past offseason but left after the spring. Don’t be surprised if he becomes an impact player on special teams and in the offense for Tennessee football this fall. Kickoff returner has options with all of these guys, but punt returner is a bit more up in the air.

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