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Tennessee football’s 15 safest starting spots on 2022 roster in fall camp

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football /
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Unlike last year, when Tennessee football suffered a wave of transfers and had a brand new coaching staff, leaving numerous starting positions wide open, the Vols enter this year on much more solid ground with returning starters. In fact, very few teams are as sure of their starter at as many positions as UT.

Josh Heupel’s system took off with surprise breakout stars in 2021, and most of them are back for 2022. As we get set to take a look at the safest starting spots for this year, notice how that number outweighs the position battles, which is shocking given the school’s recent history.

Our criteria for this is mostly about which starters are returning, but the level of safety at that position is dictated by how much competition they have or if players in their role who were hurt last year have now returned. Using those factors, here are Tennessee football’s 15 safest starting spots heading into this year.

These positions are secure for the Tennessee football Volunteers in fall camp ahead of Josh Heupel’s second year on the job.

Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers long snapper Matthew Salansky (47) stands on the sideline during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers long snapper Matthew Salansky (47) stands on the sideline during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

839. Pick Analysis. Long snapper. Redshirt junior. Matthew Salansky. player. Scouting Report. 15

5’11” 245 pounds

In terms of starting experience, Matthew Salansky should probably be higher. He has been the Vols’ long snapper on all field goals and punts over the past two years, even running off a scholarship player at the position in Will Albright. There’s no doubt that Salansky will be back to resume those duties on special teams once again.

However, long snapper is a role that can be replaced pretty easily. The Vols have redshirt junior Alton Stephens on the roster, and they just added a freshman in Bennett Brady. In the past they have used different long snappers on punts and field goals.

Is it possible with a newcomer that Tennessee football does that this year? There’s no way of knowing, but the limited action of a long snapper combined with a newcomer is why Salansky is down here. Still, there’s no denying that he’s got a safe starting spot, another part of locking up the kicking side of special teams for UT this year.

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