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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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Nov 20, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) plays defense during the first half against the South Alabama Jaguars at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) plays defense during the first half against the South Alabama Jaguars at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Pick Analysis. Linebacker. Redshirt senior. Jeremy Banks. 12. Scouting Report. player. 839

6’1″ 224 pounds

Last year’s PFF regular season grades for Tennessee football’s three rotational linebackers should put them all in danger of losing their starting jobs, especially with Juwan Mitchell returning from a season-ending injury.. There’s a reason Solon Page III and Aaron Beasley, the other two linebackers in that rotation, won’t be on this list.

However, Jeremy Banks is an exception. Sure, his PFF grade and issues in quarterback containment keep him lower on here than he otherwise would be, but his production still stands out in a huge way. It’s enough for him to be a sure bet as a returning starter at the position.

Banks led everybody in the SEC who has returned for this year in total tackles with 128, and he led all returning SEC linebackers in solo tackles with 59. His 11.5 tackles for a loss is top five among returning SEC linebackers. Add in his five and a half sacks, his four pass deflections and his one interception, and he was all over the field.

There’s a reason Banks is All-SEC entering 2022. He’s got some issues in his game he needs to work on, but he has proven enough that he is certainly safe in his role as a starter. No other player is a sure enough bet at that position, and they all bring questions.

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