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Tennessee football: Five strongest cities contributing to Vols’ 2022 roster

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive linemen Omari Thomas (21) and lineman Kurott Garland (99) warming up before the NCAA football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and South Alabama Jaguars in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 20, 2021.Utvsal1120
Tennessee defensive linemen Omari Thomas (21) and lineman Kurott Garland (99) warming up before the NCAA football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and South Alabama Jaguars in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 20, 2021.Utvsal1120 /
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Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) makes an interception during an NCAA football game between Tennessee and Missouri on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., on Saturday, Oct. 2 , 2021.Utmizzou 1002 0807
Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) makes an interception during an NCAA football game between Tennessee and Missouri on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., on Saturday, Oct. 2 , 2021.Utmizzou 1002 0807 /

2. Memphis, Tenn.

Raw numbers was enough to put Nashville ahead of Knoxville when it comes to Tennessee football’s contributors from certain areas this year. It wasn’t enough to put the city ahead of Memphis though. Memphis has over a dozen players from the city or area, just slightly fewer than Nashville, and easily more confirmed starters.

You’re talking All-SEC potential with the starters from Memphis. Jeremy Banks of Cordova is penciled in at linebacker, and Cordova is basically Memphis. His high school teammate, Jerome Carvin, is locked in as a starting offensive linemen. Jabari Small is locked in at running back, and Omari Thomas is locked in at defensive lineman.

That makes for four players who are 100 percent guaranteed to start. Then you’ve got Tamarion McDonald, Bryson Eason and Cameron Miller, all scholarship players on defense who were highly touted recruits and are expected to contribute at some point.

Elijah Simmons was mentioned for Nashville, so he’s got to be mentioned for Memphis. Walk-ons Jerrod Gentry, Hunter Barnes, Bennett Brady, Ben Bolton and Isaac Green all round out players from this city as well. Simply put, the talent from Memphis is clear. It would have a case to be No. 1 on this list, and it remains the best city in the state for the Vols.

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