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Ranking Tennessee football’s position units for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction /
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Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) exits the field after Tennessee’s 41-17 loss to Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football
Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) exits the field after Tennessee’s 41-17 loss to Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football /

6. Defensive tackle

Matthew Butler was a huge loss for Tennessee football. However, when you look at the interior, the Vols still have enough to be middle of the pack. Omari Thomas came on last year at the position. Da’Jon Terry emerged as well when Elijah Simmons got hurt, and now both are back while Simmons is fully healthy.

LaTrell Bumphus has a ton of potential and, given his background playing multiple positions, should easily be ready to step up and fill the void left by Butler. Kurott Garland brings a level of experience to help offset the loss of Butler as well, so this should make one part of the defensive tackle combination easy to deal with.

Rodney Garner also has fast-rising young talent in Tyre West, and Jordan Phillips is another freshman who provides depth.. He appears to have done a good amount of work with Bryson Eason as well, setting the stage for the guy to have a breakout campaign on Rocky Top.

As a result, the Vols should actually be okay up front. They aren’t going to have what they had in 2001 when they didn’t allow a rushing touchdown and didn’t even have to blitz all year because of John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth, but they’ve got more than enough for a solid rotation.

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