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Tennessee football: 10 players Vols can least afford to lose for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive back Trevon Flowers (1) and teammates return to the locker room after warming up for the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021.Utvsc1007
Tennessee defensive back Trevon Flowers (1) and teammates return to the locker room after warming up for the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021.Utvsc1007 /
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Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs the ball during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs the ball during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Cedric Tillman. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Wide receiver. r-Senior. 6. 839

6’3″ 215 pounds

On paper, Cedric Tillman should be way higher. He is a returning 1,000-yard receiver, something Tennessee football hasn’t had since 2002. In addition to having the fourth most yards in a single season and tied for the second most touchdowns last year, Tillman is the only returning starter at receiver given the departures of Velus Jones Jr. and JaVonta Payton.

You could honestly make the case for Tillman to be No. 1. However, there is a bit of projection to move him down here. Yes, all of those things make Tillman one of the players UT can least afford to lose. A litany of untapped potential at receiver combined with Josh Heupel’s ability to maximize talent there keep him from being the toughest player to replace.

Let’s start in the slot. Jalin Hyatt appears to be destined to break out into a superstar this year, and Jimmy Calloway has lots of potential behind him. Meanwhile, Ramel Keyton is still a solid wideout who could play Tillman’s position if something happened.

Add in USC Trojans transfer Bru McCoy, who was once a five-star wideout, plus newcomers Chas Nimrod and Kaleb Webb, and the Vols are loaded with options. Don’t get it twisted, though. Even with all those guys, which puts Tillman down here, he is still a critical player, and losing him would cause lots of problems.

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