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Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should have breakout seasons in 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Jimmy Holiday (6) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Jimmy Holiday (6) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /
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Tennessee’s Brandon Turnage (8) during Tennessee football’s third practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022.Kns Tennessee Football Third Practice
Tennessee’s Brandon Turnage (8) during Tennessee football’s third practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022.Kns Tennessee Football Third Practice /

player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. r-Junior. Brandon Turnage. Defensive back. 2. 839

6’1″ 186 pounds

As mentioned, the losses of Alontae Taylor and Theo Jackson leave Willie Martinez and Tim Banks looking for a new rotation at cornerback and nickel. While Kamal Hadden could fill the void at cornerback, Brandon Turnage should be an automatic to fill the void at nickel. It’s possible he sees the field as a cornerback as well.

All signs point to Turnage starting in some role. He’s obviously got some competition at nickel, as Doneiko Slaughter played it primarily last year when backing up Jackson. However, when Jackson was hurt for the Vols’ matchup with the South Carolina Gamecocks, Turnage stepped in and won SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

Taking that into account, Turnage seems like he should be the favorite. Either way, though, he’s got competition, as De’Shawn Rucker and Christian Charles could push him at cornerback along with Hadden, Dee Williams and Warren Burrell. Still, he’s going to start somewhere.

Landing Turnage last year as a transfer from the Alabama Crimson Tide was huge for depth. This year was the reason for adding him. Beyond depth, Turnage should become one of the biggest weapons in the secondary when you analyze his potential, and that’s why he’s a top breakout candidate for Tennessee football.

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