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Tennessee football’s top five sophomores for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs into the end zone during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs into the end zone during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee defensive back Christian Charles (14) drills during Tennessee Vols football practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022.Kns Ut Fball Practice 11
Tennessee defensive back Christian Charles (14) drills during Tennessee Vols football practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022.Kns Ut Fball Practice 11 /

Defensive back. 6'1 186 lbs. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Christian Charles. 4. player

Playing safety in the spring added much-needed versatility to Christian Charles’ game, making him one of Tennessee football’s fast-rising defensive backs.

Again, we were down to two players who were backup cornerbacks last year. De’Shawn Rucker almost got in over Christian Charles. Both were third-stringers, and they each blocked a punt last year, Charles against the Pittsburgh Panthers and Rucker against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Speed is what they bring to the table.

There is competition here to be a backup cornerback and maybe even start. Christian Charles has the edge over Rucker in that regard. For starters, Charles was there in the spring. Rucker joined a litany of Tennessee football defensive backs out due to injury, including Kamal Hadden, Brandon Turnage and Warren Burrell.

On top of that, Tim Banks and Willie Martinez moved Charles over to safety some, so he gained more experience as a whole. Taking all of that into account, while Charles will still have a hard time seeing the field as a starter, he’s in some sort of rotation.

Hadden, Turnage and Burrell have the cornerback and nickel spots likely locked up along with Doneiko Slaughter either right there or on the second team. However, after that Charles belongs as a member of the second unit too, and that’s what puts him on this list. Transfers Wesley Walker and Andre Turrentine moving to safety helps him.

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