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Tennessee football: Top 15 dark-horse Vols for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) warming up before the start of the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Bowling Green Falcons in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.Ut Bowling Green
Tennessee defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) warming up before the start of the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Bowling Green Falcons in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.Ut Bowling Green /
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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 /

Christian Charles. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defensive back. 5. 839. Sophomore

6’1″ 186 pounds

Staying in the secondary, Christian Charles is in the same situation De’Shawn Rucker is in. Both were backup cornerbacks for Tennessee football last year, and both blocked punts. However, Charles is quite a few spots higher on our list for a few reasons. To start off, he was more productive last year in fewer games.

Charles registered eight tackles and a tackle for a loss. Also, Charles was actually there during spring practice, which Rucker had to miss due to injury along with a litany of other defensive backs. Finally, Charles worked out at safety during the spring, so he brings a level of versatility to the position that he didn’t have before.

Taking all of that into account, Charles has a great chance to see the field this year. He’s proven himself to be productive, and the departure of Alontae Taylor, as already mentioned, leaves a lot of openings when it comes to cornerback. If Brandon Turnage stays at nickel, those openings are even more clear.

Probably no young player has a better chance of stepping into one of those cornerback roles than Charles, and what he picked up playing safety only helps him in Tim Banks’ system. It also increases his chances of becoming a major contributor for Tennessee football.

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