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Tennessee football’s five biggest concerns for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Fall camp is over, and excitement is in the air surrounding Josh Heupel’s second season as head coach of Tennessee football. However, you can’t let the excitement cloud certain undeniable facts. The Vols were 7-6 last year, just barely over .500, and they entered the offseason with plenty of issues they needed to address.

Some of those appear solved. It’s pretty obvious that Jalin Hyatt should replace Velus Jones Jr. fine in the slot and that there are plenty of options to replace Javonta Payton as the No. 2 wideout. There is also depth to address the losses on the offensive and defensive lines.

However, based on what we’ve seen in spring and August practices along with what the players and coaches have said, there are clear things to worry about heading into the season. Then there is just the nature of things that were naturally a problem. Here are the five biggest concerns for Tennessee football entering 2022.

These issues could derail the Tennessee football Volunteers in Josh Heupel’s second season.

Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) and linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) ready to play defense 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 linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) and linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) ready to play defense during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Lack of answers at LB

Yes, Jeremy Banks is a preseason All-SEC linebacker who led all returning SEC players in tackles last year, all returning SEC linebackers in solo tackles and was top five among returning SEC linebackers in tackles for a loss. It’s also true that Juwan Mitchell is healthy again after suffering a season-ending injury early last years.

Those two things somewhat alleviate this concern along with every contributor returning and the addition of newcomers Elijah Herring and Kalib Perry. However, you still can’t ignore that the three rotational linebackers, Banks, Aaron Beasley and Solon Page III had the three lowest PFF regular season grades of any defender who played at least 100 snaps.

Combine that with Aaron Willis transferring, William Mohan’s suspension and the questions surrounding just how ready Mitchell will be to go, and what plagued Tennessee football last year could be a problem again. This was always an issue, and nothing would’ve changed that.

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