All for Tennessee
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Personnel makes short-yardage plays still a problem

Sure, it was a horrible call in the Music City Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers. Jaylen Wright scored a touchdown in overtime. However, it shouldn’t have been that close, and Tennessee football struggled with short-yardage plays all year. Missing on 4th and short cost them against Purdue and Pitt, which made them 7-6 instead of 9-4.

This year, that issue still stands. It started with the season-ending injury to Len’Neth Whitehead. The transfers of Dee Beckwith in the offseason and Tee Higgins early last season made Whitehead their only power back. Without him, the Vols don’t even have a designated short-yardage back.

Beyond the running back issue, though, which also saw Wright practice banged up in fall camp while also seeing Lyn-J Dixon transfer to the Vols and leave the program within a matter of three weeks, the offensive line situation isn’t worked out yet. We’re not just talking about the void Cade Mays left at tackle either.

Interior blocking, while solid, was a problem when Cooper Mays was banged up because UT had no backup plan at center. There are no signs that they found an adequate backup center this year, and that means another injury could be devastating. Combine those two issues, and once again, short-yardage gains will be difficult for them.

Home/Vols Football