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Tennessee football: Five surprises from Vols’ first depth chart of 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee Herd Coach Josh Heupel at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee Herd Coach Josh Heupel at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /
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After months of debate and preparation, Tennessee football finally has its depth chart out. Josh Heupel and the Vols released their two-deep roster ahead of Thursday’s opener against the Ball State Cardinals. Given so many starters returning, we had a good idea what most of the positions would look like this year.

However, there were some position battles, so not everything was sure. While the person to fill some of those voids was obvious, others were much more open. With this depth chart, the final result of those battles included numerous things we didn’t expect even up to this moment.

Those shockers include certain positions people will line up in, who is in competition to start at certain spots and which players are conspicuously absent. What this means for Thursday, we still don’t know, but let’s dive in to what we didn’t see coming here. These are the five biggest surprises from Tennessee football’s first depth chart of 2022.

Here’s what stands out on the Tennessee football Volunteers’ roster during the first week of Josh Heupel’s second season on the job.

Tennessee defensive back Desmond Williams (25) drills during Tennessee football spring practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 10
Tennessee defensive back Desmond Williams (25) drills during Tennessee football spring practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 10 /

5. Dee Williams an option at punt returner

A junior college commitment in the Vols’ 2022 recruiting class, Josh Heupel targeted Dee Williams for more experience at defensive back given the departures of Alontae Taylor and Andre Turrentine. With an array of injuries, Williams was one of just a few players able to participate in spring practice, which should have given him an edge.

It didn’t, though, and he now finds himself as a backup there. However, Williams was able to work his way into another rotation. Velus Jones Jr.’s departure left an opening at kickoff and punt returner, and while Jimmy Holiday has the kick returner spot locked up, punt returner is wide open.

Trevon Flowers was the favorite for that role, but it appears as if Williams worked his way into there too. As a result, Williams and Flowers are considered co-starters there. You would have thought Squirrel White would win the role, but he’s nowhere on Tennessee football’s special teams roster. Williams being on there is shocking.

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