Volquest projects Tennessee’s two-deep depth chart for Week 1 vs. Virginia: Defense
Welcome to game week. The 2023 season is finally here with No. 10 Tennessee facing Virginia on Saturday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon Eastern Time and the game will be televised by SEC.
On Monday, Tennessee will produce some sort of depth chart in its weekly game notes, most likely littered with multiple players bracketed as possible starters at positions.
Here, the Volquest staff makes its predictions — emphasis on predictions — for what the two-deep depth chart on defense might look like in Week 1 against Virginia.
Defensive Tackle
StarterOmari ThomasBackupKurott GarlandStarterOmarr Norman-LottBackupBryson Eason
Omari Thomas started all 13 games last season, finishing with 26 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. He had four quarterback hits, too, and once again will be leaned on heavily in 2023 at the center of Tennessee’s defensive front. Omarr Norman-Lott should be a difference maker after transferring from Arizona State, with all the feedback being positive during fall camp. Elijah Simmons was an injury casualty during fall camp and could miss the early portions of the season.
Defensive End
StarterDominic BaileyBackupTyler Baron
With Byron Young off to the NFL, the question becomes who can consistently get after the quarterback for Tennessee this season. Dominic Bailey was in the rotation in all 13 games last season. Tyler Baron had 22.0 tackles in 2022, including 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
LEO
StarterRoman HarrisonBackupJames Pearce
Roman Harrison looks the part and, in a perfect world, will play the part for Tennessee as a senior this season. He had 39.0 tackles, eighth most on the team, in 2022. He had 7.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks, tied for a team high. James Pearce was an On3 five-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class and played in all 13 games last season, finishing with 5.0 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
Linebacker
StarterAaron BeasleyBackupArion CarterStarterKeenan PiliBackupElijah Herring
Aaron Beasley returns after leading Tennessee with 76.0 tackles last season, including 13.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Former BYU linebacker Keenan Pili has been an important veteran addition out of the NCAA Transfer Portal. Arion Carter has looked the part in fall camp after signing with the Vols as an in-state four-star prospect ranked in the top 125 in the 2023 class. Elijah Herring had 11.0 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks as a freshman last season.
Cornerback
StarterDoneiko SlaughterBackupGabe Jeudy-LallyStarterKamal HaddenBackupGabe Jeudy-Lally
Tennessee has more bodies to work with in the secondary. The question is who are the best four, five or six options across the defensive backfield. Doneiko Slaughter starred at corner against Kentucky last season and has worked at the position during fall camp. Kamal Hadden has drawn positive reviews and Gabe Jeudy-Lally is another important NCAA Transfer Portal addition out of BYU.
Safety
StarterWesley WalkerBackupAndre TurrentineStarterJaylen McColloughBackupJourdan Thomas
When Tim Banks met with reporters after Friday’s practice and was asked about his safeties, he said it starts with Jaylen McCollough. Andre Turrentine seems to be taking the right steps forward and Wesley Walker had 36.0 tackles, an interception and four passes broken up in 13 games last season after transferring from Georgia Tech. Jourdan Thomas had 10 tackles in 13 games as a freshman last season, too.
Star
StarterTamarion McDonald-or-Warren Burrell
Senior Tamarion McDonald was Tennessee’s fourth-leading tackler last season, finishing with 56.0. He had 4.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four passes broken up and a fumble recovery, too. Redshirt senior Warren Burrell had a career-high 41.0 tackles in 12 games last season before being sidelined by injury and playing only two games last fall.
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