Tennessee Depth Chart and Schedule Release

[tsweezy]

As the page turns from spring scrimmages to the real deal, we check in on the Tennessee Volunteers as their ravenous fanbase finally gets some details for the upcoming season.

 

First, the depth chart. Included are expected contributors for this season

 

Backs

QB: Brandon Savage - Jr -  Pocket - A overall

(backup - Mark Koch - So -  Balanced - B overall)

RB: Joe Williams - (So) - Receiving - A- overall

(backup - Jose Bandy - (So) - Receiving - B overall)

Starting with the obvious here. Savage is back. The reigning Heisman winner was nearly unstoppable last season and based on his progressions and spring performances, he'll be even better this season. Enemies beware. Backing him up is Mark Koch because #JOC needs a redshirt year to stay far enough separated from Savage. 

At running back we've got Joe Williams who is a freak on paper for an underclassmen, but has been a little bit hot and cold in games. His backup is Jose Bandy who's just a worse version of Joe. This room will be scary, but definitely not what defenses are going to be gameplanning on shutting down.

 

Receivers

WR1:  Hayes Edwards - (Sr) -  Route Runner - A overall

WR2: Quincy Stanton - (So) - Route Runner - B+ overall

WR3: Alex Smith-Schuster - (So) - Possession - B+ overall

WR4: Eric Barnhart - Sr - Red Zone Threat - A- overall OR BJ Flash - Fr - Speed - B overall
 

TE1: Kendrick Mateo - (Jr) - Blocking - A- overall

Tennessee has a strong case for WR-U. 1st rounders in 2021 and 2022 drafts, and then Matt Siri went in the 3rd round last season. This year Hayes Edwards is the all-american candidate making that run. Behind him are a couple strong underclassmen vying to be the next WR1, with the potential to see true freshman BJ Flash in some spot duty if he can avoid the redshirt.

TE is not a heavy feature in this offense, but Kendrick Mateo is a pivotal piece in pass pro / safety valve duty along with lending some run blocking support to an OL that badly needs it.

 

Offensive Line

LT: Jhonatan Perry - (Jr) - Pass Blocking - B+ overall

LG: JJ Bolt - Sr - Balanced - B+ overall OR Steven Henry - (So) - Run Blocking - B overall

C : (OG) Dare Bazata - Sr - Balanced - B+ overall OR Marcus Morrow - (So) - Balanced - B overall

RG: Garrett Lazard - Jr - Pass Blocking - B+ overall

RT: Myles Hernandez - (So) - Pass Blocking - B+ overall

If there's a weak point in the well-oiled machine that is the Tennessee offense, it's the OL. Not even a single A- overall can be found, but there is potential to have all 5 starters return next year if Henry and Morrow show out. Battle to keep an eye on is Dare Bazata as a senior guard kicking in to center vs. the underclassmen Morrow trying to start his career at his natural position. Solid enough pass blocking grades all around, but the lack of a push could be concerning for the run game.

 

Defensive Line

LE: Mike Anderson - (Sr) - Balanced - B+ overall OR Roger London - (Fr) - Speed Rusher - B overall

DT1: Ernesto Moran - (Fr) - Pass Rusher - B overall

DT2: Johnathan Sowell - (So) - Nose Tackle - B+ overall OR (DE) Douglas Dimmadome Jr. - (So) - Balanced - B+ overall

RE: Matthew Cano - (Sr) - Speed Rusher - A overall

Anderson and Cano returned for their 5th year to try and finally make a title run. Cano is the best player on the defense, but 5-star Roger London is making a push to unseat Anderson at the other end. Something funky to keep an eye on is in the interior. Doug Dimmadome Jr, son of Doug Dimmadome, owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, is too good to keep off the field entirely, but the DE room is simply too crowded for him to get snaps. Look for Tennessee to swap around him and Sowell and see who winds up producing more as it seems a heavy pass vs. run defense choice. 

Linebackers

LOLB: Henry Andriese - (So) - Coverage - B overall

MLB: Jonathan Adames - Jr - Coverage - B overall

ROLB: Albert Falu - (Jr) - Speed - B+ overall

Weakest room on the team bar none. Fortunately all are coming back. Unfortunately (for one of them), 5-star Tee Sweezy might be too good to bench next season after he takes his redshirt year. Until then the linebackers are good enough against the pass and just pray that running backs don't make it to the second level too often. 

Secondary

CB1: Ben Jordan - Sr - Zone - B+ overall

CB2: Justin Gsellman - (So) - Zone - B+ overall

CB3: Lorenzo Travis - (So) - Zone - B overall

CB4: James Peckham - (Fr) - Zone - B overall

FS: Matt Richardson - (Jr) - Ball Hawk - A overall

SS: Jawun Burfict - (Jr) - Man - A- overall

There is a lot of talent in the pipe at CB, but they just aren't quite seasoned enough to be a top-flight unit this year. Good enough is their mantra though, because the safeties are extremely good at cleaning up messes and stopping anything from going over the top. 5/6 of these guys come back next year too when they'll be really scary. More good news is that everyone on the roster is very scheme-aligned.

 

Special Teams

K: Marquez Garces - Jr - Power - B- overall

P: Marcus Jackson - Jr - Accuracy - B overall

These guys had to be pressed into service as part of the first recruiting class. They aren't the best specialists in the world but they're Good Enough(TM). Garces has a leg and will make some long kicks but what we really need is for him to make all his XPs. Also it's funny to me that we've got Marcus and Marquez as the duo.

 

Final Tally of expected contributors

Seniors: 7

Juniors: 10

Sophomores: 12

Freshman: 4

 

Schedule Reveal

The Television schedule has recently been released and there are some high profile matchups on the docket.

Week 1 - at (13) Wisconsin - Saturday 1:00 PM on Fox

Week 2 - Vs. ULL - Friday 8:00 PM on SEC Network

• Theme: "Volunteer Spirit Night"
• Promotion: First 5,000 fans receive a Volunteer Spirit Bandana.
• Activities: Pre-game volunteer fair showcasing local community service opportunities.

Week 3 - at Liberty - Saturday 6:00 PM on ESPN

Week 4 - at Arkansas - Saturday 3:30 PM on SEC Network

Week 5 - Vs. Florida - Saturday 3:00 PM on ABC

• Theme: "Orange Crush"
• Promotion: Fans encouraged to wear orange. The first 10,000 fans receive an exclusive orange Tennessee cap.
• Activities: Halftime orange juice squeezing contest with prizes.

Week 6 - Vs. Alabama - Saturday 3:30 PM on CBS

• Theme: "Gridiron Grub Fest"
• Promotion: First 3,000 fans receive a "Taste of Tennessee" voucher for a free local delicacy at stadium concession stands.
• Activities: Culinary showdown featuring iconic dishes from Tennessee and Alabama. Fans can taste and vote on their favorite dishes. The state with the most votes gets bragging rights and a food trophy displayed at the next home game.

Week 8 - at (5) Georgia - Saturday 3:30 PM on ABC

Week 9 - vs. Mississippi State - Friday 7:30 PM on SEC Network

• Theme: "Halloween Haunt"
• Promotion: Costume contest for fans, with the winner receiving season tickets for next year.
• Activities: Haunted house set up in the tailgate area.

Week 10 - Vs. Alcorn State - Saturday 12:00 PM on SEC Network+

• Theme: "Family Day"
• Promotion: Family ticket packs at reduced prices. Post-game fireworks display.
• Activities: Pre-game family-friendly activities and photo ops with the mascot.

Week 11 - Vs. (7) Kentucky - Saturday 7:30 PM on ABC

• Theme: "Veterans Salute"
• Promotion: All veterans and active military receive free entry with a guest.
• Activities: Military appreciation ceremony at halftime with a flyover

Week 12 - at Oklahoma - Saturday 8:00 PM on ESPN

Week 14 - at Vanderbilt - Saturday 3:10 PM on SEC Network