QUARTERBACKS
Jarrett Guarantano had the advantage of going through spring practices under first-year coach Jeremy Pruitt and offensive coordinator Tyson Helton. Graduate transfer Keller Chryst has the advantage of an 11-2 career record as a starter for Stanford. It’s Guarantano’s upside against Chryst’s experience and game-managing prowess. Both may get a chance. Having a third quarterback with game experience in sophomore Will McBride is a bonus for the position’s depth, as Tennessee will look to redshirt true freshman J.T. Shrout.
RUNNING BACKS
Ty Chandler graced the cover of three college football preview magazines distributed in Tennessee this summer. The dynamic sophomore is a bit smaller than what the coaching staff prefers, but he is too quick to keep off the field. Look for him to get the football outside the tackles while Helton uses Michigan State graduate transfer Madre London and freshman Jeremy Banks to gain yards between the tackles. Sophomore Tim Jordan is an undersized bruiser who had a nice spring game.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Juniors Marquez Callaway and Brandon Johnson and redshirt junior Jauan Jennings combine to give the Vols a solid first-team receiving corps. Behind them, sophomore Josh Palmer will need to take a step forward, and fans will hope that junior Tyler Byrd responds well to the new coaching staff after going mysteriously quiet last season. A slot receiver needs to emerge from the group of Jacquez Jones, Latrell Williams and Jordan Murphy.
OFFENSIVE LINE
This group was so battered that walk-ons played late last season and defensive linemen switched sides of the ball during spring practices to provide depth. Trey Smith’s return to the field after receiving treatment for blood clots in his lungs during the offseason is a relief, but there are still questions about who will play and where. The addition of Alabama graduate transfer Brandon Kennedy should help.
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Offensive Depth Chart
QUARTERBACK
1-A Jarrett Guarantano, R-So, 6-4/209
1-B Keller Chryst, R-Sr., 6-5/239
RUNNING BACK
Ty Chandler, So., 5-11/201
Madre London, R-Sr., 6-1/213
Tim Jordan, So., 5-11/203
Jeremy Banks, Fr., 61/211
WIDE RECEIVER 1
Jauan Jennings, R-Jr., 6-3/221
Cedric Tillman, Fr., 6-3/212
WIDE RECEIVER 2
Marquez Callaway, Jr., 6-2/200
Josh Palmer, So., 6-2/201
WIDE RECEIVER 3
Brandon Johnson, Jr., 6-2/189
Jordan Murphy, So., 6-0/177
TIGHT END
Dominick Wood-Anderson, Jr., 6-4/257
Eli Wolf, R-Jr., 6-4/236
LEFT TACKLE
Trey Smith, So., 6-6/320
Marcus Tatum, R-So., 6-6/293
LEFT GUARD
Riley Locklear, So., 6-4/293
Jerome Carvin, Fr., 6-5/303
CENTER
Brandon Kennedy, R-Jr., 6-3/301
Ollie Lane, Fr., 6-4/308
RIGHT GUARD
Ryan Johnson, R-So., 6-6/302
K’Rojhn Calbert, R-Fr., 6-5/327
RIGHT TACKLE
Drew Richmond, R-Jr., 6-5/316
Chance Hall, R-Jr., 6-5/328