KNOXVILLE - At some point in Tennessee's season opener against West Virginia on Saturday, head coach Jeremy Pruitt is likely to call a blitz that leaves a player who was in high school a year ago defending a pass from a preseason All-America quarterback.
A Tennessee depth chart released Monday listed true freshmen Alontae Taylor and Bryce Thompson as co-starters at cornerback, confirming that the Volunteers' task of slowing the Mountaineers' high-powered offense will fall partially on inexperienced shoulders in the opening game of the Pruitt era.
"Everywhere we've coached, we've always tried to play the best players," Pruitt said. "If you play the best players, sometimes it is freshmen. By us playing them, it shows that we have confidence in their ability to play."
Here’s the #Vols offensive depth chart for week one. Keller Chryst and Jarrett Guarantano are listed as co-starters. pic.twitter.com/Gc53YeWsiq
— David Cobb (@DavidWCobb) August 27, 2018
Pruitt's early faith in Taylor and Thompson is an indication of their upside. Both entered college classified as athletes without a definite positional home. With Tennessee's top four cornerbacks from last season departed, both have impressed during preseason practices.
There will be no time to acclimate to the college game, however. While games against inferior foes East Tennessee State and Texas-El Paso await in weeks two and three, West Virginia presents a daunting challenge in game one.
Will Grier is considered a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate, and WVU receivers David Sills and Gary Jennings are among the best in the Big 12.
Don't expect to see Alontae Taylor back at WR anytime soon. The freshman CB balled out during today's open practice. Here's the video proof: an INT vs. Guarantano. pic.twitter.com/tvu3CJt6E7
— David Cobb (@DavidWCobb) August 5, 2018
"I think our guys guard pretty good wide receivers every day," Pruitt said. "I think these guys are competitive. They're still learning the position. They don't have a whole lot of experience playing that position. But, you know, all across the country this week there will be guys that's playing something for the first time in college football. To me, I look at it as an opportunity.
"This is why they came to the University of Tennessee. They want to play in big games like this. They want to play on the biggest stage. And if you're kind of made the right way, that's what they want to do and they'll be ready for it."
Taylor and Thompson are two of 13 newcomers or redshirt freshmen listed in the two-deep list distributed Monday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EDT at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
#Vols week one defensive depth chart. Interesting to see Bryce Thompson listed as a co-starter with Alontae Taylor at cornerback. Both are true freshmen. pic.twitter.com/mknM4wchAU
— David Cobb (@DavidWCobb) August 27, 2018
"We're going to make mistakes," Pruitt said. "Everybody is going to make mistakes. But the key to the drill is playing the next play. Keep your poise, play with confidence and believe in what you're trying to get done. I believe the guys we put on the field Saturday will play that way."
Elsewhere on the depth chart, junior college transfer Jahmir Johnson is listed as a co-starter with sophomore Riley Locklear at left guard, freshman Trevon Flowers is listed as a backup at safety to Micah Abernathy and freshman Kingston Harris is listed as a backup defensive end.
The depth chart released is considered "tentative," according to UT, as Pruitt stressed that position battles are continuing in practice this week and will last into the season.
Still, the inclusion of Taylor and Thompson as co-starters at cornerback is an indication that Vols fans should get used to hearing their names over the next few years. Taylor burst onto the scene with a strong showing in an open practice earlier this month. The hype around Thompson has been more measured as he did not participate in spring practices like Taylor. But the former four-star prospect has caught on to the defensive scheme quickly this month.
"I think those guys will do just fine," redshirt junior outside linebacker Darrell Taylor said. "They've been doing pretty good in practice, holding up the standard and doing what everyone's asked of them."
Pruitt said that "you have to pick and choose your spots" when it comes to calling blitzes. With freshmen debuting at cornerback against the Mountaineers, that mantra may ring especially true Saturday.
"Because any time you bring pressure, that puts pressure on the back end in the secondary," Pruitt said. "As I've said all along, you know the defensive backs place the limitations on the defense."
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.