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Projecting Tennessee’s depth chart heading into summer workouts

Published: May 5, 2017 · 8:00 AM EDT

The under-90-day mark is approaching for the start of fall camp.

The 2017 season will be here before you know it, and now with spring practices in the rear view mirror, it’s time to take a look at the Vols’ depth chart. The Vols lose a lot of familiar faces, names that were called in the NFL Draft, but Team 121 has depth that Butch Jones and his staff have brought into his five-year-old program.

Quarterback

This is the number one position that is being looked at after Joshua Dobbs has moved on to the NFL. Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano are neck-and-neck after spring practices. Sheriron Jones made headlines on May 3 by announcing that he is transferring, allowing for early enrollee freshman Will McBride to move up the depth chart.

1. Quinten Dormady

2. Jarrett Guarantano

3. Will McBride

Running back

It’s John Kelly’s unit to lead in 2017. The junior running back was behind Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara this time last year and now is No. 1 on the depth chart over sophomore Carlin Fils-aime and incoming freshmen Ty Chandler, Tim Jordan and Trey Coleman.

1. John Kelly

2. Carlin Fils-aime

3. Ty Chandler

X-Wide receiver

Josh Malone departed early for the NFL, leaving Jauan Jennings the top target in the receiving core. Tyler Byrd, Marquez Callaway and Brandon Johnson are all emerging sophomores looking at playing bigger roles. Freshmen Jordan Murphy, Josh Palmer and Jacquez Jones will arrive this summer and provide additional depth.

1. Jauan Jennings
2. Brandon Johnson

Z-Wide receiver

1. Marquez Callaway
2. Jeff George

Slot receiver

1. Tyler Byrd
2. Josh Smith

Tight end

Ethan Wolf enters his last year on Rocky Top and he has proven each year that he can be a factor. His brother, Eli, and Jakob Johnson will follow Ethan on the depth chart. Johnson earned most-improved offensive player recognition this spring.

1. Ethan Wolf
2. Eli Wolf
Jakob Johnson

Left tackle

The most important position on the offensive line could be filled with early enrollee freshman Trey Smith. Smith is mature and good enough to play any position on the offensive line and very well could start over the likes of Drew Richmond.

1 Trey Smith
2 Drew Richmond

Left guard

Jashon Robertson is interchangeable on the offensive line at left and right guard, as well as at center. If Jack Jones settles in at right guard and Coleman Thomas remains the top player at center, Robertson will easily fill the left guard role.

1. Jashon Robertson
2. Brett Kendrick

Center

The center position is Coleman Thomas’ to lose. Thomas is a three-year starter and should hold down the starting position once again.

1. Coleman Thomas
2. Jashon Robertson

Right guard

Jack Jones has developed into an efficient right guard for the Vols. The junior started in five games last season and once as a true freshman.

1. Jack Jones
2. Venzell Boulware

Right tackle

Junior Chance Hall can play the right tackle position at a high level when healthy. Hall has started 13 of the 16 games that he has appeared in while at Tennessee.

1. Chance Hall
2. Marcus Tatum

Defense

Defensive end

Jonathan Kongbo has moved back to the outside of the defensive line. After a good spring, the once highly-ranked prospect could lead the unit that Derek Barnett and Corey Vereen left behind.

1. Jonathan Kongbo
2. Darrell Taylor
3. Kyle Phillips
4. Deandre Johnson

Defensive tackle

If Khalil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle can stay healthy for an entire season, they will not only cause havoc in the backfield, but can become the leaders of Bob Shoop’s second-year defense. Quay Picou is also emerging as a vocal leader for the entire team.

1. Khalil McKenzie
2. Shy Tuttle
3. Quay Picou
4. Kendal Vickers

Strong-side linebacker

Junior Darrin Kirkland Jr. has quickly became a leader of the linebacker unit following a 2016 season in which he produced 45 tackles in eight games. Daniel Bituli and Colton Jumper will provide depth behind Kirkland at strong-side linebacker.

1. Darrin Kirkland Jr.
2. Daniel Bituli
3. Colton Jumper

Weak-side linebacker

Senior Cortez McDowell had a good spring and should be able to bring his three-year experience for a productive 2017.

1. Cortez McDowell
2. Quart’e Sapp
3. Elliott Berry

Nickel corner

Red-shirt junior Rashaan Gaulden responded well in 2016 following a season-ending foot injury during training camp in 2015. Gaulden started eight games in 2016 and produced 68 tackles and four pass breakups. Baylen Buchanan will provide production to the defense, too. Buchanan played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2016 and will bring his experience gained to Team 121.

1. Rashaan Gaulden
2. Baylen Buchanan

Cornerback

Shaq Wiggins announced that he is transferring to Tennessee from Louisville as a graduate transfer. Wiggins returns to the SEC after playing at Georgia in 2013 and will add to an already competitive cornerback group.

1. Shaq Wiggins
2. Emmanuel Moseley
3. Justin Martin
4. Marquil Osbourne

Safety

Senior Todd Kelly Jr. will look to end his Tennessee career on a high note, while sophomore Nigel Warrior is only getting better as he grows into a bigger role.

1. Todd Kelly Jr.
2 Nigel Warrior
3. Micah Abernathy
4. Evan Berry