Tennessee Football: Way-too-early 2022 depth chart projection

Tennessee football has most starters back in 2022, but lose key pieces to the NFL or graduation. The Vols’ 2022 depth chart projection is here.

Having quarterback Hendon Hooker back in the Tennessee football fold will be a huge help, as well as having two key offensive weapons with him for another year. Jabari Small at tailback and Cedric Tillman at wideout are going to be major offensive stars once again.

Of course, receiver Velus Jones Jr. and guard Cade Mays are off to the NFL. But, there are still explosive players out at receiver, and the offensive line does have four starters coming back.

On defense, the Vols are going to miss Alontae Taylor without a doubt. Taylor was very much one of the team’s cornerstones in the transitory years that were 2020 and 2021, and there’s no replacing him. With All-SEC nickelback Theo Jackson departing too, there’s a lot of loss at defensive back.

The defensive line is going to have to replace a late-round sleeper in Matthew Butler, but LaTrell Bumphus comes in for a super senior year to fill the void.

At linebacker, Jeremy Banks returns after a year where he was in the top 10 nationally in tackles.

Here’s our depth chart prediction for Tennessee football in 2022.