Tennessee Football: Way-too-early 2022 depth chart projection
By Kathryn Rose
Receivers and Tight Ends
X (outside): Cedric Tillman (redshirt senior)
Y (slot): Jalin Hyatt (junior)
Z (outside): Ramel Keyton (senior)
Situational receivers: Jimmy Calloway (junior), Walker Merrill (redshirt freshman), Kaleb Webb (freshman)
Backups/redshirt receivers: Chas Nimrod (freshman), Squirrel White (freshman), Cameron Miller (freshman)
TE: Princeton Fant (super senior) OR Jacob Warren (redshirt senior)
Backup TEs: Miles Campbell (redshirt freshman), Charlie Browder (redshirt freshman), Julian Nixon (redshirt freshman)
Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt have two of the three starting roles locked up. There’s some question about whether Hyatt will play in the slot or at the Z receiver position, but his speed makes him a valuable slot receiver.
Ramel Keyton and Jimmy Calloway will battle for that last starting receiver spot. Keyton has been a bit player during his time at Tennessee. But, as a senior with a 6-3 frame, he should have the edge over Calloway. Yet, Calloway shouldn’t be slept on, since he’s the more athletic receiver.
The Vols don’t really have a TE1. Both Fant and Warren had 18 catches last year, and both are equally as effective at blocking and pass-catching. They’re co-starters, and won’t be giving up many snaps to anyone else.
The depth at receiver gets interesting for the Vols. Walker Merrill is a quick little guy from Nashville but didn’t see much playing time last year. Cameron Miller will come in as a true freshman, and his 6-2, 180-pound frame gives him a good chance of playing cameo roles in the offense.