Tennessee Football: Way-too-early 2022 depth chart projection
By Kathryn Rose
Secondary
CBs: Warren Burrell (senior), Desmond Williams (redshirt junior)
Rotation Corners: Doneiko Slaughter (junior), Kamal Hadden (redshirt junior), Christian Harrison (freshman)
Star: Brandon Turnage (redshirt junior)
SS: Jaylen McCollough (senior)
FS: Trevon Flowers (super senior)
Rotation Safeties: Christian Charles (sophomore), Tamarion McDonald (junior), Jourdan Thomas (freshman)
With both Alontae Taylor and Theo Jackson gone from the Tennessee football secondary, some new faces are bound to emerge.
Warren Burrell has one corner spot in hand, but the other spot is totally open. Desmond Williams is a junior college transfer, but his tape shows outstanding potential. Projecting down the line, he’s talented enough to start. Kamal Hadden and Brandon Turnage are also potential opening game starters, too.
Doneiko Slaughter was listed as backup at the star position last year and played more than Turnage. But, Turnage was SEC defensive player of the week in his only start at the position. This is another open spot on the roster after Theo Jackson’s departure.
The back end of the defense is sound, with both Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough back for another go-round.
Freshmen could be rotation players in the secondary, should injury or suspensions allow for it. There still isn’t a ton of depth back here, especially with no portal commits so far.