The Vols finally have the depth to handle it after losing expected starter Jourdan Thomas to a season-ending injury last week.
Last week, defensive back Jourdan Thomas suffered a season-ending knee injury that dealt a blow to the Tennessee Volunteers’ secondary. This injury would be a catastrophic blow to a small group that wasn’t particularly talented in the previous couple of years. This year is not like the others.
In Tim Banks’ defense, Thomas would have started at the nickel corner, or the star position. This was Tamarion McDonald’s position the previous year; however, he was replaced by walk-on Will Brooks after suffering an injury late in the campaign. It is evident to everyone who watched the Georgia game that Will Brooks is not an SEC starter who can be counted on to be an adequate athlete.
Either redshirt sophomore Christian Harrison or true freshman Boo Carter, who both earned good marks during training camp, will take Thomas’ spot this season. With all the added depth in the secondary, this is a nice change, but thankfully for the Vols, the squad as a whole is improving. This season will undoubtedly see injuries, but the Vols will be more prepared than ever to handle them.
The Vols have depth to their advantage.
The Vols’ performance during the previous season was significantly impacted by injuries to important players. It seemed like the whole secondary was playing second- and third-string players by the Citrus Bowl. Cooper Mays missed the first month of the season, Bru McCoy was lost for the season against South Carolina, Keenan Pili was lost for the season in the first game against Virginia.
Without Mays, the offensive line never felt quite right. Last season, Bru was the lone receiver for the Vols who really made a difference. After Pili went down, the Vols’ linebacking corps was virtually entirely made up of freshmen. Will Brooks began the season out of position in the secondary, as was previously mentioned. These are not conditions for victory.
In certain position groupings, the squad as a whole has improved to the second or even third rank this season. There are 10–12 players on the defensive line, which is what you would expect to start on an SEC defensive line; there are 6-7 players in the receiver room who will compete for playing time; there are three trustworthy tight end players; the linebacking group has a ton of experience thanks to Pili’s return and the fact that all the young guys received a ton of valuable reps last season; and the secondary has been strengthened despite losing every member from the previous squad through high school recruiting and the transfer portal.
There are still some depth concerns in the running back, quarterback, and offensive line rooms, but in all three cases, there is still some hope in the younger, less experienced players. Every team has some questions since, in the age of transfer portals, it’s hard to be deep everywhere.
While certain players will be more injured than others in Tennessee this season, the Vols are better equipped than in any other year under head coach Greg Heupel to deal with ailments. Football is ultimately about the next guy up, and the Vols have more men on deck and are ready.
Leave a Reply