Breaking down Tennessee’s defensive depth chart versus Ball State
Tennessee will kick off its 2022 season Thursday against Ball State at Neyland Stadium under second-year head coach Josh Heupel.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.
Tennessee went 7-6 (4-4 SEC) in 2021 under Heupel.
Tennessee reached the postseason for the first time since 2019, losing 48-45 in overtime against Purdue in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.
Tennessee’s 2022 regular season schedule also features home games against Akron, Florida, Alabama, UT Martin, Kentucky and Missouri.
The Vols have road contests at Pittsburgh in the second edition of the Johnny Majors Classic, LSU, Georgia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
Tennessee released its depth chart Monday for the Ball State game. Below is a breakdown of the Vols’ Week 1 defensive projected starters.
LEO: Byron Young
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Defensive tackle: Kurott Garland or Bryson Eason
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Defensive tackle: Omari Thomas
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Defensive end: Tyler Baron
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
MLB: Juwan Mitchell or Aaron Beasley
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
WLB: Jeremy Banks
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Cornerback: Warren Burrell
Syndication: Journal-Courier
CB: Christian Charles or Kamal Hadden
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
STAR: Tamarion McDonald
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Safety: Jaylen McCollough
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Safety: Trevon Flowers
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
