Why it matters if these 27 Tennessee football seniors return in 2024 for Josh Heupel

Tennessee football has 27 seniors who could finish their careers or return for the 2024 season because of a COVID-exempt year.

Most are scholarship players. A few are notable walk-ons.

Their decisions will determine which positions UT pursues in the transfer portal, which teammates consider entering the portal and how the lineup shapes up next season.

Here are those players and how their decisions could impact the Vols.

Offense

Wide receiver Bru McCoy

McCoy was UT’s No. 1 wide receiver when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Sept. 30. He could enter the NFL Draft and hope the injury doesn’t downgrade his stock, or he could return for the 2024 season.

Why his decision matters: If McCoy returns, UT doesn’t necessarily have to add a wide receiver in the portal. But if McCoy doesn’t return, wideout is a bigger priority in the portal.

Center Cooper Mays

Mays is among UT’s most valuable players, especially in operating the up-tempo offense. He could enter the draft or return in 2024. Mays did not participate in senior day festivities, suggesting he might come back.

Why his decision matters: Perhaps no player could help five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava more than Mays. If he leaves, an inexperienced center or a transfer must fill his spot. UT didn’t have a viable replacement for Mays when he was out with an injury this season.

Offensive tackle John Campbell

Campbell, a Miami transfer, was a good addition in the portal a year ago. He wanted to prove that he was an NFL-caliber left tackle by playing well in the SEC. Was this season enough, or would another help his stock?

Why his decision matters: Every team is looking for an offensive tackle in the portal, including UT. But really good ones are hard to get. If Campbell returns, the Vols can be more prudent. If he doesn’t return, tackle might be UT’s top priority. It must protect Iamaleava.

Offensive guard Javontez Spraggins

Spraggins entered the 2023 season with NFL Draft buzz, but it faded a bit. And then he suffered a season-ending injury against Georgia. He could go pro now or try to regain that buzz next season.

Why his decision matters: Spraggins has started 37 games in the SEC for one of the nation’s top rushing teams. Like Mays, he’s almost irreplaceable by a transfer or young lineman without UT enduring growing pains.

Offensive tackle Dayne Davis

Davis is a veteran backup who can start in a pinch. He’s played 37 games, mostly at tackle. But he even filled in at center.

Why his decision matters: UT needs young tackles to step forward. But Davis is a nice insurance policy as a backup if they don’t develop as quickly as needed. He can also help bring them along.

Offensive guard Jackson Lampley

Lampley also has played 37 games, mostly as a backup guard and on the PAT/field goal team.

Why his decision matters: Similar to Davis, Lampley is an insurance policy at guard as UT searches for potential starters in the portal and among its young linemen.

Running back Jabari Small

Small is a steady veteran who’s rushed for 2,122 yards and scored 26 TDs in his career. He shared carries with Jaylen Wright and Dylan Sampson this season.

Why his decision matters: Small was No. 2 or No. 3 in the rotation this season, depending on the game. Next season, Sampson should be the No. 1, and Cam Seldon will push for the No. 2 spot after showing potential as a freshman. If Small returns, it might remain a backfield trio. If he doesn’t, it might be a Sampson-led duo.

Quarterback Gaston Moore

Moore is listed as redshirt junior, but he participated in senior day. He’s a capable reserve quarterback who’s played in seven games over three seasons and has a good grasp of UT’s offense. Moore is a walk-on, so he doesn’t factor into the scholarship count.

Why his decision matters: Iamaleava should start in 2024, and four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger will enroll in January. There are no other scholarship quarterbacks on the 2024 roster. At best, Moore is a capable backup who can finish a game if the starter is injured. At worst, he’s an insurance policy in case Merklinger isn’t ready for the No. 2 job. If Moore leaves, it increases the likelihood that UT would add a quarterback in the portal.

Tight end Hunter Salmon

Salmon has played 25 games as a reserve tight end, mostly as an in-line blocker.

Why his decision matters: Salmon is a walk-on, so he doesn’t factor into UT’s scholarship count. Tight end is a priority in the portal, and this decision doesn’t affect that. But Salmon is a quality depth player at the position.

Center Parker Ball

Ball has played 38 games as a reserve center and on special teams.

Why his decision matters: Ball is a walk-on, so he doesn’t factor into the scholarship count. He’s got a lot of practice reps at center. So he could help young centers get ready to play.

Wide receiver Jack Jancek

Jancek is listed as a redshirt junior, but he participated in senior day. He has played 14 games in his career.

Why his decision matters: Jancek is a walk-on, so he doesn’t factor into the scholarship count. He knows the offense and can tutor young wide receivers in the offense.

Offensive lineman Braden Krivosh

Krivosh, a walk-on, has played five games over three seasons. His spot doesn’t impact UT’s scholarship count. He is listed as a redshirt junior, but he participated in senior day.

Why his decision matters: Krivosh is on the scout team. If he returns, that will continue. If he doesn’t, another walk-on will fill his spot.

VOLS MAILBAG Which Tennessee players will return, opt out, enter transfer portal?

Defense

Defensive end Tyler Baron

Baron had the type of strong season that he needed to boost his NFL Draft stock. He had six sacks and 10.5 tackles-for-loss and drew double-teams from good SEC offensive lines.

Why his decision matters: If Baron returns, it would solidify UT as one of the best pass-rushing defenses in college football in 2024. But it feels like he’s bound for the NFL.

Defensive tackle Omari Thomas

Thomas has a tough decision. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder would be an NFL prospect, but his stock is debatable. Another season may improve that. It may not.

Why his decision matters: Thomas draws double-teams, which frees up edge rushers. And he clogs running lanes for the SEC’s No. 2 rushing defense. If he returns, that continues. If he doesn’t, defensive tackle could be a higher priority in the portal. UT has young talent at his position, but Thomas has proven his impact.

Defensive tackle Elijah Simmons

Simmons, a 6-2, 340-pounder, is a force in small spurts, especially against the run. When healthy and at a manageable weight, he’s a handful for any SEC offensive line.

Why his decision matters: Simmons is a key piece in a strong rotation on the defensive line. Like Thomas, his decision will help determine whether defensive line is a strength or a question mark.

Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott

Norman-Lott, an Arizona State transfer, was a good addition from the portal a year ago. He’s listed as a junior on UT’s roster, but this is his fourth year in college. He participated in senior day. Norman-Lott has explosive pass-rushing skills that NFL teams covet. Did he do enough against SEC competition to prove himself?

Why his decision matters: Like Thomas and Simmons, he’s a key cog in a strong defensive line rotation. So the impact of his decision is similar. If he returns, Norman-Lott could become an every-down force in a second year under defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who’s produced dozens of NFL players.

Linebacker Keenan Pili

Pili, a BYU transfer, was supposed to be a starter at middle linebacker, team leader and hopeful NFL prospect. But he suffered an injury in the season opener and hasn’t played since. He can return in 2024 if the NCAA grants him a medical redshirt.

Why his decision matters: If Pili returns, he fills an obvious need at middle linebacker. And that means UT doesn’t have to prioritize linebacker as much in the portal. If Pili doesn’t return, there are questions at middle linebacker, where UT was very young with sophomore Elijah Herring and freshman Jeremiah Telander playing there this season.

Cornerback Doneiko Slaughter

Slaughter is a two-year starter with versatility that UT values. He’s played cornerback, nickelback and safety. Notably, Slaughter did not participate in senior day.

Why his decision matters: There could be a lot of moving parts in the secondary, so Slaughter can fill the softest spot in the unit. If Slaughter returns, he could continue starting at cornerback. But he might fit better at safety or nickelback. If he doesn’t return, a young player will take his snaps.

Cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally

Jeudy-Lally, a BYU transfer, was a starter in his lone season. Coaches valued his leadership and experience, and he filled a hole after Kamal Hadden suffered a season-ending injury.

Why his decision matters: If Jeudy-Lally returns, he likely would stay in the cornerback rotation. If he doesn’t, his snaps would go to a young inexperienced cornerback. But maybe it’s time for such a transition. Freshman cornerbacks Rickey Gibson, Jordan Matthews and Cristian Conyer were praised by coaches when they signed, but they barely played in 2023.

Cornerback Warren Burrell

Burrell has played 41 games with 20 starts in his career. He was in and out of the cornerback rotation this season.

Why his decision matters: If Burrell returns, he’ll compete for a spot in the rotation because of his experience. But UT’s pass defense has struggled for years. So it might be time to pass the torch to the young cornerbacks. Unless some defensive backs move on, the secondary could be overcrowded.

Defensive back Tamarion McDonald

McDonald is a two-year starter at Star position, UT’s version of nickelback. He was UT’s second-highest graded defensive back, behind Hadden, by Pro Football Focus. McDonald did not participate in senior day.

Why his decision matters: Not every defensive back can play Star. If McDonald returns, he fills that role for another season, or he could move to safety. If McDonald doesn’t return, Jourdan Thomas would be the frontrunner for that spot.

Defensive back Brandon Turnage

Turnage, a 2021 Alabama transfer, has played 34 games with six starts in his career. He was in and out of the cornerback rotation this season. And he can also play Star position.

Why his decision matters: Coaches like Turnage’s versatility. But after two seasons at Alabama and three seasons at UT, it’s evident that he can fill a position but not thrive in it. If he returns, he’ll provide depth at multiple spots. If he doesn’t, young defensive backs will get their chance, for better or worse.

Safety Wesley Walker

Walker, a Georgia Tech transfer in 2022, started at safety this season.

Why his decision matters: Walker gives a sense of security to defensive coordinator Tim Banks, who values experience at safety. That’s especially the case with the departure of long-time starter Jaylen McCollough, who’s out of eligibility. If Walker returns, he likely starts at safety. If he doesn’t, Thomas, Andre Turrentine and others will vie for the spot. UT needs open scholarships in the secondary before pursing defensive backs in the portal.

Linebacker Kwauze Garland

Garland played 18 games over four seasons, but he sat out the 2023 season with an injury.

Why his decision matters: It’s unclear if Garland is healthy enough to play again. If he returns, he’ll mostly serve on special teams. If he doesn’t return, he’ll open up a scholarship.

Defensive tackle Isaac Green

Green, a walk-on, has played six games over five seasons. His spot doesn’t impact UT’s scholarship count.

Why his decision matters: Green has spent five years on the scout team. If he returns, that will continue. If he doesn’t, another walk-on will fill his spot.

Linebacker Will Albright

Albright, a walk-on, has played six games over four seasons. His spot doesn’t impact UT’s scholarship count.

Why his decision matters: Albright is on the scout team. If he returns, that will continue. If he doesn’t, another walk-on will fill his spot.

Special teams

Long snapper Matthew Salansky

Salansky has played 48 career games as UT’s long snapper. He’s a walk-on, so he doesn’t factor into the scholarship count. He did not participate in senior day.

Why his decision matters: Long snapper is overlooked until you need one. If Salansky returns, he fills that essential role for one more season. If he doesn’t, Bennett Brady, who played three games this season, is next in line.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football: Why it matters if these 27 seniors return in 2024