Position Previews: Defensive Backs
Credit: Kate Luffman/University of Tennessee Athletics
By Tucker Harlin
No position group has endured the scrutiny the defensive backs have in Josh Heupel’s tenure.
On the surface level, the amount of personnel losses this group has to fill going into 2024 makes it appear as a weak spot on the team. And it very well could be.
But let’s be honest with ourselves.
What Tennessee fan is begging for Jaylen McCollough to come back for more? Are they begging for Tamarion McDonald or Wesley Walker?
I’m not suggesting losing those pieces was addition by subtraction. But maybe starting fresh isn’t the worst thing in the world for the Vol defensive backs
Manning the nickel spot this season will be junior Jourdan Thomas. Thomas was mainly used for depth last season as he was behind Tamarion McDonald, so his responsibility will increase greatly.
Starting at corner will be sophomores Rickey Gibson III and Jermod McCoy.
Gibson saw an increase in playing time midway through the season when Kamal Hadden went down for the season, albeit in a limited role.
McCoy transfers in from Oregon State, where he was originally recruited as a wide receiver. McCoy was an honorable mention for the PAC 12’s last ever Defensive Freshman of the Year honor.
The safeties will be Jakobe Thomas and Andre Turrentine.
Thomas transferred in from Middle Tennessee and was the second leading tackler for the Blue Raiders in 2023. Turrentine has waited his turn after transferring in from Ohio State in 2022, and he had an important interception at the beginning of the Citrus Bowl against Iowa.
Others hoping to get involved this season are Jalen McMurray, Jordan Matthews, Christian Charles, and Boo Carter.
McMurray transferred in from Temple. His demeanor is incredibly veteran, similar to that of Gabe Jeudy-Lally’s from last season.
Charles is also a veteran, but his playing time has been reduced greatly by injury.
Carter and Matthews are both younger players hoping to get involved. If Carter isn’t getting to play on defense, he’s still probably going to be involved in the third phase of the game.
It’s easy to look at this unit as a weakness with all of the new pieces involved in 2024, but new might be exactly what it needs.
