Vols Secondary Loses Jourdan Thomas for Season

Credit: 247 Sports

By Tucker Harlin

The Vols were dealt a loss to an already uncertain secondary as nickel Jourdan Thomas suffered a season ending knee injury over the weekend.

The plan for Thomas in 2024 was to replace two-year starter Tamarion McDonald, who transferred to Louisville in the offseason.

This is not Thomas’ first run in with injury in Knoxville. Thomas missed a significant portion of fall camp in 2023 with injuries. He was able to play most of the season but it ended with an injury in the loss to Georgia.

So who replaces Thomas at the nickel spot?

Freshman Boo Carter is first in line.

Carter was an important instate commitment from Cleveland, sought after both as a defender and return man. He’ll be useful on special teams with Dee Williams’ departure, and now he has a chance to spread his influence to the defensive end.

Should something happen to Carter, you would then have to move guys over from other positions in the secondary. Those would likely be Christian Charles and Christian Harrison.

Charles has played a little bit of nickel, but his injury history might be worse than Thomas. Harrison, son of NFL Hall of Famer Rodney Harrison, hasn’t seen the field regularly in his two seasons with the program.