Tennessee Football: Projecting Who Will Win Volunteers' Open Starting Positions

One of the best things about the Tennessee football program having so much talent stockpiled this season is there should be healthy competitions all over the field.

While a lot of players such as quarterback Joshua Dobbs, running backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, cornerback Cameron Sutton, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and defensive end Derek Barnett have some starting spots wrapped up as long as they're healthy, there will be battles.

Head coach Butch Jones is trying to build a program that will have sustained success, and while there could possibly be a temporary dip in production after what is expected to be a stellar 2016 season, who wins the position wars this fall will go a long way in determining if that actually happens.

If some underclassmen step up and do what they were recruited to do, this should be just the beginning of the Volunteers being back in the thick of things in the SEC.

There is a ton of optimism all over the national media regarding the Vols, and it has reached a fever frenzy on Rocky Top.

"This is going to be the most anticipated Tennessee football season probably in at least eight years," AM 1340 The Drive radio personality Russell Smith told WBIR's Kendall Morris. 

The star power and incumbent starters lend to the buzz around the program, but with the newcomers and some talented players who are getting their opportunities to play their way into the mix, that makes the upcoming season exciting, too.

Just how good those players are who win the open position battles will go a long way in determining just how tough the Vols will be. Let's take a look at who should win some of the top position tussles this fall.

Left Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

One of the most important position battles that will be waged this fall will answer the all-important question: Who will protect Dobbs' blind side?

Last year, senior Kyler Kerbyson did an admirable job of that task, making the journey from utility offensive lineman to edge-guarding stalwart and finishing his career in his hometown as a dependable left tackle protecting Tennessee's dual-threat quarterback.

Dobbs can elude pass-rushers with his wheels, but he still needs ample time to make decisions in the pocket. In order to do that, UT is going to have to find Kerbyson's replacement quickly and effectively.

The odds-on favorite to win that job and the one who held it this spring is redshirt freshman Drew Richmond, the Memphis University School product who was coveted by some of the nation's top programs before flipping from Ole Miss to UT on national signing day 2015.

At the time, Richmond was one of Jones' biggest recruiting wins of his tenure, but he didn't immediately crack the rotation.

Being thrust into the starting lineup of a team expected to compete for championships when you've never played college ball is a huge task. That's not lost on ESPN.com's Sam Khan Jr., who labeled Richmond one of the SEC players under the most pressure this season.

Richmond isn't guaranteed the job. While Chance Hall should hold down the right tackle job, redshirt junior Brett Kendrick has starting experience and could battle at both spots. If neither of those guys goes out and dominates this fall, a guard could be shifted out.

UT has a ton of depth and talent on the interior, so could Jashon Robertson, Jack Jones or Venzell Boulware move outside? It isn't out of the question.

It would be a surprise for one of Tennessee's true freshmen (Ryan Johnson, Nathan Niehaus or Marcus Tatum) to be a threat for the job right away, but Richmond will have his competitors. Still, he's talented enough to win out in the end.

Wide Receivers

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Leading receiver Josh Malone missed the spring recovering from a shoulder injury, but you'd think his spot in the starting rotation is relatively secure.

Beyond him, the other players who'll trot out there with the first team are up in the air.

With Von Pearson, Johnathon Johnson and Marquez North gone, the Vols have a lot of reps there for the taking. With passing game coordinator Zach Azzanni having a lot of new faces in Knoxville, it's going to be interesting to see which players get the nod.

The two best bets are redshirt junior Josh Smith in the slot and surging sophomore Preston Williams on the outside.

Yes, Smith has dealt with his share of injuries and inconsistency during his time in Knoxville, but when he's well, he's reliable, and he has an uncanny knack for getting open. Last year, Dobbs didn't get the 6'1", 216-pound pass-catcher the ball enough.

Smith is sneaky fast and a quality all-around receiver who seems perfect for the slot. Other newcomers may take some reps from him, but Smith has a lot of ability, and this could be a breakout season for him.

Speaking of breakouts, few receivers in the SEC were discussed this spring as much as Williams. Producing in March is much different than producing in September, but the way he looked in spring drills should excite everybody around Rocky Top.

Williams was one of the hottest prospects in the Southeast when he chose Tennessee early and stuck with the Vols despite overtures from Auburn, Georgia, Alabama and others. He's beginning to show why everybody wanted him, and he impressed Dobbs this spring, according to GoVols247's Wes Rucker:

"

His just overall consistency and his demeanor are better. He comes out to practice, and he’s looking for ways to get better. He wants the ball thrown his way. It’s definitely great to see that out of a receiver, especially him. As we know, he came in late and missed a lot of camp last season, so this has been a great development time for him, and he’s made the most of it.

"

Maybe this will be the year Azzanni finally trims down his receiver rotation and allows his players to get in a groove and in a rhythm with Dobbs. If that's the case, look for Malone, Williams and Smith to be the guys who get the most snaps.

Defensive Tackles

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Another position that has both starting spots relatively open is at defensive tackle, where a pair of promising sophomores hold the edge to step on the field with the first-teamers as long as they're healthy.

A season ago, Shy Tuttle was beginning to star as a true freshman before a nasty leg injury on a cheap shot against Georgia cost him the remainder of the season. He hasn't stepped on the field in full strength yet, and he may not be ready until later in the summer.

But if the North Carolina native can return and be the same kind of player he was prior to getting banged up, it'll be near impossible to take him out of the starting lineup.

The other sophomore whom Vols fans everywhere are waiting to break out is Kahlil McKenzie, the former 5-star player and the nation's sixth-rated player overall. 

After all that hype, McKenzie struggled somewhat a season ago after having to sit out his senior season due to California transfer rules. He also had to rehab a knee injury during his final high school season and reported to Knoxville late last summer overweight.

The light didn't flicker a whole lot early in the year, but McKenzie began to improve as the year progressed. By the time the Outback Bowl rolled around, he was a space-eating, run-stopping force. This spring, he still showed some growing pains, but a full summer in the weight program will do wonders.

Tennessee doesn't have a ton of options at tackle, but senior Danny O'Brien has proved he has starting ability in the past, and redshirt junior Kendal Vickers is a valuable reserve. Sophomore Quay Picou also could be a nice pass-rushing option, especially on third downs.

It's also possible JUCO transfer Jonathan Kongbo or another bigger defensive end could shift inside some if needed.

But if Tuttle and McKenzie have strong summers and are healthy this fall, they should win the two starting jobs. If they play up to their recruiting rankings, the Vols will be strong up the middle.

Defensive End

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Nobody is questioning Barnett anchoring one side of Tennessee's defensive line. Not only is he arguably one of the two best defensive ends in the SEC along with Texas A&M's Myles Garrett, an argument can be made that he's been better against better competition than the Aggies standout.

Barnett is one of the best-kept secrets in the nation and one of the top players you never hear much about.

The 6'3", 257-pound junior has 20 sacks and 33 tackles for a loss in his first two seasons in orange, and if he continues that pace, it'll be hard seeing him stay all four years in Knoxville. So, Tennessee needs to enjoy him this year.

But who'll play opposite Barnett and take some of the pressure off?

Unlike defensive tackle, there are a ton of talented, potentially elite options for defensive line coach Steve Stripling to choose from on the edge. Former top recruits Kyle Phillips (sophomore) and Darrell Taylor (redshirt freshman) figure to factor into the equation.

Kongbo was one of the biggest coups of the entire recruiting cycle, and the top-ranked JUCO prospect almost certainly will earn a lot of reps right away. Senior LaTroy Lewis makes plays every time he's on the field, and converted linebacker Austin Smith looked good this spring before injuries.

When it comes to consistency, though, it's hard to beat Corey Vereen. He has starting experience, a history of production and he's going to be a senior. That's big for a defense that is going to get after the quarterback. Plus, Vereen's work ethic has never been questioned, which endears him to defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.

"All he does is go out there and make plays," Shoop told Knoxville radio personality Jimmy Hyams of Vereen, who has six career sacks to go along with 18 tackles for a loss.

There may be more talented players out there than the Florida native, but Vereen always has found a way on the field. Expect him to do the same this year, too.

Cornerback

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Toward the end of last year, Tennessee's defensive backfield that had struggled so much early in the season began to come together and play at a high level.

Cameron Sutton began to play like himself again, nickelback Malik Foreman put his early-season struggles behind him, and UT's safety duo of Brian Randolph and LaDarrell McNeil played better and better.

But perhaps the biggest improvement besides Foreman's came from cornerback Justin Martin, who ended his first year in Knoxville as the undisputed No. 2 boundary corner alongside Sutton. His mixture of size, speed and athleticism makes him an almost certain NFL draft pick.

If he can stay focused, Martin has the highest ceiling of any defensive back on Tennessee's roster. But that consistency is something that has evaded him so far. His spring was up and down, and while the 6'1", 183-pound cornerback has all the physical abilities, he's close to being the complete package.

The bet here is that he puts it all together in '16.

Martin hasn't done enough yet to secure the starting nod in his coach's mind. Jones said at a Big Orange Caravan stop in Franklin recently, according to Rucker: "You can never have enough depth, as we all know, across the board, and we have to have some individuals step up. We need to find who our No. 2 corner's gonna be. That individual has not emerged yet. So this summer’s gonna be big for us, getting the back end of our defense solidified."

Players such as Emmanuel Moseley, JUCO transfer D.J. Henderson, Darrell Miller and even potentially backup nickel Marquill Osborne could all battle Martin for that job. But if talent is any indication, he'll win the job.

Martin has the ability to be an elite defensive back. It's time for him to show it this year.

Safety

Credit: 247Sports

The most loaded spot on Tennessee's entire team just so happens to be the position where the Vols are replacing two departed starters.

That's safety, of course, and while losing field general Randolph and enforcer McNeil will be difficult, UT secondary coach Willie Martinez and renowned defensive back developer Shoop have the players to do it.

Leading the way is junior Todd Kelly Jr., who was essentially a third starter in each of his first two seasons in Knoxville. The 5'11", 208-pound hard hitter has five starts in his first two seasons at UT, and the legacy is expected to slot right in and be one of the starters this year.

Who joins him may wind up being the most heated battle of the entire fall.

The Vols have special teams dynamo Evan Berry coming back after injuries forced him to miss the spring, and the speedy defensive back has the chance to follow in brother Eric's footsteps and start. Sophomore Micah Abernathy started some this spring, and he could be a factor, too.

Stephen Griffin has been impressive at times on the back end, and incoming star freshman Nigel Warrior may wind up being one of the most talented players on UT's entire team. A player like him commands playing time, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him firmly in the mix.

But the nod here goes to redshirt sophomore Rashaan Gaulden. Ever since the Vols recruited him three years ago, there's been a lot of anticipation to get him on the field. He was a special teams force as a freshman and was poised to start at nickelback a season ago before a broken bone in his foot cost him the season.

Now, he's back to his high school position of safety, where he seized the starting role this spring. Don't expect him to give it up anytime soon, either.

An anonymous former player told Rucker of Gaulden: "They’re not gonna be able to keep him off the field."

He has incredible instincts, elite tackling ability and is also good enough in coverage to not be a liability. He's a little thin for safety, which has led to some injuries, but if he can stay healthy, Gaulden has a bright future in Knoxville.

It's one that'll start this year.

All quotes and information gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. All recruiting information gathered from 247Sports unless otherwise noted. All stats gathered at CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted.

Brad Shepard covers SEC football and is the Tennessee lead writer for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.