After a brief two-day delay, the Tennessee Volunteers will kick off the on-field part of the Josh Heupel era today in Knoxville. Spring practice begins this afternoon, meaning that new offense can finally begin being installed and the roster can start being shaped.
With the beginning of the spring comes a brand new roster, complete with new additions from the 2021 class that enrolled early. It also is the first look at the roster without key contributors from last season’s team who opted to transfer.
A couple of those lingering questions that remain in the transfer portal were not included on the roster released today. To be clear, this doesn’t close the door on their return, but it’s obviously not a great development.
Not Included on roster: LB Henry To’o To’o, LB Quavaris Crouch, WR Deangelo Gibbs, DB Shawn Shamburger
To’o To’o has been heavily linked to Alabama, but has remained enrolled in online classes at Tennessee, fueling speculation that he could return. That doesn’t appear to be the case today. The Quavaris Crouch situation has been more of an unknown, and the new staff has mentioned having brief conversations with each player.
Shamburger has entered and exited the transfer portal after a bumpy 2020, and now lands off of the spring roster. Gibbs is a bit of a forgotten man after opting out last season. He made the move from defensive back to receiver upon arrival in Knoxville, but now it appears that he will not be a part of the program’s future.
Expect comments on these situations from Heupel today after practice.
Newcomer Numbers
DB Christian Charles: No. 14
TE Miles Campbell: No. 86
WR Andison Coby: No. 82
RB Tiyon Evans: No. 8
QB Hendon Hooker: No. 5 (listed as a senior)
WR Walker Merrill: No. 19
K Chase McGrath: No. 42
OL William Parker: No. 65
QB Kaidon Salter: No. 7
DL Isaac Washington: No. 95
LB Aaron Willis: No. 41
RB Jaylen Wright: No. 23
OLB Byron Young: No. 13
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