Tennessee Football Roster 2018: Meet the Vols' Squad

The Tennessee Volunteers football team, representing the University of Tennessee, took the field in the 2018 season with a roster filled with talent and promise. This article delves into the key components of the 2018 Tennessee football roster, providing an in-depth look at the players who donned the orange and white that year.

Tennessee Vols Football 2018 Schedule released - Clarksville Online - Clarksville News, Sports, Events and Information
Tennessee Vols Football 2018 Schedule released - Clarksville Online - Clarksville News, Sports, Events and Information

Before we dive into the specifics, let's set the stage. The 2018 season was a transitional one for the Volunteers, with new head coach Jeremy Pruitt at the helm. Pruitt brought a fresh perspective and a new coaching staff, aiming to rebuild the program and return it to its former glory. The roster reflected this change, with a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent.

a football player holding a ball on top of an orange poster with the words tennessee state
a football player holding a ball on top of an orange poster with the words tennessee state

Offensive Powerhouses

The Tennessee offense in 2018 was led by a trio of dynamic playmakers at the skill positions. At quarterback, Jarrett Guarantano and Keller Chryst battled for the starting role, bringing a mix of experience and athleticism to the position.

an orange and gray poster with the numbers on it's sidelines, including football players
an orange and gray poster with the numbers on it's sidelines, including football players

In the backfield, the Volunteers boasted a deep stable of running backs. John Kelly, a senior, was the bell cow, providing a powerful and elusive presence between the tackles. Behind him, a talented group of young backs, including Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan, offered explosive playmaking ability and depth.

Receiver Corps

Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) on X
Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) on X

The Tennessee receiving corps in 2018 was highlighted by the sure-handed and versatile Jauan Jennings. Jennings, a senior, led the team in receptions and yards, providing a reliable target for the Volunteers' quarterbacks. He was joined by a talented group of young receivers, including Josh Palmer and Marquez Callaway, who offered big-play ability and promise for the future.

Tight end was another position of strength for the Volunteers in 2018. Eli Wolf and Austin Pope provided a reliable and athletic duo at the position, offering valuable targets in the passing game and solid blocking in the run game.

Offensive Line

the tennessee volunteers college football schedule
the tennessee volunteers college football schedule

The Tennessee offensive line in 2018 was a veteran group, led by seniors Trey Smith and Drew Richmond. This experienced duo provided stability and leadership up front, paving the way for the Volunteers' ground game and protecting the quarterbacks.

Despite the experience, the offensive line struggled at times in 2018, particularly in pass protection. However, the unit showed promise and improved as the season progressed, providing a solid foundation for the offense moving forward.

Defensive Standouts

an image of a football player on the cover of sports illustrated magazine's top 100
an image of a football player on the cover of sports illustrated magazine's top 100

The Tennessee defense in 2018 was a young and talented group, led by a dynamic front seven. The Volunteers' defensive line was anchored by senior defensive end Kyle Phillips, who provided a consistent pass-rushing presence and leadership to the unit.

Behind Phillips, a talented group of young defensive linemen, including Shy Tuttle and Greg Emerson, offered promise and depth. The linebacker corps was led by the versatile and athletic Daniel Bituli, who was joined by a talented group of young linebackers, including Will Ignont and Solon Page III.

Chris brazzell Tennessee football
Chris brazzell Tennessee football
the tennessee volunteers football schedule is shown
the tennessee volunteers football schedule is shown
an orange and gray sports brochure with images of football players on the sidelines
an orange and gray sports brochure with images of football players on the sidelines
Tennessee Baseball 2018
Tennessee Baseball 2018
the back of a football player wearing an orange and white uniform with his hands on his head
the back of a football player wearing an orange and white uniform with his hands on his head
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers
the football players are celebrating on the field
the football players are celebrating on the field
the football player is holding a ball in his right hand and wearing a helmet with an i on it
the football player is holding a ball in his right hand and wearing a helmet with an i on it
a football player in an orange and white uniform holding a football on a black background
a football player in an orange and white uniform holding a football on a black background
a man in an orange uniform holding a football on a field with people watching from the bleachers
a man in an orange uniform holding a football on a field with people watching from the bleachers
an orange and black painting of a football player with the number one on his jersey
an orange and black painting of a football player with the number one on his jersey
a drawing of a football team with the name draft on it
a drawing of a football team with the name draft on it
the middle school football team is shown in this poster
the middle school football team is shown in this poster
a football player is holding a ball in his hands and wearing an orange and black uniform
a football player is holding a ball in his hands and wearing an orange and black uniform
a man pointing at the camera while wearing a jersey with skulls on it and an orange skull behind him
a man pointing at the camera while wearing a jersey with skulls on it and an orange skull behind him
the back of a football jersey that reads, fear our future with an orange and white background
the back of a football jersey that reads, fear our future with an orange and white background
an image of a man in a basketball uniform
an image of a man in a basketball uniform
Tennessee Vols Graphics/Schedule Posters/ Wallpapers - Chad Fields
Tennessee Vols Graphics/Schedule Posters/ Wallpapers - Chad Fields
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers
an orange and black football uniform with the words tennessee on it's chest is shown
an orange and black football uniform with the words tennessee on it's chest is shown

Secondary Stars

The Tennessee secondary in 2018 was highlighted by the talented and experienced cornerback duo of Emmanuel Moseley and Micah Abernathy. This duo provided lockdown coverage and leadership to the Volunteers' secondary, helping to limit opposing offenses' passing attacks.

Behind Moseley and Abernathy, a talented group of young defensive backs, including Alontae Taylor and Bryce Thompson, offered promise and depth. Safety was another position of strength for the Volunteers, with senior Todd Kelly Jr. and sophomore Nigel Warrior providing a reliable and athletic duo at the position.

Special Teams Ace

One of the bright spots for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2018 was the play of punter Trevor Daniel. A senior, Daniel was a consistent and reliable presence for the Volunteers, ranking among the nation's leaders in punting average and providing valuable field position for the defense.

Daniel's strong leg and accurate punting were crucial for the Volunteers, helping to flip the field and pin opposing offenses deep in their own territory. His consistent play was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for the Volunteers.

The 2018 Tennessee football roster was a blend of experience and youth, talent and promise. While the Volunteers struggled on the field that year, the roster laid the foundation for future success. With many of the key contributors set to return in 2019 and beyond, the future looks bright for the Tennessee Volunteers football program.