18. Tennessee
Returning Starters: Offense-8, Defense-6Key Incoming Transfers: WR Bru McCoy, OL Gerald Mincey, CB Andre Turrentine, DB Wesley Walker
Josh Heupel brought significant improvement and a high-powered offense to Rocky Top last fall. The Volunteers finished second in the SEC in scoring offense (39.3 points a game - up from 21.5 the previous year) and averaged 6.5 yards a snap (up from 5.3). Also, Tennessee led the SEC in plays of 40-plus yards (23) after connecting on just three in '20. Quarterback Hendon Hooker (31 TDs to 3 INTs) is back to direct the offense, with Cedric Tillman (64 catches for 1,081 yards) the main target. Velus Jones Jr. and JaVonta Payton have departed the receiving corps, so it's up to Jalin Hyatt and McCoy (USC transfer) to pick up the slack on the outside. Leading rusher Jabari Small (792 yards) returns, as do four starters - including left tackle Darnell Wright - along the offensive line. Although scoring points isn't a problem, Tennessee still has work to do on defense. Last year, the Volunteers surrendered 33.6 points a contest and 5.7 yards per play in SEC games. This group also struggled versus the run in conference action (200.8 yards per game allowed) and ranked near the bottom of the league in third-down and red-zone defense. Linemen Tyler Baron and Byron Young and linebacker Jeremy Banks are back as top contributors, but defensive backs Theo Jackson and Alontae Taylor will be missed.
Key Games: at Pitt, Florida, at LSU, Alabama, Kentucky, at Georgia, at South Carolina
