2019 Tennessee Volunteers season

2019 Tennessee Volunteers
SEC Champion
Conference	Southeastern Conference East Division
2019 record	13-2 (7-1 SEC)
Head coach	SageBow (3rd year)
Offensive scheme	Option
Base defense	4-3
Captain	Julius Thomas, Anthony Miller, Eli Austin, Nathaniel Jeffries
Home stadium	Neyland Stadium (Capacity: 102,455)
Seasons « 2018 2020 »

2019 SEC football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East
#3 Tennessee x†		7	–	1					13	–	2
#25 Vanderbilt		5	–	2					10	–	3
Missouri		4	–	3					7	–	6
Georgia		4	–	3					8	–	5
South Carolina		3	–	4					4	–	8
Florida		1	–	6					3	–	9
Kentucky		0	–	7					3	–	9
West
#12 LSU x		6	–	2					10	–	3
#5 Alabama		6	–	1					11	–	3
#14 Mississippi State		5	–	2					10	–	3
Arkansas		5	–	2					8	–	5
Auburn		3	–	4					6	–	7
Texas A&M		1	–	6					3	–	9
Ole Miss		0	–	7					2	–	10
SEC Championship Game: Tennessee 30, LSU 27
x – Division champion/co-champions Rankings from Coaches Poll

The Tennessee Volunteers had their seventh year of play during the 2019 CFBHC Season. This was the third season with SageBow at head coach. Expectations were once again very high for the Vols, with the team being ranked #8 in the preseason coaches poll.

The Vols began the season with a scintillating five game winning streak as they knocked off SEC East rivals Georgia and Kentucky on their way to tie their record high ranking, #6 in the nation. Against Auburn and the first start of freshman quarterback Marcus Black, the Vols faultered and were stunned in Jordan-Hare for their first loss of the season. After the defeat, the Vols were triumphant against talented MWC team Air Force and also defeated Missouri and hated rival Florida.

After a critical rivalry week victory against #20 Vanderbilt, the Vols won their second straight Davy Crockett Cup and clinched the SEC East title. In an incredible SEC Championship Game against LSU, the Vols had a come from behind victory led by Julius Thomas to win their first SEC title in program history.

The Vols were slotted in as the 4th seed of the playoffs and triumphed against Baylor in the Quarterfinals to set up a highly anticipated matchup against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. There, the Volunteers were sorely beaten, knocking them out of championship contention. Still, this amounted to the best campaign the Volunteers have ever had, and looked to put them on a bright path going forward.

Star receiver Eli Austin declared early for the 2020 NFLHC Draft, and joined Anthony Miller as first round picks. Michael Williams was taken in the second round, joining the proud Vols for Life playing at the next level.

Schedule

Regular Season

Date	Time	Opponent#	Rank#	Site	Result
7/30/2016	12:00 PM	Memphis*	#8	Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN	W 14–37
8/20/2016	6:00 PM	#21 Arizona*	#7	Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN	W 7–16
8/27/2016	12:00 PM	USF*	#6	Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN	W 3–31
9/3/2016	6:00 PM	#24 Georgia	#6	Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN	W 16–24
10/1/2016	12:00 PM	Kentucky	#6	Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN	W 12–19 2OT
10/15/2016	6:00 PM	at Auburn	#6	Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, AL	L 17–38
10/30/2016	6:00 PM	Air Force*	#15	Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN	W 35–44
11/5/2016	12:00 PM	at North Carolina*	#15	Kenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NC	W 35–10
11/26/2016	6:00 PM	at Missouri	#8	Faurot Field • Columbia, MO	W 17–7
12/3/2016	6:00 PM	Florida	#7	Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN	W 3–23
12/31/2016	12:00 PM	at South Carolina	#5	Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC	W 35-20
1/8/2017	6:00 PM	at #20 Vanderbilt	#5	Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, TN	W 27-7
1/13/2017	6:00 PM	vs. #12 LSU	#3	Georgia Dome • Atlanta, GA (SEC Conference Championship)	W 30-27
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Standard Time.

Post-season

Date	Time	Opponent#	Rank#	Site	Result
1/20/2017	6:00 PM	vs. #6 Baylor	#3	Mercedes-Benz Superdome • New Orleans, LA (Quarterfinals)	W 34-14
1/27/2017	6:00 PM	vs. #2 Penn State	#3	University of Phoenix Stadium • Glendale, AZ (Fiesta Bowl)	L 35-13
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Standard Time.

Personnel

Key Personnel

Name	Position	Season at Tennessee	Season in current role
SageBow	Head Coach	3rd	3rd
Julius Thomas	Quarterback	4th	3rd
Eli Austin	Wide Receiver	4th	3rd
Damian Mason	Offensive Tackle	4th	2nd
Toma Malifa	Center	4th	3rd
Anthony Miller	Defensive End	5th	4th
Nathaniel Jeffries	Outside Linebacker	4th	3rd
Michael Williams	Strong Safety	4th	3rd

Position key

Back	B		Center	C		Cornerback	CB		Defensive back	DB
Defensive end	DE		Defensive lineman	DL		Defensive tackle	DT		End	E
Fullback	FB		Guard	G		Halfback	HB		Kicker	K
Kickoff returner	KR		Offensive tackle	OT		Offensive lineman	OL		Linebacker	LB
Long snapper	LS		Punter	P		Punt returner	PR		Quarterback	QB
Running back	RB		Safety	S		Tight end	TE		Wide receiver	WR

Pre-Season Roster

2018 Tenneessee Volunteeers football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. Name Class QB Thomas, JuliusJulius Thomas  4.5 !Sr QB McLean, IsraelIsrael McLean  3.5 !Jr QB Light, MalikMalik Light 3.0 !So QB Stark, SolomonSolomon Stark  1.5 !Fr QB Goldson, AdrianAdrian Goldson 1.0 !Fr RB Crowe, NikitaNikita Crowe  3.5 !Jr RB Peacock, JulianJulian Peacock  2.5 !So RB Ford, AboubacarAboubacar Ford 1.0 !Fr FB Burnett, SeanSean Burnett 57.0 !Sr FB McCord, AnthonyAnthony McCord 57.0 !Sr FB Maloney, MatthewMatthew Maloney 5.0 !Jr FB Moody, AlanAlan Moody 5.0 !Jr FB Lowery, NoahNoah Lowery 3.0 !So FB Whitney, JesseJesse Whitney  1.5 !Fr WR Browne, TristanTristan Browne 57.0 !Sr WR Richard, EmmanuelEmmanuel Richard 57.0 !Sr WR Austin, EliEli Austin  3.5 !Jr WR Story, ZacharyZachary Story 5.0 !Jr WR Moss, CameronCameron Moss  1.5 !Fr WR Tyler, JaredJared Tyler 1.0 !Fr TE Self, CharlesCharles Self  4.5 !Sr TE Butts, DeSeanDeSean Butts 57.0 !Sr TE Taylor, AnthonyAnthony Taylor 3.0 !So TE Negron, ArturoArturo Negron  1.5 !Fr OT Whitney, FrankFrank Whitney  4.5 !Sr OT Mason, DamianDamian Mason  3.5 !Jr OT Carney, BradyBrady Carney  2.5 !So OT Krause, AnthonyAnthony Krause  1.5 !Fr OT Roland, QuinnQuinn Roland 1.0 !Fr OG Craft, ConnorConnor Craft 57.0 !Sr OG Barnhart, JacksonJackson Barnhart 57.0 !Sr OG Kendrick, DonaldDonald Kendrick  1.5 !Fr OG Phelps, JakeJake Phelps 1.0 !Fr C Donohue, BenBen Donohue 57.0 !Sr C Malifa, TomaToma Malifa  3.5 !Jr C Rowe, EricEric Rowe 5.0 !Jr C Gold, JonahJonah Gold 5.0 !Jr C Mulinu'u, LaretoLareto Mulinu'u  2.5 !So C Reynoso, JohnJohn Reynoso 3.0 !So C York, LeoLeo York  1.5 !Fr	Defense Pos. Name Class DE Miller, AnthonyAnthony Miller  4.5 !Sr DE Jamison, EricEric Jamison  3.5 !Jr DE Stubbs, JermaineJermaine Stubbs 5.0 !Jr DE Cobb, DavidDavid Cobb  2.5 !So DT Santos, HerbertHerbert Santos  4.5 !Sr DT Walter, RicardoRicardo Walter  4.5 !Sr DT Grogan, EdwardEdward Grogan 5.0 !Jr DT Manuel, TerrellTerrell Manuel 5.0 !Jr DT Hirsch, IanIan Hirsch 5.0 !Jr DT Nieves, EmmanuelEmmanuel Nieves  1.5 !Fr ILB Betts, NicolasNicolas Betts  3.5 !Jr ATH Gross, BrianBrian Gross  2.5 !So ILB Coles, MarcusMarcus Coles 1.0 !Fr OLB Strange, DavidDavid Strange 57.0 !Sr OLB Cardenas, ElvisElvis Cardenas 57.0 !Sr OLB Jeffries, NathanielNathaniel Jeffries  3.5 !Jr OLB Singletary, MicahMicah Singletary  3.5 !Jr OLB Dudley, JalenJalen Dudley 5.0 !Jr OLB Durant, SeanSean Durant 5.0 !Jr OLB Stevens, JudeJude Stevens 3.0 !So CB Staples, JahmirJahmir Staples 57.0 !Sr CB Handy, DylanDylan Handy  3.5 !Jr CB Hein, OwenOwen Hein  2.5 !So CB Willis, AnthonyAnthony Willis 3.0 !So CB Williams-Spears, MamadouMamadou Williams-Spears 3.0 !So CB Gray, MilesMiles Gray 5.0 !Jr FS Calloway, EthanEthan Calloway 57.0 !Sr FS Pressley, LamontLamont Pressley 57.0 !Sr FS Conrad, GavinGavin Conrad 3.0 !So SS Williams, MichaelMichael Williams  4.5 !Sr SS Crenshaw, IbrahimaIbrahima Crenshaw  1.5 !Fr SS Holmes, HunterHunter Holmes 1.0 !Fr	Special teams Pos. Name Class K Becker, ZacharyZachary Becker 57.0 !Sr K Major, PatrickPatrick Major  1.5 !Fr P Hoskins, BryanBryan Hoskins 57.0 !Sr P Fay, FrancescoFrancesco Fay 1.0 !Fr	Head coach SageBow Coordinators/assistant coaches None Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt [TBA Roster] Last update: end of 2018 season

Depth chart

Defense [1] FS Ethan Calloway Lamont Pressley WLB MLB SLB Nathaniel Jeffries Brian Gross Micah Singletary Elvis Cardenas Nicholas Betts David Strange SS Michael Williams Ibrahima Crenshaw CB Miles Gray Owen Hein DE DT DT DE Eric Jamison Emmanuel Nieves Ricardo Walter Anthony Miller David Cobb Edward Grogan Herbert Santos Jermaine Stubbs CB Dylan Handy Jahmir Staples Offense [2] WR Eli Austin Emmanuel Richard LT LG C RG RT Damian Mason Connor Craft Toma Malifa Donald Kendrick Anthony Krause Frank Whitney Jackson Barnhart ben Donohue Lareto Mulinu'u Brady Carney TE Charles Self Arturo Negron WR Tristan Browne Cameron Moss QB Julius Thomas Israel McLean FB Sean Burnett Jesse Whitney Special Teams PK Zachary Becker PK Patrick Major P Francesco Fay P Bryan Hoskins KR Michael Williams PR Michael Williams LS Jesse Whitney H Israel McLean RB Nikita Crowe Julian Peacock

Individual Awards

QB Julius Thomas - National Offensive Player of the Week - 9, SEC Offensive Player of the Week - 9, 10
WR Cameron Moss - SEC Special Teams Player of the Week - 3
OT Damian Mason - All-SEC First Team
OG Donald Kendrick - All-SEC First Team
DE Anthony Miller - Outland Trophy, All-SEC First Team
CB Miles Gray - All-SEC First Team, SEC Defensive Player of the Week - 16
SS Michael Williams - SEC Defensive Player of the Week - 15, SEC Special Teams Player of the Week - 12
FS Ethan Calloway - All-SEC Second Team, SEC Defensive Player of the Week - 6
K Zachary Becker - SEC Special Teams Player of the Week - 9

Recruiting

High School

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Eddie Clinton RB	Ripley, TN	Ripley High School	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)	219 lb (99 kg)	Jan 1, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Jeremy Tinsley WR	Clarksville, TN	Kenwood High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	171 lb (78 kg)	Nov 27, 2016
	Skill:   Potential:
Edgar Cuellar OT	Gleason, TN	Gleason High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	276 lb (125 kg)	Nov 5, 2016
	Skill:   Potential:
Harrison Fontaine FS	Maryville, TN	Heritage High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	219 lb (99 kg)	Nov 20, 2016
	Skill:   Potential:
Zac Hudson SS	Nashville, TN	Father Ryan High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	194 lb (88 kg)	Jan 1, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Bart Tuttle DT	Clarksville, TN	Kenwood High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	319 lb (145 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Bryce McLeod OLB	Clarksville, TN	Kenwood High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	242 lb (110 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Ilan Stone RB	Louisville, KY	St. Xavier High School	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	191 lb (87 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Jorge Bravo OG	McMinnville, TN	Warren County High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	259 lb (117 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Shia Yates OG	Johnson City, TN	Science Hill High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	268 lb (122 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Jeremiah Dobbins OG	Ripley, TN	Ripley High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	276 lb (125 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Israel Barrow DE	Durant, MS	Durant High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	253 lb (115 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Samir Mitchell WR	Athens, TN	McMinn County High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	197 lb (89 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Elijah Boyle WR	Hermitage, TN	Donelson Christian Academy	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Preston Bland TE	Monticello, KY	Wayne County High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	229 lb (104 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Tyler Donovan OT	Town Creek, AL	Hatton High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	271 lb (123 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Antonio Joiner DE	Corbin, KY	Lynn Camp High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	256 lb (116 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Carter Berg ILB	Clarksville, TN	Kenwood High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	233 lb (106 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Nosh Morgan WR	Decatur, TN	Meigs County High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	206 lb (93 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Niyol Nieto WR	Memphis, TN	Sheffield High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	197 lb (89 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Marshal Hand OT	Mt. Pleasant, TN	Mt. Pleasant High School	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	293 lb (133 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Emanuelu Isara OT	Watertown, TN	Watertown High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	309 lb (140 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Javier McCrary ILB	Fairview, TN	Fairview High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	230 lb (100 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Frank Weir CB	Athens, TN	McMinn County High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	202 lb (92 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Janoris Slade DT	Athens, TN	McMinn County High School	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	301 lb (137 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Jude Stoddard DT	Maryville, TN	Heritage High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	276 lb (125 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
K.J. Monroe LS	Clarksville, TN	Clarksville High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	232 lb (105 kg)	Jan 7, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Junior College Transfers

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Marcus Holmes WR	Dyersburg, TN	Dyersburg State Community College	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	172 lb (78 kg)	Jan 1, 2017
	Skill:   Potential:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.