*some information courtesy of knoxnews.com
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s football time in tennessee! The Tennessee Volunteers kick off Week 1 against Ball State to begin their 2022 campaign under the now sophomore season for Josh Heupel. The orange and white look to build off what was an impressive start to the Heupel era. A 7-5 record might not look like much but when you have the best scoring offense in your school’s history; it has to feel like a very burdensome weight was lifted of Tennessee’s shoulders.
UT touts eight players on the preseason All-SEC team, led by quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Cedric Tillman as well as running back Jabari Small on the offensive side of the ball. Other key players return from last season’s record-breaking offense as well. Linebacker Jeremy Banks, edge rusher Byron Young and safety Trevon Flowers are back to pace the defense. It likely must improve for the Vols to get off to a good start in September.
Key departures include: (NFL)- Alontae Taylor, Velus Jones Jr, Matthew Butler, Cade Mays, Theo Jackson, and undrafted free-agent Javonta Parker.
Last season, UT went 7-6 overall and 4-4 in the SEC, losing to Purdue in the Music City Bowl. Ball State went 6-7 and 4-4 in the Mid-American, losing to Georgia State in the Camellia Bowl.
