Throughout the offseason, Vols Wire has looked into every position group’s future in 2020 on Tennessee’s offense and defense.
Last but not least, is the special teams unit. Currently the only position group without a coach, it is still expected to serve as a strength for Tennessee in 2020.
Brent Cimaglia will take over placekicking duties for Tennessee for his senior season, and returns as one of the best kickers in the SEC.
A member of the All-SEC second team, Cimaglia converted on 23 of his 27 field goal attempts with a long of 53, and was perfect on all 35 extra point attempts. A possible candidate for the Lou Groza Award, Tennessee will be confident any time it trots out its kicker for a potential game-winning field goal.
At punter, expect rising junior Paxton Brooks to start with no reason to look over his shoulder after the transfer of Joe Doyle in the offseason. Brooks could help on kickoff duties as well, and was a huge part of Tennessee’s comeback win over Indiana in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl with a perfectly executed onside kick.
In 2019, Brooks punted 30 times for an average of 42 yards and a long of 59, while pinning teams inside the 20 11 times. For a school such as Tennessee with great tradition at the punter position, this unit is in good hands.
Who Tennessee deploys to return kicks and punts will be the most interesting facet of this position group in 2020. Outgoing wide receiver Marquez Callaway was a staple for Tennessee as a punt returner, and often gave the Vols a spark in that spot with his sure hands. Rising sophomore running back Eric Gray got some looks as a punt returner in 2019, and could very well take over what might be a wide open competition throughout spring and fall camp. Jeremy Pruitt has made it no secret that he prefers to have his best players put in a position to make an impact on special teams.
At kick returner, senior running back Ty Chandler returns with the most experience, although Tennessee did not bring the ball out much in 2019. Chandler has just one career kick returned for a touchdown (2017).
USC transfer Velus Jones Jr. could be a possibility here with his straight-line speed, but it will likely be another position with an open competition before the 2020 opener against Charlotte.