Tennessee kicker Chase McGrath, top scorer on Vols' highest scoring team ever, returning next season

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel
·1 min read
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Tennessee kicker Chase McGrath will return next season, filling a valuable role as the Vols try to restock key spots on their roster.

A Tennessee football spokesman confirmed McGrath will utilize a COVID exempt year of eligibility as a super senior in the 2022 season.

McGrath, a Southern Cal transfer, was the leading scorer on the highest-scoring team in UT history. He made all 66 PAT kicks, a single-season school record, along with 12 of 16 field goals for 102 points.

He became the ninth UT kicker to score at least 100 points in a season. The Vols scored 511 points, the most in program history.

McGrath has been a model of consistency. Including three seasons at USC, he has made 184 of 185 PAT kicks and 44 of 58 field goals.

McGrath is the latest UT player to announce he’s returning next season despite graduating, already playing four seasons or being a potential NFL Draft prospect. Some of them will take advantage of a COVID exemption to extend to eligibility.

Tennessee placekicker Chase McGrath (40) kicks a field goal during a game against South Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.
Tennessee placekicker Chase McGrath (40) kicks a field goal during a game against South Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker, wide receiver Cedric Tillman, offensive linemen Jerome Carvin and Ollie Lane, linebacker Solon Page, safety Trevon Flowers and tight ends Princeton Fant and Jacob Warren have announced they will return.

Offensive lineman Cade Mays and cornerback Alontae Taylor have declared for the NFL Draft.

Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football kicker Chase McGrath returning next season