Where do Tennessee football position battles stand? Josh Heupel updates tight races after scrimmage

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel indicated most of his depth chart could be settled at the end of this week.

On Sunday, the Vols held their second intrasquad scrimmage of preseason practice, which was closed to media.

The team will practice on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in what Heupel said is an "important block” in deciding numerous position battles.

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Tennessee's opener against Ball State is Sept. 1, so game preparations will begin next week. Here are Heupel's updates on key position competitions.

Bru McCoy and wide receivers

The starters at wide receiver probably hinge on the eligibility of Southern Cal transfer Bru McCoy, who played well in the scrimmage. Heupel said McCoy has not been ruled eligible yet.

McCoy transferred multiple times in 2019, from USC to Texas and back to USC within a few months. The NCAA allows players to transfer once without sitting out a season.

McCoy must receive a release from USC or get a waiver from the NCAA to become eligible immediately.

Cedric Tillman, a preseason All-SEC selection, will start at an outside receiver spot, and Jalin Hyatt probably will be in the slot. Walker Merrill and Ramel Keyton have been competing for the other outside receiver spot if McCoy is not available.

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The new contender appears to be Jimmy Holiday, who drew praise from Heupel. Holiday made only one reception last season and served as a kick returner.

“(Holiday) made some plays today, some competitive catches and then run after the catch,” Heupel said. “Walker Merrill has had a really good training camp (with) a much better understanding of what we’re doing.”

Heupel said Jimmy Calloway and freshman Squirrel White must impress coaches this week to prove they deserve to play. They’re among the fastest players on the team and could serve as Hyatt’s backup at slot receiver.

Starting left tackle

Heupel said he anticipates Jeremiah Crawford and Florida transfer Gerald Mincey both playing against Ball State and beyond. Their competition has extended from spring practice to preseason in filling the only vacancy on the offensive line, which returns four starters.

Crawford played 10 games as a backup last season. He was with the No. 1 offense during practice periods open to the media last week, but Heupel said the competition has gone “back and forth.”

Both have improved enough to keep Darnell Wright at right tackle. He played right tackle in 2020 and left tackle in 2021.

Running backs, especially freshmen

Heupel said last season demonstrated that as many as five running backs could get into the rotation because of injuries and other factors.

But expect about three running backs to see significant playing time early in the season.

Jabari Small is the clear-cut No. 1 running back after rushing for a team-high 796 yards and nine TDs last season. Jaylen Wright, who rushed for 409 yards and four TDs, can be penciled in as the backup if he’s at full strength after being limited by an injury early in preseason.

Recent transfer Lyn-J Dixon, who played four seasons at Clemson, needs time to learn the playbook. He may factor into the rotation later in the season.

That leaves freshmen Justin Williams-Thomas and Dylan Sampson jockeying for position. Williams-Thomas, a 6-foot, 210-pounder, showed in the spring as an early enrollee that he’s ready physically to carry the ball in the SEC. Sampson, who arrived this summer, has breakaway speed, and he’s gained ground quickly in the competition.

Heupel said the better pass protector probably will have the upper hand, and that’s still undetermined.

Middle linebacker

Jeremy Banks, a preseason All-SEC selection, is a lock at weak-side linebacker after leading the team with 128 tackles. And sixth-year senior Solon Page is a steady backup.

But middle linebacker isn’t as certain.

Aaron Beasley had a good stat line last season, amassing 84 tackles, 7½ tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries. But coaches would like more consistency and depth at middle linebacker.

Juwan Mitchell led Texas in tackles in 2020. But he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury after transferring to Tennessee in 2021. Mitchell is now healthy and competing for the starting spot.

Heupel hasn’t committed to a starter at middle linebacker. But he said the unit is better because Mitchell is healthy, freshmen have practiced well and Beasley and Page have made major progress in the offseason.

Cornerbacks

Heupel said cornerback Kamal Hadden should return this week after sitting out most of preseason with an unspecified injury. He will join the competition, which is led by returning starter Warren Burrell, Christian Charles, Brandon Turnage and De'Shawn Rucker.

Hadden played seven games last season with two starts. Heupel said Burrell has been steady, so he should be in the rotation.

There are a lot of moving parts in the secondary. Georgia Tech transfer Wesley Walker and Tamarion McDonald are competing at Star position, the Vols’ version of a nickelback.

Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough return as the starting safeties. But Flowers could move to Star and Walker may play safety.

There are other combinations, but coaches want to narrow that list soon. The Vols had the SEC's worst pass defense last season, and they lost cornerback Alontae Taylor and nickelback Theo Jackson to the NFL.

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

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football position battle update: receiver, running back, more