In 2018, Tennessee football turned to two freshmen four-star athletes to become starters at cornerback in Bryce Thompson and Alontae Taylor. Both were very effective, and Thompson became a freshman All-American with three picks.
On Saturday, the Vols’ defense may be turning to two true freshmen again who were four-star commitments. And ironically, one of them could be replacing Thompson, who is suspended indefinitely and might be gone permanently due to a legal issue. The other is replacing Daniel Bituli, who is out 10 to 17 days to clean up a minor injury.
But given the offseason hype surrounding these freshmen, there is no reason they shouldn’t be ready to go against the Georgia State Panthers.