KNOXVILLE—Butch Jones held the first game-week press conference of his Tennessee career this afternoon and released a depth chart for the Austin Peay game (6 pm EDT, PPV). Here are a few quick thoughts on the depth chart at each position plus a handful of quotes of today’s press conference.

Quarterbacks: If anyone went into the week expecting anyone other than Justin Worley to start at QB, they weren’t paying attention. Worley has been getting the vast majority of first team reps in practice since camp kicked off and clearly has the best handle of the offense.

“Our starting quarterback will be Justin Worley. It was a very, very tight race. I thought all four individuals did a great job. I thought they all really advanced the growth and development throughout the course of training camp. We just thought Justin was just a little bit ahead of the other three individuals….Everything is judged by your productivity. We’ll continue to look at that position.”

Nathan Peterman is listed behind Worley on the depth chart. When asked who’s behind Peterman, Jones replied “a true freshman.” We’ll see who gets snaps against Austin Peay, and even though Jones was noncommittal about playing multiple quarterbacks, you can expect several Vol QBs to see the field.

When Tiny Richardson and Ja’Wuan James were asked about which true freshman stood out to them, they both praised Riley Ferguson for his arm strength and leadership before talking about Dobbs’ mobility and intelligence. Don’t rule out seeing Ferguson and/or Dobbs on the field Saturday.

QB: Justin Worley | Nathan Peterman

Running backs: Senior Rajion Neal is listed as the starter and has earned it. He’s been the most consistent back during both spring practice and fall camp. I still expect Marlin Lane and Neal to get a similar number of carries this season providing both are healthy. Lane has been the most explosive Tennessee back we’ve seen in a few years and the tandem of Lane and Neal could surprise some teams this year. In somewhat surprising news, Tom Smith is listed as the No. 3 RB ahead of Alden Hill. After a breakout spring, Hill has kind of been lost in the mix during fall camp. Give credit to Tom Smith though; he has been running the ball extremely well the last two weeks.

RB: Rajion Neal | Marlin Lane | Tom Smith

Receivers: Freshman standout Marquez North will start and should be a tough matchup for pretty much every team the Vols face this year. At 6-4, 215 pounds, North has the size of a seasoned veteran. Though he may not run the sharpest routes on the team, he’s shown a consistent ability to make plays even when going against Tennessee’s best defensive backs. Pig Howard will start in the slot and is in the best shape of his career. Like North, he’ll be a weapon the coaching staff will utilize in a variety of ways. Devrin Young will back Howard up in the slot and is coming off several good weeks of practice. Don’t be surprised if Young makes an impact in the passing game early and often.

The other starting spot with go to either Jason Croom or Josh Smith.  A true freshman from CAK, Smith has been working consistently with the first team but has been slowed by a nagging leg injury. Croom, a redshirt freshman, is probably the favorite to earn the job at this point. Regardless of who starts, both Croom and Smith should see significant snaps. Vincent Dallas, who had been working at DB, is listed behind Marquez North on the outside. Dallas was working the first team at WR before his move to DB and should make an impact in the passing game. Tennessee’s starting receivers are a talented group, but have zero starts and just 54 career receiving yards between them.

WR: Marquez North | Vincent Dallas

WR: Jason Croom OR Josh Smith

WR: Pig Howard | Devrin Young

Tight End: Junior Brendan Downs will start at tight end. He has six career catches and played sparingly the past few years while backing up Mychal Rivera. Downs is a solid player and should see his share of targets. He’ll be backed up by Joseph Ayres who is more of a run-blocking tight end than Downs. JUCO newcomer Woody Quinn is listed at No. 3 on the depth chart. Look for Quinn to see more snaps as the year progresses. He has the skill-set to be dangerous in the passing game once he adjusts to the physicality of SEC football.

TE: Brendan Downs | Joseph Ayres | Woody Quinn

Offensive line: Tennessee’s offensive line is arguably the best in the nation and there weren’t many surprises on the depth chart. True freshman Dylan Wiesman earned the rights to make the second unit at right guard with his play during camp. The Vols need to get their second unit some work this year and you should see a healthy dose of them during the Austin Peay game.

LT: Tiny Richardson | Jacob Gilliam

LG: Alex Bullard | Marcus Jackson

C: James Stone | Mack Crowder

RG: Zach Fulton | Dylan Wiesman

RT: Ja’Wuan James | Kyler Kerbyson

Defensive line: Injuries will keep Corey Vereen and Jacques Smith out of the Austin Peay game, but Jones revealed some good news today: He expects Smith (who’s out with a broken thumb) to be back for the Western Kentucky game. This week, Corey Miller and Jordan Williams will start at defensive end. Williams is an adept pass-rusher and had a great camp. They’ll be backed up by LaTroy Lewis and Marlon Walls. At tackle, Dan Hood and Daniel McCullers will start, while Mo Couch and Danny O’Brien will see snaps in a reserve role. The Vols lack depth at every position, but the defensive front is the deepest and most experienced unit on the team. Their play will be key if the Vols are to return to postseason play this season.

LE: Corey Miller | LaTroy Lewis

NT: Daneil McCullers | Mo Couch

DT: Daniel Hood | Danny O’Brien

DE: Jordan Williams | Marlon Walls

Linebacker: The only surprise at linebacker is that Curt Maggitt may play against Austin Peay. He’s been limited in camp as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in the Missouri game last year. Odds are still against him playing, but the fact they’re considering rolling him out there is a good sign. For this Vol defense to have a great year, they need Maggitt on the field. At the very least, it looks like things are on track for him to return in time for SEC play.

A.J. Johnson will start at middle linebacker, Brent Brewer at SLB, and Dontavis Sapp at WLB. Tennessee’s front seven could be one of the better units in the SEC if they stay healthy.

WLB: Dontavis Sapp | Curt Maggitt

MLB: A.J. Johnson | John Propst

SLB: Brent Brewer | Greg King

Defensive back: The secondary has been set for a few weeks. LaDarrell McNeil will start ahead of senior Byron Moore at free safety. That’s not a knock on Moore, McNeil has All-SEC/NFL potential and has been playing like it. Brian Randolph looks to be nearly 100% after suffering a knee injury against the Gators last year. His backup, Max Arnold, has been one of the most consistent players in camp. Tennessee, barring injury, is in good shape at safety.

Justin Coleman is primed to have a breakout year at corner. A junior who has played in every game since setting foot on campus, Coleman has the potential to be a shutdown corner. Talented true freshman Cameron Sutton will start opposite Coleman. The coaching staff won’t stop raving about Sutton and though he’ll take his lumps early, his ceiling his extremely high. It’s no secret the Vols lacked speed in the secondary last year. A healthy Randolph with the additions of McNeil and Sutton to the starting lineup should go a long way toward addressing the speed issue.

CB: Justin Coleman | Malik Foreman

CB: Cameron Sutton | Reggie Juin

NK: JaRon Toney | Devaun Swafford

SS: Brian Randolph | Max Arnold

FS: LaDarrell McNeil | Byron Moore

Special teams: As expected, Michael Palardy will start the season handling all of Tennessee’s kicking duties. He averaged over 43 yard per punt last year and should be one of the best punters in the league this season. He has the leg strength to be one of the best place-kickers in the league but has lacked consistency. Look for George Bullock to push him for kickoff duties as he recovers from a broken leg.

Devrin Young will handle punt returns but Cameron Sutton could also get a look. Young is without a doubt the most consistent player on the team at fielding punts and averages 10.4 yards per return for his career. Young and Pig Howard will make a more than adequate kick return duo to start the season.

P: Michael Palardy | Matt Darr PK: Michael Palardy | George Bullock KO: Michael Palardy | George Bullock

DS: J.R. Carr | Matt Giampapa H: Tyler Drummer | Matt Darr

PR: Devrin Young | Cameron Sutton KR: Devrin Young | Pig Howard

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