SEC Contender Reportedly Loses Key Defensive Starter For 2024 Season

The Tennessee Volunteers lost eight members of its secondary to the transfer portal this offseason. Brandon Turnage, Wesley Walker, Jack Luttrell, Christian Conyer, Doneiko Slaughter, Warren Burrell, De'Shawn Rucker, and Tamarrion McDonald were all defensive backs who left Knoxville in the portal.

On top of the players who hit the portal, defensive backs Jaylen McCollough, Gabe Jeudy-Lally, and Kamal Hadden left the program for the NFL.

Tennessee reportedly lost another member of its secondary on Monday, this time to injury. According to Adam Sparks of the Knoxville News Sentinel , Jourdan Thomas recently suffered a knee injury at practice. A team spokesperson confirmed to Sparks that the injury is season-ending.

Thomas was projected to start for the Volunteers this season in the secondary. Since joining the team in 2022, Thomas has played in 25 games. He accounted for 28 total tackles and two tackles for loss from 2022-23.

However, Tennessee has added some secondary players through the transfer portal and recruiting. Former Towson Tigers cornerback Andre Stewart, former Oregon State Beavers corner Jermod McCoy, former Temple Owls corner Jalen McMurray, and former Memphis Tigers safety Jakobe Thomas transferred to Tennessee during the offseason.

Tennessee added former four-star athlete Boo Carter , former four-star corner Kaleb Beasley , former three-star safety Marcus Goree , and former three-star safety Edrees Farooq to its secondary from the 2024 class.

Ricky Gibson III will also return to the Tennessee secondary in 2024 after playing in 13 games last season and making nine total tackles and one tackle for loss.

Tennessee finished at 9-4 last season after beating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Citrus Bowl. The Volunteers open the 2024 campaign against the Chattanooga Mocs on Aug. 31.

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