Auburn football: Rematch with Tennessee gives the Tigers a perfect chance for revenge

While Guarantano did put up a career-high in yards and TDs last season, he had a pair of star wideouts that helped him do so. Unfortunately for Tenessee, both Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway are gone as well as the team’s starting tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson.

The duo of Jennings and Callaway combined for 1,604 yards and 14 TDs last season and that’s a good bit of production to replace. As a result, the Vols are entering the 2020 season with holes to fill at receiver.

The team’s leading returning receiver is senior Josh Palmer. Palmer recorded 34 catches for 457 yards and one TD last season and at 6’2″ and 200 pounds, the Florida product has the size to be a No. 1 option.

Expectations are fairly high for Palmer to step up in his new role as he was named to Athlon Sports’ preseason All-SEC fourth team.

Behind Palmer, the Vols have redshirt senior Brandon Johnson,  four-star freshman Malachi Wideman and a pair of transfers with Velus Jones Jr. (USC) and former UGA defensive back Deangelo Gibbs to compete in the slot.

Jones Jr. is definitely a player as, even though the former Trojan hasn’t done a ton as a receiver, he is extremely fast, explosive and versatile and should be one of the best return men in the SEC.

At tight end, the Vols have two redshirt seniors in Austin Pope and Jordan Allen but neither is especially experienced and both are coming off significant injuries.