Hey! Look! Some surprises.

Everybody loves a 2-deep, though sometimes a Butch Jones 2-deep is more a red herring than a document etched in stone. However, this 2-deep released for the opener with Grambling State seems legit enough.

Offense		1	2
	QB	James Blackman	AJ Mayer
	RB	Johnnie Lang	Brian Snead
	TE	Emmanual Stevenson	Seydou Traore
	WR	Te’Vailance Hunt	Khyheem Waleed
	WR	Champ Flemings	Reagan Ealy
	WR	Jeff Foreman	Adam Jones
	LT	Makilan Thomas	Noah Smith
	LG	Mekhi Butler	Darrell Harden
	C	Ethan Miner	Chase Jessup
	RG	Jordan Rhodes	Ernesto Ramirez
	RT	Robert Holmes	Elijah Zollicoffer
	K	Dominic Zvada	Aidan Ellison
	PR	Johnnie Lang	Champ Flemings
	KR	Johnnie Lang	Champ Flemings
Defense		1	2
	DE	Thurman Geathers	Dennard Flowers
	DT	John Mincey	Terion Sugick
	NT	TW Ayers	Tim Hardiman
	DE	Kivon Bennett	Ethan Hassler
	LB	Melique Straker	Cam Jeffrey
	LB	Jaden Harris	Cruz Temple
	CB	Kenneth Harris	Samy Johnson
	S	Trevian Thomas	Taylon Doss
	S	Eddie Smith	Justn Parks
	CB	Leon Jones	Denzel Blackwell
	P	Ryan Hanson	William Przystup

The Kivon Bennett at Linebacker Experiment Appears to be Over

Much was made of Bennett assuming his father’s mantle at linebacker in the off season – until reports out of camp had the senior sack solicitor back at defensive end. Either Butch Jones likes what he sees from Melique Straker and Jayden Harris, or he just likes Bennet menacing QBs at defensive end.

Also, where is Colorado transfer Blayne Toll? Does his omission from the 2-deep offer clues as to why Bennett is back at defensive end?

True Freshmen Chase Jessup and Elijah Zollicoffer are Gonna See Minutes

All 349 pounds of Zollicoffer looks to spell starter Robert Holmes at right tackle for game one. Lake Hamilton freshman Chase Jessup might see some snaps at center subbing for Ethan Miner. As expected, Ole Miss transfer Jordan Rhodes makes an immediate impact starting at right guard.

TW Ayers is Your Starting Nose Tackle

Former linebacker, defensive end, full back TW Ayers has earned a spot in the center of the defensive line. He’s not exactly sized like Ryan Carruthers, but at 275 pounds he may have some unexpected quickness in the trenches.