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It’s helmet stripe shedding season in Knoxville. Over the past several weeks we’ve seen several player lose their rookie stripe, including LaTrell Bumphus, Theo Jackson, Shawn Shamburger and Cheyenne Labruzza. We have a running back to add to that list, but it’s probably not who you would expect.
Jones announced Tim Jordan is first freshman RB to have black stripe removed. CB Cheyenne Labruzza also had black strip removed.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) August 21, 2017
It’s Tim Jordan — not Ty Chandler — as the first running back to lose his helmet stripe. It was somewhat surprising to hear Butch Jones mention the fact that all three freshmen tailbacks would play this fall, but it at least appears that he’s not kidding about that.
I’d still expect Ty Chandler to get more carries than Jordan or Trey Coleman, but the latter two have really impressed in camp. Tennessee may not have a lot of experience behind John Kelly, but they’ve got three capable freshman along with sophomore Carlin Fils-Aime.
Depth shouldn’t be an issue in this season in the Tennessee backfield.