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When you’ve got some clear holes on the roster post-signing day, you’ve got to get creative. That’s exactly what Jeremy Pruitt and his staff are doing for spring ball. Pruitt announced some positional changes today as he tries to maximize this roster.
Tyler Byrd’s move to defensive back was an obvious one, but Pruitt announced that two others will be moving to totally new positions as well.
Pruitt said WR Tyler Byrd and RB Carlin Fils-aime will start the first 7 days of
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) March 9, 2018
spring ball in the secondary and LB Ja’Quain Blakely will start the
first 7 days at tight end. Pruitt said he considers DE same as OLB in his 3-4
system so he won't be moving DEs to OLB.
Carlin Fils-Aime is the surprise here. The reserve running back ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns in 2017, serving as the 3rd or 4th option for Butch Jones and Larry Scott. The former four star recruit will work in the secondary to open camp.
At 5-11, 183 pounds, Fils-Aime may have been a touch light for what Tyson Helton wants out of his backs. With a clear need in the secondary, Tennessee has to try something.
Ty Chandler, Tim Jordan, Trey Coleman each will return with four-star freshman Jeremy Banks also entering the fold. Tennessee has enough depth in the backfield to where they can afford to lose one.
I’m interested to see how both Fils-Aime and Byrd perform on the other side of the ball. Tennessee needs a band-aid at cornerback, so it’s worth a shot to see if these guys can make the swap.