Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden has a broken foot and will miss the season. Jones has upgraded the roster by signing two straight recruiting classes rated among the nation’s top five by multiple services.
Advertisement
Gaulden is the third player confirmed lost for the year for the Vols, and the second likely starter, joining senior Marcus Jackson on the shelf for the year in addition to projected backup offensive lineman Austin Sanders.
The 6-foot-1, 178-pound Gaulden played primarily on special teams in 11 games as a freshman last season. He’d been working as the Vols’ first-team nickelback for most of training camp.
Jones said junior cornerback Cameron Sutton has requested to wear Gaulden’s No. 7 this season.
The injury was suffered on Thursday night during a punt return drill in which Gaulden “got tripped up”, according to Jones.
Advertisement
The loss of Jackson and now Sanders means the Volunteers could start a true freshman at left guard this season. “Like we talked about, sub-defenses, the nickel position, is as important as any position that there is when you talk defensive football”.
