5 things Derrick Ansley and Jim Chaney highlighted at Knoxville Quarterback Club

Tennessee football's coordinators had their turn at the Knoxville Quarterback Club on Monday.

Here's five things defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney highlighted about the No. 21 Vols, who open their season at South Carolina on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network): 

Keyshawn Lawrence ready to roll

Ansley indicated freshman defensive back Keyshawn Lawrence has "got just as good a chance to play this year" as any freshman.

Lawrence, the state's top prospect in 2020 in the 247Sports Composite, has played both cornerback and safety during the preseason.

"He’s one of those guys that is really talented, that you want to move around," Ansley said. "Not saying he’s like Eric Berry, but he’s kind of got that skillset, as far the ball skills, so we’re just trying to figure out where is the best place for him and the best place for the team for him to be successful."

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Lawrence was ranked as the No. 81 prospect in the nation in 2020.

Doneiko Slaughter, another freshman defensive back, also is in line for playing time behind senior Shawn Shamburger at the nickelback position.

"We’ll always play the best player," Ansley said. "If that means playing three or four freshmen defensive backs, we’ll keep doing that if he’s the best player.”

Jarrett Guarantano, the professional

A lot has been made this preseason about Jarrett Guarantano having the same offensive coordinator in back-to-back seasons for the first time in his Tennessee career.

Chaney described a senior quarterback making faster decisions Monday, which speaks to that growth in a system.

“Repetition and knowledge," Chaney said. "Knowledge is everything. If you can be disciplined at quarterback, and see what you need to see when the ball is snapped, then the knowledge takes over from that point on."

Guarantano has started 25 games in his career, but battled through an up-and-down 2019 season — his first under Chaney. Chaney pointed to Guarantano understanding what he needs to see on each play in coverage and progression.

"JG is a real professional when it comes to work," Chaney said. "He’ll come in, work a lot of hours and he’ll put the time in that it takes."

Aubrey Solomon and a breath of fresh air

Defensive lineman Aubrey Solomon got back to practice about 10 days ago, Ansley said. He indicated the senior was "nicked up here and there," while Pruitt said Solomon had to quarantine at one point due to the pandemic.

But since he returned, Ansley said Solomon has "been a breath of fresh air to get out there."

"He’s a big man that is athletic, can hold the point of attack, push the pocket," Ansley said, "Takes multiple men to block him. ... He provides the style we need inside. He’s a big man."

Ansley said Tennessee expects to play eight or nine defensive linemen, including Omari Thomas. Thomas, a Memphis Briarcrest Christian product, was the No. 91 prospect in the 2020 class.

A lot of big-bodied kids

Chaney named 11 offensive linemen Monday with ease, signaling the depth that Tennessee feels it has up front this season.

"We have a lot more depth than we routinely had," Chaney said. "You have bodies, big-bodied kids that are practicing hard up front."

Tennessee returns starting experience with K'Rojhn Calbert, Jerome Carvin, Jahmir Johnson, Brandon Kennedy, Wanya Morris, Trey Smith and Darnell Wright. Jeremy Pruitt said Monday he expects Georgia transfer Cade Mays to know whether or not he received an SEC waiver to play immediately by Saturday.

Chaney praised the play of freshmen Cooper Mays and Javontez Spraggins, both interior offensive linemen.

A productive edge rusher emerging

Ansley pointed to junior Kivon Bennett as the player who has been the most productive at outside linebacker, where Tennessee is trying to replace the threat of Darrell Taylor.

"He’s been a guy that has added some juice off the edge," Ansley said. "He’s bent the edge a couple times and sacked the quarterback in four-man rushes."

Bennett made 27 tackles last season with six tackles for loss and two sacks. Ansley also said senior Deandre Johnson, who started three games last season, is right behind Bennett in production during the preseason.

The duo is expected to start this season for Tennessee. Sophomore Roman Harrison and freshmen Tyler Baron and Morven Joseph are among the reserves. 

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.