Vols’ Buchanan out indefinitely; redshirt year is possible
KNOXVILLE – Tennessee nickelback Baylen Buchanan‘s status for this season is in question because of a health situation.
Buchanan has not practiced during the preseason, and coach Jeremy Pruitt detailed his situation on Tuesday.
“Baylen had a couple of issues during the offseason, and basically, we discovered that he has kind of a narrowing of the spine,” Pruitt said. “So, for his safety and precaution, we're holding him out. We've sent him to a lot of specialists across the country and just kind of waiting and gathering information.”
Buchanan, a senior, started every game last season. He's a physical presence in the box and ranked sixth on the team with 49 tackles. Buchanan also can play cornerback, but nickelback is his best position. That fifth defensive back gets a lot of snaps in Tennessee's defense.
Buchanan has a redshirt season available, and Pruitt did not rule out the possibility of him using that and returning in 2020.
“One thing you have to figure out is, is this something he's had the whole time he's played? Or is this something that just kind of happened right now?” Pruitt said. “But, precautionary, we've held him out and we're going to continue to do that because his safety is our first priority.”
Buchanan made six starts at cornerback last season and six at nickelback. The Vols have weighed a few options at nickelback, a key position in Pruitt's defense. Nigel Warrior started at nickelback during the spring game, but he's more likely to wind up at safety, where he's been a starter the past two seasons.
Junior Shawn Shamburger is a versatile defensive back with three career starts who could be well-suited for the role.
Bryce Thompson, a Freshman Allamerican cornerback last season, also has cross-trained at nickelback.
Buchanan's absence also hurts Tennessee's cornerback depth, but the Vols are getting a lift during the preseason from freshman Warren Burrell, who has Pruitt's attention. Thompson and Alontae Taylor are Tennessee's returning starters at cornerback.
“It's good that Warren's here because he creates competition,” Pruitt said.