Jalen McMurray Making Early Impression on Tennessee Vols Position Coach

Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jalen McMurray is making an early impression after transferring in this spring from Temple.

Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) and / Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jalen McMurray is making an early impression after transferring in this spring from Temple.

Tennessee defensive backs coach Willie Martinez went into the transfer portal this offseason to retool his backend. The secondary has consistently been the Achilles heel of Tennessee's football program over the past three seasons, and heading into a season where the Vols have CFP aspirations, they needed more consistent defensive backs.

Martinez added talented prospects from the high school ranks in 2024, signing four defensive backs, two of whom ranked inside the top 200 prospects, according to On3's Industry Rankings. However, they did want to rely solely on young talent, so Martinez also brought three defensive backs to campus through the transfer portal.

Former Temple defensive back Jalen McMurray was an under-the-radar addition for the Vols, but he logged 38 tackles and four pass deflections last season. He has two seasons of collegiate eligibility remaining and already has two seasons of starting experience under his belt.

"He's been the most consistent player out of the new guys," Martinez told media this week.  "Meaning where he's making production every day.  You can see it.  He's got great instincts.  He's smart.  He actually knows the plays before the plays are being run.  Kind of like he has that knack about him, and he's been the most consistent player each day.  So, it's great to see because we needed that competition to help those other developing young guys."

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