DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
DEFENSIVE LINE
Tennessee is transitioning to a 3-4 base defense, but the Volunteers will play plenty of nickel this season with four down linemen. Two of those will be a pair of former five-star prospects looking to end their college careers on a high note. Defensive tackle Shy Tuttle is in the best health of his career, and defensive end Kyle Phillips has taken a leadership role with the team. After that, opportunity abounds for a group of freshmen and sophomores to emerge as contributors. Optimism is high that junior college transfer Emmit Gooden could have an immediate impact.
LINEBACKERS
Former defensive ends Deandre Johnson, Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor are technically outside linebackers now and have a few new techniques and assignments to learn. Their primary task will remain the same: Rush the quarterback. In the middle, Tennessee has veterans to deploy: Daniel Bituli and Darrin Kirkland Jr. and Quart’e Sapp. Talented young players Will Ignont and J.J. Peterson have appealing potential as well.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Nigel Warrior anchors the secondary from his safety slot while senior Micah Abernathy and redshirt senior Todd Kelly Jr. will try to fend off talented sophomore Theo Jackson at the other safety slot. Cornerback and nickel back are the positions with the most unanswered questions as the Sept. 1 opener against West Virginia approaches.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Fiery sophomore kicker Brent Cimaglia made 8 of 13 field-goal attempts last season. All of his misses came on tries of 40 yards or longer as he gained valuable experience while filling in for Aaron Medley, who has graduated. Paxton Brooks will have a big right shoe to fill with the graduation of punter Trevor Daniel. Sophomore running back Ty Chandler is a likely candidate for a role in the return game after returning a kick for a touchdown last season.