Texas A&M Aggies vs. Tennessee Volunteers Week 7: Defensive Players To Watch

The Tennessee Volunteers host Texas A&M in Knoxville on Oct. 14, and the Aggies will face a much-improved defense from previous seasons.

The Tennessee Volunteers host Texas A&M in Knoxville on Oct. 14, and the Aggies will face a much-improved defense from previous seasons.

Tennessee won double-digit games last year for the first time since 2007, and the program feels like it's finally getting solid again under coach Josh Heupel. While the Vols' defense made a leap last season, but more improvement will be needed if Tennessee hopes to compete with Georgia in the SEC East.

One of the biggest needs for improvement this season on the defensive side will be pass defense. Last season, the Vols allowed 289.5 yards per game, good enough for 127th in the country.

Last season linebacker Aaron Beasley improved as the year went on and he finished with 76 tackles, while cornerback Doneiko Slaughter also showed flashes late. Heupel added linebacker Keenan Pili and corner Gabe Jeudy-Lally from BYU via the transfer portal, and the defense has taken another leap in 2023.

LB Aaron Beasley

Aaron Beasley / USA Today

Beasley enters his senior season after leading the Vols in total tackles (76) and solo tackles (39) last year. In Tennessee's 31-14 Orange Bowl win over Clemson on Dec. 30, Beasley posted 12 total tackles and two sacks. For 2023, Beasley has registered 33 total tackles, two sacks and two passes defended.

DB Kamal Hadden

Kamal Hadden / USA Today

Hadden tied for the Vols' lead in interceptions last season with two and forced one fumble. He was fourth on the team in total tackles (51) and solo tackles (30). He also registered three passes defended. In Tennessee's Orange Bowl win over Clemson Hadden totaled nine tackles, seven solo. This season, Hadden has 15 total tackles with 10 solo, six passes defended, and a team-leading two interceptions with a pick-6.

DL Tyler Baron

Tyler Barron / USA Today

Baron is in his senior season with the Vols and was third on the team in sacks last year with 2.5. He also registered a forced fumble and 23 total tackles with 13 solo. Baron had four total tackles with three solo in Tennessee's win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl. Barron has 12 total tackles on the year and is second on the team in sacks with four.