Experience Should Aid Tennessee's Defensive Unit

The Tennessee Volunteers football team returns tons of players on defense. This gives them the potential for big improvements on that side of the football.

With football season right around the corner on Rocky Top, the Vols are getting their depth chart for the season opener against Virginia in Nashville on September 2nd. Quarterback Joe Milton III and the offense have been getting lots of praise due to head coach Josh Heupel's brain power on the offensive side of the football. However, the Tennessee defense is set up for a special 2023 season. There are ten seniors on the defense, and defensive coordinator Tim Banks has been really happy with how the likely starters have performed in spring and summer camps.

"They are continuing to get better and continuing to work...if they consistently continue this, then some of these guys will have an opportunity to contribute." Some of the seniors coming back for 2023 are big names from last season that have the potential to contribute like they did a season ago. For example, free safety Jaylen McCollough may not have gotten interceptions, but he was a very good tackler in the open field with 58 total tackles.

Tennessee S Jaylen McCollough after a big hit against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 26, 2022. (Photo by Christopher Hanewinckel of USA Today Sports)

Another big name is middle linebacker Aaron Beasley who put up sensational numbers in 2022. he had 76 total tackles, including three sacks and 13 tackles for a loss. These are just a few names, and the chemistry the entire unit has had from their previous season will assist them come this fall. The entire secondary is coming back and looks more fine-tuned than a season ago when they gave up the 3rd most passing yards per game among SEC teams.

As for the front seven, they were the strength of the defense and gave up the second-fewest yards on the ground per game in the conference. They were only second to the Georgia Bulldogs' elite squad. Tennessee was also underlooked when it came to forcing turnovers. They forced the 4th most fumbles per game and had the third most interceptions per game. They also were fourth in the SEC in defensive touchdown average. This defense led by Banks is poised for a stronger year. 

You Might Also Like:

• The Road To Playoff Contention Starts In Gainesville For Tennessee
• Four Vols Earn Preseason All-SEC Honors
• Impact Analysis: What Does Edwin Spillman Bring To Rocky Top?

Join the community:

Follow Evan Crowell on Twitter: @EvanVCrowell

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @VolunteerCountry & follow us on Twitter at @VCountryFN.