Tennessee football will take another step toward relevancy in 2020

Defense looks to continue its momentum

Last season the defense was what won the Vols games and helped turn the season around. In their last seven wins, the defense gave up an average of 14.7 points a game. That average would have been sixth-best in the country, but due to some early season struggles they finished 29th.

Jeremy Pruitt is becoming one of the best defensive minds in the SEC. While at Alabama in 2016 and 2017 as defensive coordinator, the Tide finished top three in the country in scoring and total defense both years. Since his departure, they finished 12th and 16th, respectively, in 2018 and 13th and 20th, respectively, last year. We can’t attribute all the success to Pruitt but his absence has clearly left an impact in Tuscaloosa, something few people have done.

Pruitt’s really building something in Knoxville, especially on this side of the ball, where the 2020 group could be better than 2019.

The loss of linebacker Daniel Bituli, edge rusher Darnell Taylor and safety Nigel Warrior is a big deal. Bituli led the team in tackles, Taylor led the team in sacks and Warrior led the team in interceptions. Losing the top guy from each level of the defense is tough to overcome, but a lot of talent is coming back.

Up front, the defensive line has seniors Aubrey Solomon and Darrel Middleton on the edges and sophomore Greg Emerson at nose tackle. Solomon and Middleton are a formidable duo coming off the ends while Emerson gets the starting nod after senior Emmit Gooden was dismissed by the team in July after a domestic abuse charge came to light.

The linebacking corps is led by Henry To’oto’o who was dominant as a freshman. He made the Freshman All-American team last season after finishing second on the team in tackles with 72 and adding another five tackles for loss. To’oto’o will be able to replace Bituli’s production, and is already viewed as the leader of the defense. Next to him at inside linebacker is sophomore Quavaris Crouch who is an athletic freak and this duo will be a force in the SEC. On the outside are Deandre Johnson and Kivon Bennett.

Cornerback Bryce Thompson was an important member of the defense last year. He missed the first half of the season serving a suspension but his return gave the Volunteers a real lockdown guy that helped turn the tide of the season. There’s some youth in the secondary the coaches are excited about in safety Jaylen McCollough and corner Key Lawrence.

It’s crazy to think that after losing your leading tackler, top pass rusher and top safety that your defense won’t take a step back, but the Vols are in a great spot under Pruitt. He’s recruited extremely well in his short time in Knoxville and there’s a lot to be excited about for the future of this defense.