Tennessee’s secondary needed a major overhaul no matter who left for the NFL. The Vols were just that bad last season. Things had to get better.
Tennessee needs to improve drastically in the defensive backfield this season. That shouldn’t be hard. The Vols ranked last in the SEC against the pass in 2021. Now, Tennessee has to replace cornerback Alontae Taylor and Theo Jackson, who excelled at the STAR position. Both were selected in the recent NFL Draft.
Playing the STAR position isn’t easy.
“You are involved in both the run and pass game,” defensive backs coach Willie Martinez said. “You are also defending probably the fastest player on their team in the slot. He (the STAR) has to be a dynamic player and be one of the best, if not the best player, because he is going to be involved in the run game and the passing game.”
Tamarion McDonald and Georgia Tech transfer Wesley Walker have been getting most of the practice repetitions at the STAR. McDonald has been known as more of a special teams contributor. Walker played extensively at safety before transferring from Tech. Trevon Flowers has also seen some back-up reps at STAR, but will likely play most of his snaps elsewhere.
McDonald hasn’t been a mainstay in Tennessee’s secondary. However, he was a special teams standout last season. That gives Martinez some confidence. So does McDonald’s physique.
“He’s got a great body type, long,” Martinez said. “Really didn’t know much about him when he got here. I think he was more of a box player in high school. What I mean by that is in between the tackles, whether it was a safety, linebacker, whatever the case may be.”
McDonald’s history of playing in the tackle box can only help him. However, his ability to play in space would come into question if he hadn’t been so good at special teams last season.
“He was very consistent on our special teams last year,” Martinez said. “We say it all of the time, if you can make plays in space, it gives you a chance to be a player on offense and defense. It has built confidence.
“He played a few defensive snaps last year. When he did get in there, did a nice job, but there is a lot more confidence. He understands our system better. He has been a really good special teams player for us.
“He knows it is all about field awareness, leverage and making plays in space. Obviously, it starts with tackling and then obviously trying to play coverages, whether it’s man or zone coverage, he looks very comfortable.”
Said McDonald, “My confidence has gotten a lot better. I’m playing a lot faster. Last year I was playing hesitant a lot, reading my keys, I wanted to go with my move. Now, I read my keys and I shoot it. I see it and I go. I’m playing a lot faster. I’m a lot more confident.”
We’ll see if Walker ends up at STAR, although he’s expected to play deeper – as a safety – in Tennessee’s secondary. As the Vols look for versatility in the secondary, they’ll have more options with all of their players. However, Walker looks as if he’s slated to play safety since that’s what he has played most in college. That gives McDonald a chance to be a STAR.
