By Caleb Calhoun
A paradox of the Vols’ pass defense issues last year is that they had a good bit of talent at the spots necessary to slow down any passing attack. They had a cornerback in Alontae Taylor taken in the second round of the draft, their nickel, Theo Jackson, went in the fifth round of the draft, and they had multiple All-SEC caliber edge rushers in Byron Young and Tyler Baron.
This year, the departures of Taylor and Jackson make it clear that cornerback is the major question surrounding the pass defense and if it can improve. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks effectively said as much in a press conference on Wednesday.
When asked about players we can expect to stand out this year, Banks focused on people specifically who would slow down the passing attack. However, he only named safeties and edge rushers.
“I think Tyler Baron has had a really good camp for us,” he said. “I feel like on the back end, T-Mac (Tamarion McDonald) has come along. He’s doing a tremendous job for us, along with Tank (Jaylen McCollough and (Trevon) Flowers, and then obviously B.Y. (Byron Young), he jumps out.”
McDonald is emerging as Theo Jackson’s potential replacement at star, but, to be fair, he’s been a backup safety the past two years. As a result, that was a clear focus for Banks.
At cornerback, however, there are tons more questions. After touting the safeties, Banks named just Flowers, McCollough and Warren Burrell when asked about the starting rotation.
“All those guys have been interchangeable all spring and even all fall, so exactly what position those guys play when we take that first snap, I think we’re still working through that,” he said. “But obviously, those three names jump to mind in terms of we feel pretty good that those guys will be out there in some form or fashion, just at what position, we’ll see.”
That level of caginess couldn’t hide the fact that he’s much more clear about the safety spots than the cornerback spots. McCollough and Flowers aren’t just going to leave their spots after starting there for two and a half years.
Banks was also clear at edge rusher. Young will obviously be the starter, and if he uses an edge rusher on the other side of the defensive line, Baron will be the starter. Roman Harrison could make a push there too.
What’s less clear is how the cornerback situation will play out. It’s a pretty big question as to whether or not Burrell can guard the other team’s No. 1 receiver, which may be why Banks called the positions “interchangeable.”
Last year, Burrell was one of the more highly rated defensive players in terms of his PFF regular season grade, but he was the No. 2 cornerback to Taylor. When he filled in for Taylor, who opted out of the Music City Bowl, the pass defense was a notable disaster. As a result, he may only be fit to guard a team’s second-best receiver.
These questions at cornerback don’t just come from things Banks has said. You can listen to the players as well. Even Flowers himself, when speaking Wednesday, couldn’t really name a set rotation there.
“There’s a lot of guys that can definitely play at a high level at those spots,” he said. “For now, I guess, we’re just trying to see who’s going to fit best in which spot, whether it’s the field or boundary or whatever the case may be, but we’ll be alright.”
Again, any reading of the depth chart will make it clear there are no questions at safety with Flowers and McCollough. As a result, this is solely about the cornerback spot.
To some degree, though, it’s understandable why there may be issues at cornerback. Not only are Taylor and Jackson gone, but Burrell, Brandon Turnage, Kamal Hadden and De’Shawn Rucker all missed spring practice due to injury. That left the race wide open. Banks couldn’t even say how many cornerbacks he’d use regularly this year.
“It’s still kind of evolving,” he said. “Obviously, we’ll have a number in mind in terms of how many guys we want to play or get the lion’s share of reps, so to speak, but to be able to say definitively what that looks like, I don’t know right now.”
In addition to those four guys back from injury, junior college transfer Dee Williams and sophomore Christian Charles are in the race. Newcomers Christian Harrison and Jourdan Thomas along with transfers Andre Turrentine and Wesley Walker appear to be seeing more time at safety.
When it comes to improving from last year at safety, it’s not lost on Flowers the steps the unit needed to take this offseason. Both Flowers and McCollough, like the linebackers, struggled with quarterback containment when they were in the pocket. Allowing quarterbacks to extend plays was a huge reason the pass defense struggled.
Such issues forced Banks to focus on the safety spot this offseason with Flowers and McCollough back. It seems to have been working, as Flowers talked about the improvements he made in the offseason Wednesday.
“From tackling to being a leader to play-calling to seeing formations, seeing what the offense likes to do, literally everything, I’ve looked back at myself and had to tell myself that I’ve got to be better,” he said. “I don’t think I did great last year, honestly. I know I can do way more, so I’ve just been locked in, ready to improve.”
Flowers also praised similar improvements from McCollough and McDonald, noting that they’re more locked in, better at forgetting about the previous play and in better shape. He also joined Banks in touting the edge rushers and the impact they make.
“Every time we come in after practice and check the board, the sack numbers are always high,” Flowers said. “So those guys are getting off the ball. They’re straining. They’re ready to go, for sure.”
Based on the personnel, it’s pretty obvious edge rushers will carry the pass defense, and the safeties should be much better. The question is about the cornerbacks.
