If we could name everybody on the defensive line for Tennessee Football after the Vols beat the N.C. State Wolfpack 51-10 Saturday, we would. That basically stole the show for UT. However, it was a collective effort of elite to solid performances, so we have to spread the wealth somewhat for our tourchbearers. These were the top five Vols in UT’s win over N.C. State.
5. Will Brooks
Part of being a torchbearer involves big plays. You could partially give credit to Joshua Josephs here for the pressure he brought to actually cause this play, but at the end of the day, Will Brooks, a walk-on safety, had the key play of the game, picking off Grayson McCall and returning it for a touchdown to put the Vols up 17-3. Brooks broke up another pass, but having the play of the game puts him on here.
4. Arion Carter
Part of the defensive front for Tennessee Football was the play of the linebackers. Jeremiah Telander, Keenan Pili and Arion Carter all played a huge role in holding N.C. State to just 39 yards on 28 carries, with Telander specifically recovering a fumble, but Carter was the biggest star of the group. Carter broke up a pass and had one and a half tackles for a loss, and he was all over the field all night.
3. Dominic Bailey
True defensive ends playing up on the line opposite edge rusher have bee missing for the Vols the past couple years. Dominic Bailey and Tyre West are finally bringing that back in the rotation. In this game, Bailey was the star, as he had three tackles and a strip-sack, which he recovered. Coming away with big plays like that earns him the torchbearer.
2. Omari Thomas
This is for the whole defensive line. Bryson Eason had four tackles and a tackle for a loss, Omarr Norman-Lott had a sack, and Jaxson Moi assisted on a TFL. At edge, James Pearce Jr., Jordan Ross and Josephs all assisted on TFLs too, and Pearce had two hurries. Omari Thomas was the anchor, though. He’s the leader of the group at defensive tackle, and he had one and a half TFLs and a pass deflection.
1. Dylan Sampson
Nico Iamaleava had 276 total yards and three total touchdowns, but he did throw two picks and missed on three other throws. As a result, the star of the offense for Tennessee Football ended up being Dylan Sampson, who finished the game with 20 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns while adding three catches for 37 yards.
