It must be tough being a Tennessee defensive tackle. Sure, you’re a part of a great group of players, but you really don’t get to play very much no matter how good you are.
Such is the challenge facing defensive lineman Bryson Eason, who was tied as the Vols leading tackler with four takedowns and had one tackle for a loss. No matter. He’s still just a play away from being subbed out. Eason, however, isn’t complaining that the Vols’ depth on the defensive line, especially at tackle, may be undermining his playing time.
“I don’t feel like it’s a sacrifice at all because a lot of guys in that room could not be in that room and be playing at other places and thriving,” Eason said, referring to players that could have transferred to another school. “It’s really a blessing for us to have that many guys that can play on the elite level. Like I said earlier, there’s no drop off.
“Me personally, I feel like it’s a great thing because you don’t want to be out there dog tired. We’re human. We’re football players. We’re going to get tired in the trenches, so I think it’s a great thing that we can split reps and still execute and still be elite and create havoc in the backfield with a lot of guys.”
Tennessee’s offense has certainly put the Vols’ defense in a bind at times during head coach Josh Heupel’s career. Heupel likes to score in a split second. Defensive linemen like to rest. However, by sticking with Tennessee and not leaving for another school, these Vol defensive tackles may be a historical group that is a far greater sum than its individual parts. Given that the Tennessee-N.C. State game was televised in primetime with little competition from other high-profile games, the nation has taken note that the Vols can be elite defensively, as well as offensively.
“It feels great for us to get that recognition,” Eason said. “I feel like we’ve been one of the better units or defensive teams in the country and what not. It feels good, but we have just got to keep working and continue to get better and turn whatever they are talking about now into elite status. There is always room for improvement.”
Stanford transfer Jaxson Moi seems to be the latest to the party. He was a part of three tackles against the Wolfpack and could end up as one of Tennessee’s better defensive tackles, which would be no easy feat considering the Vols have so many good ones.
“He doesn’t surprise me at all,” Eason said. “I’ve seen him go to work since the spring and all of fall camp. He’s helped me with some things on my game. I’ve taken some stuff from his game to add to mine, so I’m not surprised at all.
“Jaxson’s a dog. He works real hard. He’s very polite, very down to earth, but when you put the hammer down in between them lines he is a whole different person. (His) whole mentality changes, so I’m not surprised at all from Jaxson.”
With that outlook, maybe not playing as much isn’t so bad after all.
