3. Will Brooks
Once again, lots of playmakers for Tennessee Football could fit the mold that we gave Will Brooks the torchbearer award for. Andre Turrentine came away with an interception and had the highest PFF grade of any Vols defensive back after struggling severely against the Florida Gators just three weeks ago. He deserves a shoutout.
Although Rickey Gibson III had a penalty, he and Jermod McCoy remained elite lockdown cornerbacks. Boo Carter proved his worth with multiple open-field tackles, as he continues to show himself to be a rising superstar for the Vols, one with a ton of speed who embraces physicality at the same time.
However, Brooks gets the award because of the big play he made. Kentucky, trailing 14-10, was driving in the second half, but Gavin Wimsatt threw an interception to Brooks, which he returned to the red zone. Of course, with any speed that would have been a touchdown, but Brooks had one of the key plays to set up a touchdown for the Vols.
In addition to that interception, Brooks also knocked down a pass, and like the other safeties and linebackers, he had a difficult task having to go against two quarterbacks on the night, one of whom is a dual-threat. As a result, while players like Turrentine get the shoutout, Brooks is the torchbearer.
NEXT: Torchbearer #2 – Joshua Josephs
