Even though Tennessee’s offense is expected to be strong again this season, the defense should be worth watching.
When you think about Tennessee football now, the first thing that springs to mind is their offense. Since Josh Heupel arrived in Knoxville, the scheme he implemented has helped the Volunteers become one of the best teams in the country on that side of the ball.
Unsurprisingly, there’s little doubt why Tennessee football has been on a recruiting spree over the last month. However, those are future players. Currently, one of Heupel’s top prospects is poised for a breakout season in his first year as a starter.
That guy, of course, is quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a former consensus five-star prospect who Heupel brought to Knoxville last season. Iamaleava appears to be the first of several highly regarded quarterbacks to wear orange and white throughout Heupel’s reign.
Given what Heupel transformed former Virginia Tech, now Detroit Lions backup, Hendon Hooker into in his final season with Tennessee football — a Heisman Trophy finalist prior to his season-ending injury — there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about Iamaleava’s potential this year.
With everyone focused on Iamaleava, some are overlooking the rest of this year’s Volunteers team. The Volunteers’ defense could be the defining factor in where they finish in the 2024 season.
Tennessee football will be remembered for their defensive line in 2024
The x-factor that isn’t Nico Iamaleava falls on more than one player. It applies to the whole Tennessee football defensive line, led by junior James Pearce Jr., who is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. McElroy noted the loss of ten defensive backs from last season, but emphasized that this turnover may not be as significant as it appears, given the secondary’s inconsistency last year.
Even Greg McElroy, a college football pundit and former Alabama quarterback, believes Tennessee’s defensive line could be the best in the Southeastern Conference this season. However, it is not just about one guy like Pearce; the Volunteers have depth and talent throughout the lineup. Players like Elijah Simmons, Omari Thomas, and Omarr Norman-Lott bring flexibility and strength, making this team a strong force in the conference.
That doesn’t even include Bryson Eason, who ESPN designated as Tennessee football’s X-Factor this season. The redshirt senior has quietly turned into an important contributor for the Volunteers, not to mention having a fantastic fall camp thus far. In his four years in Knoxville, he has made 50 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks. With all of the attention on Pearce and others, Eason may be able to have a significant impact as a member of the defensive line’s interior this season.
Tennessee football’s defense has improved the last three seasons
Again, with so much emphasis on the attack, the defense receives less attention, even if it improves with each season. Since Heupel came over as head coach, his defensive coordinator, Tim Banks, has consistently improved that side of the ball with each season.
In Banks’ first season at Tennessee, the defense ranked 90th in the country. They grew exponentially in 2021, placing 37th according to Sports Reference.
Last season, the Vols finished 32nd in total defense, 22nd in scoring defense, fourth in tackles for loss, 42nd in third-down conversion rate, and tied for first in defensive touchdowns. And that improvement has been powered primarily by a deep and talented defensive line that appears to be at or near its prime this season.
