Nov 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores corner back Andre Hall (23) attempts to tackle Tennessee Volunteers running back Marlin Lane (15) during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. The Commodores beat the Volunteers 41-18. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-US Presswire
From Nooga.com
"When the season opener comes around, Tennessee will trot out 11 starters on defense it can feel pretty good about in terms of experience.Based on the initial depth chart released before spring practice, six defensive starters are seniors, three are juniors and two are sophomores.But behind a veteran starting unit, there is plenty of youth, and with that youth comes plenty of questions. That’s why finding depth is one of the big objectives this fall for new defensive coordinator John Jancek“You’ve got to have depth to consistently have great energy and effort on the field – that’s critical,” said Jancek, who is making his return to the SEC after last coaching at Georgia in 2009.Coaches and upperclassmen have been somewhat reserved about their praise of any specific freshmen, but Marquez North is playing well enough to change that.“He’s doing big things out there,” Brewer said of North. “He’s a big receiver with a lot of speed, so I’m pretty impressed with him.”"
From the Clarksville Lead Chronicle
"It’s a wince-worthy number every Tennessee defender should know: The team’s total number of sacks in 12 games last season.The average came to 1.42 per game. That ranked 98th in the country.Junior Jacques Smith knows the numbers. He’s also ready to move past them. The Ooltewah native played JACK linebacker in last season’s listless 3-4 defense, but is shifting back to his natural spot at defensive end in new defensive coordinator John Jancek’s 4-3 defense.“It’s all simple,” Smith said. “We go out there, we get the call — it’s only one call — and then we’re going and we can do whatever we want.”"
From Go Vols Xtra
"Brandon Powell, a three-star athlete from Deerfield Beach, Fla., is staying close to home.A verbal commitment to Tennessee, Powell pounced on an offer from his hometown team, switching his commitment to the Miami Hurricanes late Saturday night.Powell’s departure leaves 23 committed players in the Vols’ 2014 class, including four or five wide receivers.Powell was listed as an athlete and was projected to be everything from a running back to a receiver to a cornerback in college.But while the Vols saw him as more of a slot receiver, the Hurricanes are apparently giving him a chance at running back."
From the Times Free Press
"Daniel McCullers has heard it all.Two days before the Tennessee defensive tackle even stepped on the field for his final college training camp, his coach dubbed him the make-or-break player for the Volunteers’ defense.The challenges a first-year coaching staff heaped on their largest player have been replaced by the burden of expectations.And McCullers knows about them.“Here’s the thing about Dan: He’s listening,” defensive line coach Steve Stripling said after Saturday afternoon’s practice. “He’s taking it all in. We’ve come closer. We’ve spent more one-on-one time together.“Coaching is like teaching: There’s buttons to push on different kids, and everybody’s got a different approach for teaching. You just have to man-to-man talk to him. That’s the best way, because he’s listening and he’s taking it in.”"
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