Tennessee vs. Western Carolina: Five Vols to Watch for vs. Catamounts
Jan 2, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) runs for a first down as he tries to elude Tennessee Volunteers defensive back LaDarrell McNeil (33) in the third quarter of the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field. The Tennessee Volunteers beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 45-28. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Against Oklahoma, Kelly returned and picked up two interceptions while also having the secondary play a heck of a lot better. But he got gassed at the end and then got hurt in overtime, and the next time the Sooners had the ball they scored what turned out to be the game-winner easily.
All of this means one thing: the Vols really want LaDarrell McNeil back. The veteran strong safety adds depth at the position with Kelly back healthy now, and together they allow for a solid rotation with McNeil expected to transition into a starter.
McNeil in pads will be a beautiful site Saturday, and he will be needed against an up-tempo offense while also getting some reps under his belt as well. This is the perfect tune-up game for him to be back, so watch out.
" >
2
LaDarrell McNeil
Safety, Senior
This is the best piece of news anybody in Vol Nation will have had since the loss to the Oklahoma Sooners that took place Saturday night. The issues in the secondary have been a headliner since the first game of the year against the Bowling Green Falcons, but it all comes down to McNeil, who is expected back on the field Saturday.
The veteran safety appeared as if he would be done for the year, so this is a huge shock. But two weeks ago, without him and then without Todd Kelly Jr. as the backup, there were too many issues at strong safety for the secondary to overcome, and it resulted in Emmanuel Moseley and Malik Foreman getting torched too often.
Against Oklahoma, Kelly returned and picked up two interceptions while also having the secondary play a heck of a lot better. But he got gassed at the end and then got hurt in overtime, and the next time the Sooners had the ball they scored what turned out to be the game-winner easily.
All of this means one thing: the Vols really want LaDarrell McNeil back. The veteran strong safety adds depth at the position with Kelly back healthy now, and together they allow for a solid rotation with McNeil expected to transition into a starter.
McNeil in pads will be a beautiful site Saturday, and he will be needed against an up-tempo offense while also getting some reps under his belt as well. This is the perfect tune-up game for him to be back, so watch out.
Next: #1: Kyle Phillips