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Tennessee Football: 10 Vols Most Deserving of 2016 Postseason Recognition

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) hits Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) causing a fumble recovered by Tennessee for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) hits Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) causing a fumble recovered by Tennessee for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Kendal Vickers (39) sacks Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) during the third quarter at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Kendal Vickers (39) sacks Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) during the third quarter at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /

Now this guy might be the most underrated Tennessee football player this year given what he had to deal with.

Due to injuries at linebacker and at defensive tackle combined with other guys refusing to move into the middle, Vickers was the one guy consistently tasked with keeping the interior defense competent so the ends could make plays.

With absolutely no help, he did all he could. A former undersized defensive end, Vickers is only a junior doing this.

But the 6’3″ 295-pound team guy became the only model of consistency for the Vols in the middle. Going up against two or three massive interior offensive linemen at a time, Vickers was the guy who freed up the Vols defensive ends to rack up stats.

And he came away with a few nice plays of his own, including 35 tackles, six tackles for a loss, two quarterback hurries, two and a half sacks, and a forced fumble.

Those are impressive numbers for a defensive tackle like Vickers who had no help. He also should be receiving All-SEC recognition, but he didn’t make enough sexy plays to do it.

As a result, he’ll fall under the radar with a chance to make a huge splash going into his senior year.

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