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Tennessee Football: The Vols’ defense is a bit more impressive than people think.

By Colby Howell

Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) and Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo (1) talk with Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Ryker Fyfe (17) after a near sack during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) and Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo (1) talk with Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Ryker Fyfe (17) after a near sack during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium at halftime during the game between Tennessee Volunteers and the Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium at halftime during the game between Tennessee Volunteers and the Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

JUNIORS:

This is where the Tennessee football defensive line will shine…provided everybody stays healthy.

Shy Tuttle, Jonathon Kongbo, Kyle Phillips, Quay Picou, Paul Bain, Alexis Johnson and Khalil McKenzie Jr.

That’s a list that includes three former five-stars, two former four-stars, and a three-star who has begun to emerge with Picou.

It’s time they all stepped up as well.

Concern lies with our first listed. Shy Tuttle is a guy that should help the middle at defensive tackle, biggest question is can he stay healthy? After two consecutive season-ending injuries in 2015 and 2016 (both on the right leg/ankle) his toughness is subject to doubt.

Johnthon Kongbo has a lot of maturity issues and has yet to fully live up to his hype. He will be heavily depended upon to collect himself and lead the defense. Let it be known his pick-6 against Mizzou was a great preview of his athleticism. What else is he capable of?

By moving back to end full time, he and Darrell Taylor make for a strong combination if they both reach their hype.

Though Kahlil Mckenzie Jr. went down with an upper body injury against the Tide in 2016, he’s still powerful and is fully expected to wow the fans throughout next season. He was beginning to break out before that happened. Joining Tuttle in the middle should finally make for a lethal combination if they can both stay healthy.

Quay Picou has unshakeable confidence, and he had his own transformation into a spring breakout star according to Cody Pace of SEC Country.

Alexis Johnson was a four-star junior college transfer last year who never got into proper football shape after legal issues held him back in the summer. But he should be back to full strength this year, which is a huge deal.

Then there’s Kyle Phillips. Joining Taylor and Kongbo, he had a lot of hype at defensive end as a former five-star recruit. But he spent last year recovering from a season-ending injury as a freshman and then missed the spring to recover from another injury. If he can get fully healthy, he, Taylor, and Kongbo could make a lethal combination on the outside.

Paul Bain is a walk-on defensive tackle who did see some action last year for the Vols and did impress some coaches, so if needed, he could provide depth.

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