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Tennessee football week 3 stock report: Vols suffering on line of scrimmage

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Kai Locksley #1 of the UTEP Miners throws the ball as defensive lineman Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers defends during the first quarter of the game at Neyland Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Kai Locksley #1 of the UTEP Miners throws the ball as defensive lineman Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers defends during the first quarter of the game at Neyland Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images /

Stock up

Running Backs

Jeremy Banks did have a fumble, but that’s something you could attribute to youth. Overall, the Tennessee football running backs were amazing against the UTEP Miners. The noticeable thing about this unit is now one of the four main guys has stood out at one point on the season, and that’s a big deal.

Banks was one of the key players in the Vols’ win over the ETSU Bucs. Tim Jordan was THE player in their loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers. On Saturday, back from injury, Ty Chandler was the star with an 81-yard touchdown run and over 150 rushing yards overall. Madre London added 74 rushing yards, standing out as the power back. Overall, these guys have combined for 643 yards and seven touchdowns through three games, averaging nearly 215 yards a game and five and a half yards a carry.

Linebackers

Up to last Saturday, it was just about Darrin Kirkland Jr. alone. He was picking up the 3-4 defense more quickly than anybody and finding ways to stand out. But against the UTEP Miners, the rest of the Tennessee football linebackers stepped up as well, even with Quart’e Sapp injured. It started on the inside with Daniel Bituli and Will Ignont both making key plays at different times, while Bituli led the team in tackles.

Then, the outside linebackers finally came to life. Despite no sacks, Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor both had two quarterback hurries. Deandre Johnson also came in and had a tackle for a loss. So the unit overall showed a complete game, and with Kirkland already playing well, the stock of this group overall is now very high.

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