Tennessee football: 4 improvements Vols need to make for SEC play

2 of 5

KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Kai Locksley #1 of the UTEP Miners looks to pass with Defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers pressuring during the second half of the game between the UTEP Miners and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 15, 2018, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-0. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

No.4 – Faster pass rush

Switching schemes isn’t easy; it takes time. But, at some point don’t you want to see athleticism take over and see an explosive defensive line? Former Vol Derek Barnett didn’t need a specific play call or scheme to help him disrupt Cam Robinson. I meant the offensive lineman trying to block him.

More from All for Tennessee

Maybe it isn’t fair to compare the 2018 defensive lineman to Derek Barnett; he was a first-round draft pick. But, surely they can make a little bit more noise than they have so far this season. The Vols have only registered five sacks on the year.

That output puts them around 75th or so in the nation. How does five sacks stack up to other SEC teams?

Auburn – 11

LSU – 10

Mississippi State – 10

Alabama – 9

Vanderbilt – 9

Florida – 8

Maybe sacks aren’t the best way to correlate a faster pass rush, but it unquestionably shows the Vols aren’t getting to the quarterback. In fact, they have only had ten quarterback hurries in three games.

One thing the SEC as a whole is much improved on this season is quarterback play, so the Vols have to improve rushing the passer.

Home/Vols Football