All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football 2018 recap: Vols postseason awards

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after an interception for a touchdown during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after an interception for a touchdown during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images
Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images /

Most improved player: Alexis Johnson Jr.

There were lots of Tennessee football players who were able to see a resurgence this year with Jeremy Pruitt at the helm on both sides of the ball. And given his system changes, it bodes very well for the future.

On defense, plenty of players we didn’t name could have made the list, most notably Darrell Taylor. But nobody thrived more in the new scheme than Alexis Johnson. A four-star junior college defensive tackle in the 2016 recruiting class, Johnson barely saw any action for two years under Butch Jones and Bob Shoop.

In mop-up duty, Johnson did show flashes in 2017 with 14 total tackles and two sacks. But his play was largely meaningless. This season, with Pruitt’s transition to a 3-4, Johnson had a case to be the best player on the team.

Lining up next to Shy Tuttle, Johnson registered 50 tackles in 2018 and had five tackles for a loss along with three sacks. He was a big play machine with a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry to go along with it. Throughout the season, Johnson also impacted plays by getting huge pushes on the line. He was able to help other rushers force fumbles and get sacks as a result, most notably with his role in forcing the strip-sack defensive touchdown against the Auburn Tigers.

Although Taylor registered way better stats overall, he was making big plays before this year, and Johnson was more consistent. That’s why we decided to give the senior the most improved player award. Johnson had a strong finish to the year and may have turned this season into an NFL career. Only time will tell, but he was brilliant for the Vols this year.

Home/Vols Football