Tennessee football: 5 toughest Vols to replace for 2019
Very few people had a breakout senior season the way Alexis Johnson Jr. did. Once a four-star junior college commitment, a legal issue kept him out of football shape for 2016. Then he struggled to stay healthy in 2017 with a coaching staff that mismanaged its personnel.
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Finally, in 2018, Jeremy Pruitt came in and installed the 3-4. And that is where Johnson thrived. The guy burst onto the scene and became one of the biggest playmakers for Tennessee football, being able to play either defensive tackle role.
He finished the year with six tackles for a loss, four sacks and even two interceptions. Many of the big plays made by the Vols on the year came because of the havoc Johnson caused up front, and you don’t just replace that.
Johnson was key in the Vols’ win over the Auburn Tigers with half a sack and a hurry that resulted in the forced fumble for a touchdown. He also contributed to another sack against the South Carolina Gamecocks and did his part.
As the biggest guy on the defensive line last year, UT has a lot of work to do to replace him. And it’s not going to be easy. Johnson carried a much bigger load than most people had to, and his breakout senior season is the Vols’ loss for the future.