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Tennessee football: Five Vols who need to improve most during bye week

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a hand off from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a hand off from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

Defensive Lineman. Junior. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 839. Aubrey Solomon. 2

All of Tennessee football’s departures on the defensive line, from Kyle Phillips to Shy Tuttle to Alexis Johnson to even Paul Bain, always made it clear that the few returning defensive tackles with FBS experience would have to step it up. Once Emmit Gooden suffered a season-ending injury, all of that pressure was on Michigan Wolverines transfer Aubrey Solomon.

To be fair to Solomon, he wasn’t given the green light to play until the week of the season. And the 6’5″ 299-pound defensive tackle does have 12 tackles on the season. He also came away with a tackle for a loss against the Florida Gators, showing that he is slowly getting better and becoming a solid contributor. Jeremy Pruitt targeted him as a transfer for a reason.

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However, Solomon needs to do more. The defensive line has struggled to get pressure without blitzing, and that was brutal for them against UF for most of the day. Solomon needs to be the leader of a line that does bring potential with Greg Emerson, Darel Middleton and Savion Williams in the middle. We’re just saying that Solomon needs to be the biggest star.

So with this bye week, Solomon needs to spend his time taking another giant leap. The ends have begun to step up in LaTrell Bumphus and Matthew Butler. It’s the middle that needs the boost, and that starts with Solomon given his experience and the recruiting hype he once had. If he takes that leap, then the whole unit can improve.

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