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Tennessee football: Five Vols to watch vs. Mississippi State

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: Ty Chandler #8 of Tennessee Volunteers runs into the end-zone to score a touchdown against Georgia State Panthers during the first quarter of the season opener at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: Ty Chandler #8 of Tennessee Volunteers runs into the end-zone to score a touchdown against Georgia State Panthers during the first quarter of the season opener at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Defensive Back. Shawn Shamburger. 4. player. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Junior

Here’s an interesting stat for you. The Mississippi State Bulldogs have allowed 11 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss on the year. Of those, seven tackles for a loss have come from players in the secondary, and five of the 11 sacks they have allowed, nearly half, have also come from defensive backs on opposing teams.

Cornerback Ty Williams of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles had two sacks against MSU, and Michael Jacques III of the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, Brandin Echols of the Kentucky Wildcats and Jeremiah Dinson of the Auburn Tigers all had one. Jahron McPherson of the Kansas State Wildcats and Smoke Monday of the Auburn Tigers each had a tackle for a loss.

Simply put, regardless of who is playing quarterback, Joe Moorhead’s offensive system is conducive to allowing secondary players to come up big in the backfield. The guy best fit to do that for Tennessee football is Shawn Shamburger. Don’t discount his quiet production this year.

For the season, Shamburger has two tackles for a loss and a sack already. Henry To’o To’o and Daniel Bituli will be key to stopping the overall balance of the offense, but Shamburger, who has proven himself as the nickel guy this year with Baylen Buchanan hurt, has the necessary diversity to make the big plays. So he will be key in this game, and that could be a bit of a surprise.

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