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Tennessee football: Five UAB Blazers to watch for against Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 28: Tyler Johnston #17 of the University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers hands the ball off to Spencer Brown #4 during the game against the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers on September 28, 2019 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 28: Tyler Johnston #17 of the University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers hands the ball off to Spencer Brown #4 during the game against the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers on September 28, 2019 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images /

3. Garrett Marino

Defensive Lineman; Senior

6’2″ 290 pounds

We’re back to the defensive line. And this is another defensive tackle who is cashing in on the major push Tony Fair is getting up front. Whether or not Fair deserves more credit is an adequate debate to have, but what’s clear is that Garrett Marino is taking advantage of the push up front for the UAB Blazers in a huge way.

Marino is displaying an oddly high amount of production for a defensive tackle. For the year, he has 23 tackles. But 17 of them are solo, good for third on the team. What he does with splash plays stands out even more, though. The guy has is tied for second on the team with six tackles for a loss as well, and he leads the team in sacks with five.

Oh, and he has two pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. This stat line is usually for those tall and freakishly athletic defensive tackles, such as what John Henderson did for Tennessee football at 6’7″ in 2000 and 2001. But Marino is doing this at 6’2″, and that’s incredibly impressive.

On Saturday, he will be another major focus for Jeremy Pruitt and the Vols. Brandon Kennedy has his hands full with Fair, but the guards, Trey Smith and whomever starts at right guard, have to be focused here. And at times, Wanya Morris and Darnell Wright will have to keep an eye on him. He’s going to be effective.

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