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Tennessee football: Top 10 players Vol have to face in 2020

By Caleb Calhoun

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 1: Wide Receiver DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide makes a catch during the game against the Louisville Cardinals during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. #1 ranked Alabama defeated Louisville 51 to 14. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 1: Wide Receiver DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide makes a catch during the game against the Louisville Cardinals during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. #1 ranked Alabama defeated Louisville 51 to 14. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

Pick Analysis. Defensive back. Alabama Crimson Tide. Patrick Surtain II. 8. player. Scouting Report. 829

Junior; Plantation, Fla.

While linebacker Dylan Moses had to suffer through a season-ending injury last year, the secondary stepped up. Patrick Surtain II, a Freshman All-American in 2018, was going to be a guy Nick Saban turned to for more help. He did just that, earning Honorable Mention All-American honors as a sophomore, and now he’s a preseason All-American as a junior.

As a result, Surtain is now the preseason star. The 6’2″ 202-pound graduate of American Heritage High School in Florida finished the season with 42 tackles, a tackle for a loss, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and eight pass deflections. Simply put, he was all over the field for Saban’s defense, and he’s going to have a big role to play for the Tide this year.

In two games against Tennessee football, Surtain had only three solo tackles. However, a mark of his play was not allowing big plays in coverage either, and he was as much part of that against UT as he was against anybody else. There’s a reason PFF College listed him as one of the four best cornerbacks in the nation entering the season. He’s truly that good.

Given Jarrett Guarantano’s history of struggling somewhat with accuracy, a guy like Surtain could take advantage. His ability to force turnovers in multiple ways is also a concern. As a result, Jeremy Pruitt and Jim Chaney will have to consistently keep an eye on him. With more experience and Moses back, he could definitely wreak further havoc this year.

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