Tennessee Football: Five Vols to watch for against Missouri
Junior. player. Defensive back. Alontae Taylor. 3. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
6’0″ 193 pounds; Hometown: Manchester, Tenn.
One of the most athletic players on Tennessee football’s roster, Alontae Taylor has the ability to shift momentum on any given play with his explosiveness and high football IQ. As one of the veteran players on the UT defense, the junior must continue leading by example when the Missouri Tigers visit Neyland Stadium.
When the Vols were trailing in the first quarter of last week’s game, Taylor shed a jet-sweep block and blew up the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage. The play knocked the Gamecocks out of field goal range and led to a South Carolina punt.
On the following Tennessee possession, the Vols marched down the field to tie the score, making Taylor’s play feel like a bit of a turning point. He’ll need to do more of just that.
Finishing last week with six total tackles and one pass defended, Taylor also served as the lead blocker for Henry To’o To’o’s pick-six. When he’s playing well and doing the little things right, he’s contagious. Other players feed off of his energy.
The effort and attention to detail that Taylor exhibited are big reasons the Vols were on the winning side of a game that probably could’ve gone either way. With that being said, who knows who will show up to play this week and who won’t? Tennessee needs the involvement and leadership Taylor displayed week 1 if they want to open the season 2-0.