Tennessee Football: Five Vols to watch for at Georgia

5’11” 190 pounds; Hometown: Irmo, S.C.

For the last two seasons of Tennessee football, no one has been better at getting their hands on the ball defensively than Bryce Thompson. In both his freshman and sophomore campaigns Thompson registered three interceptions for six total in his career.

Thompson has also logged nine passes defended over his last two seasons, tied with former Tennessee defensive back Nigel Warrior for most over that stretch, and he didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage last year. Through two games this year Thompson has brought down nine ball carriers and is yet to register a pass defense or interception.

While an interception isn’t something you can just wish up in the game of football, there couldn’t be a better time this season to snag one. The anticipated starting quarterback of the Georgia Bulldogs, Stetson Bennett, is yet to throw an interception through two weeks of play.

If Thompson, who historically has found himself in situations to intercept passes, can get his hands on an errant Bennett toss, the results would be game-changing. While it’s important for Tennessee’s pass rush to pressure Bennett, the Vols’ secondary needs to keep receivers like Kearis Jackson, George Pickens, and Jermaine Burton locked up downfield.

A couple drops last week from Missouri receivers turned blown coverage into no harm no foul. The Vols’ secondary won’t get away with the same mistakes against UGA’s receiver group. No matter who Thompson is lined up against on Saturday, look for him to get his hands on a couple of throws and make Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett think twice about throwing his way.