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Tennessee football: Five Vols to watch for against Kentucky

By Dean Zulkofske

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Deandre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after forcing a fumble during the second half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Deandre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after forcing a fumble during the second half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 09: Deandre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after forcing a fumble during the second half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 09: Deandre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after forcing a fumble during the second half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Linebacker. Deandre Johnson. Senior. 1. player. 839

6’3″ 255 pounds; Hometown: Miami, Fla.

As Tennessee football prepared to face the Georgia Bulldogs last week, Deandre Johnson was the SEC sacks leader in what was easily the best start to a season in his career. He looked poised to replace Darrell Taylor.

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Johnson had two and a half  sacks in UT’s Week 1 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks and tacked on another when the Vols beat Missouri in Week 2. With Kivon Bennett on the other side, things were in great shape.

The formula seemed simple. When Johnson gets to the quarterback, Tennessee football gets the win. That plan went out the window Saturday when Johnson was ejected for targeting on Georgia’s quarterback Stetson Bennett in the first quarter of Tennessee’s loss.

Whether you want to argue the play was targeting or not, the bottom line is Johnson was removed from the biggest game of the season thus far. That can’t happen. Without Johnson on the field, Stetson threw for 238 yards, two touchdowns, and was only sacked once.

Looking ahead to this Saturday, Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Terry Wilson has already thrown for 463 yards this season. As a dual-threat quarterback, he’s also rushed for 221 yards and three scores. As a result, it’ll be important to hurry him.

Johnson needs to regain the reigns of Tennessee’s pass rush, pressure Wilson in the pocket, and force him to run up the middle where the likes of Henry To’o To’o, Jeremy Banks, and Quavaris Crouch should be waiting.

Next. Five takeaways from Vols' 44-21 loss at Georgia. dark

If Tennessee football wants to bounce back from giving up 44 points last week, they’ll need number 13 to be in the mix as often as possible. After watching last week’s loss from the sideline, expect Johnson to make up for lost time against the Kentucky Wildcats this weekend.

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