Tennessee football: Top five performers in Vols 34-7 loss to Kentucky

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Oct 17, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee defensive players signal a fumble as Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson (0) comes out of the pile with the ball during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 17, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Sophomore. Henry To'o To'o. player. 839. Linebacker. 2

8 tackles (4 solo); 2 TFLs; 1 sack

Now, before we go too far, Henry To’o To’o was not perfect in this game. He once again struggled in coverage like all of Tennessee football’s inside linebackers in the second half, and that allowed the Kentucky Wildcats to bring balance to their offense. After that, they began to run the ball well on the Vols’ defense also, and a lot of that falls on To’o To’o.

However, he didn’t have much help. Quavaris Crouch and Jeremy Banks still have issues in coverage. The safeties are still struggling to contain the slot. Then, inexplicably, the defensive line stopped getting a push in the second half. When you take all that into account, To’o To’o was limited in what he could do.

That still doesn’t change how To’o To’o did everything to keep the Vols in the game in the first half. He had a crucial third down sack on Kentucky’s first drive, which got the Vols the ball in solid field position. They couldn’t capitalize on that, but that’s not To’o To’o’s fault. This was a theme throughout the early part of the game.

Later, with the game still scoreless, To’o To’o also sniffed out a designed run by Terry Wislon. He single-handedly got him for a two-yard loss, which brought up 3rd and long and allowed the Vols to get the ball back. That was all nullified by Jarrett Guarantano throwing his first pick-six on the next drive, but To’o To’o did what he could early on.

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