Tennessee football’s top five performers through first half of season
![Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) runs the ball after a successful catch during a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) runs the ball after a successful catch during a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/235ded5ff8756566889771fb83ffaf68f0ce061762fcaeb47e7d763bfde5242c.jpg)
Scouting Report. Linebacker. Sophomore. 3. player. 839. Pick Analysis. Henry To'o to'o
6’2″ 225 pounds; Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.
Captaining an already young inside linebacker group as a young player yourself is a daunting task. However, Henry To’o To’o has taken the role in stride and just may be the most important piece to Tennessee football’s defense.
He doesn’t have the most gravitational tackling numbers, and it’s clear to see that he, and the entire Vols’ secondary and linebacking corps for that matter, have some work to do in terms of coverage. Still, To’o To’o has provided a spark all season and makes himself known when he’s on the field.
With 33 tackles on the year, he lands second on the team and at the No. 14 spot in the SEC. To’o To’o is on pace to break the 64 tackles mark he reached in last year’s regular-season as a freshman with two fewer games on this year’s schedule.
So far, To’o To’o’s best game is hard to distinguish. In terms of pure defense, he logged a career-high 11 tackles against the Georgia Bulldogs and also registered his first career solo sack in the Vols’ loss to the Kentucky Wildcats.
On the other hand, who can forget his pick-six in the opener against the South Carolina Gamecocks? A game that the Vols only won by four points making To’o To’o’s effort that much more important.
As this season progresses, it will be interesting to keep an eye on No. 11 on UT’s defense. Will he surpass his 64 tackles as a freshman? Could he crack the top-10 in conference tackling leaders in just his second year in Knoxville? Those are things to look out for in the second half of the season.