6’3″ 249 pounds; Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.
It’s safe to say the Vanderbilt Commodores’ defense is a disaster due to all the missing talent. We already mentioned the defensive backs, Randall Haynie and Maxwell Worship, being out. Well, it’s worse for the front seven.
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Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, who led the team with 5.5 sacks and 8 tackles for a loss, is opting out. Linebacker Michael Owusu is also out along with defensive linemen Rutger Reitmaier, Daevion Davis and Derek Green. That leaves linebackers Anfernee Orji who leads the team with 53 tackles, 20 of which were solo, and Andre Mintze, who only has 18 tackles, 9 of which were solo.
With Odeyingbo gone, Mintze will have to step up as the best pass-rusher. Given Tennessee football’s issues at protecting the quarterback, that makes the Philly guy the most important player. He is second on the team in sacks with 2 and in tackles for a loss with 4.5, meaning he can definitely be a playmaker off the edge. He also has a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The Vols’ biggest issues in blocking have been running backs picking up blitzes and Darnell Wright whiffing on the right side. As a result, the product of Imhotep Institute in Pennsylvania should have a chance at a field day.