Tennessee football vs. Bowling Green: Five Falcons to watch

MANHATTAN, KS – SEPTEMBER 07: A general view of a Bowling Green Falcons helmet during the first half of a game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)

6’0″ 230 pounds; Hometown: North Olmstead, Ohio

Yes, there are two linebackers who make this list. One is a transfer who could wreak havoc off the edge. The other is probably the Bowling Green Falcons’ most proven returning player outside of maybe Sam Neverov, but as we mentioned, he’s not playing.

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Last year, Darren Anders had a breakout season. He registered four and a half tackles for a loss, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and 55 tackles, 25 of which were solo. By the way, this was all in just five games. The guy was a force to be reckoned with, and he’s definitely the leader of the defense for Scot Loeffler heading into this year.

A graduate of North Olmstead High School in Cuyahoga County, where Cleveland is, Anders is one of those area players who truly will give his all for BGSU. There’s a reason he is making every preseason All-MAC first team list possible, and he’s the only player on this team to do so. Simply put, he’s the biggest star they’ve got and should explode as a junior.

From a matchup perspective, this doesn’t seem like a huge deal for Tennessee football. However, the Vols have to account for an opponent’s best players regardless of matchups at times, and in this case, that would be Anders.