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Tennessee football vs. Tennessee Tech: Five Golden Eagles to watch for

By Caleb Calhoun

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 07: A Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles helmet on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 07: A Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles helmet on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Footballs lay on the field before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Footballs lay on the field before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Josh Reliford, DB

Senior; 5’10” 200 pounds; Hometown: Fitzgerald, Ga.

If there’s a bright spot for the Golden Eagles this year, it’s in the secondary. TTU has playmakers all over the field. While Devin Squires is their leader in tackles for a loss with two and a half, Tai Carter isn’t far behind with two tackles for a loss. Jamal Boyd and Nyquan Washington are rising stars at the position as well, and they deserve a shoutout.

The proven star, there, though, is Josh Reliford. Like Chris Tucker, he was All-Ohio Valley preseason first team this year, and for good reason. Reliford is all over the field playing from the secondary, and he can give Tennessee football a ton of trouble.

Since transferring out of Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and joining TTU in 2019, Reliford has been a starter at strong safety. So far this year, he leads the team with three pass breakups, and he also has 16 total tackles, six of which were solo. After being more of a physical player the past couple years, he’s been elite in pass coverage so far this year.

Next. Tennessee-Tennessee Tech: 10 keys to the game. dark

Given Tennessee football’s questions at quarterback, the passing game could be an issue on Saturday. As a result, the Vols will have to continually keep an eye on Reliford. After all, the guy is a playmaker in every way, and given the fact that he had two interceptions last year, he could be dangerous for UT.

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