Tennessee football at Florida: Five key Gators

6’2″ 196 pounds; Hometown: Riviera Beach, Fla.

Although the focus on Tennessee football is usually stopping the run, elite defensive backs have a huge role to play as well. Josh Heupel will take shots downfield and over the middle, looking for the big play, and avoiding Kaiir Elam will be key to doing that.

The cornerback is easily Florida’s best playmaker in pass defense right now. He has the team’s one interception this season, and he also leads them in pass deflections with three. From a physical standpoint, he does have eight tackles, four of which were solo, so he can hit as well, and that’s a big deal against a Heupel offense.

All three of Elam’s pass deflections came last week against Alabama as well, so he has shown he’s able to step it up in the big moments when he’s most needed. Simply put, Elam’s clutch, a playmaker and a physical cornerback. He has all the tools necessary.

Now, one advantage Tennessee football has is no clear go-to receiver, so they could find ways to avoid Elam throughout the game. If they can do that, it would be ideal. Elam is an elite talent and will likely only get better as the season goes on. With accuracy issues from Rocky Top’s quarterbacks, he could be destined to cash in Saturday if the Vols aren’t careful.