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Tennessee football’s top five performers in 38-14 loss at Florida

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 25, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA;Tennessee Volunteers running back Tiyon Evans (8) runs with the ball as Florida Gators cornerback Avery Helm (24) defends during the third quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA;Tennessee Volunteers running back Tiyon Evans (8) runs with the ball as Florida Gators cornerback Avery Helm (24) defends during the third quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida Gators wide receiver Justin Shorter (4) hauls in a pass over Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) in the second half. The Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 38-14 Saturday September 25, 2021 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. [Doug Engle/GainesvilleSun]2021Flgai 092521 Gatorsvsvolsgatorwalk
Florida Gators wide receiver Justin Shorter (4) hauls in a pass over Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) in the second half. The Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 38-14 Saturday September 25, 2021 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. [Doug Engle/GainesvilleSun]2021Flgai 092521 Gatorsvsvolsgatorwalk /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defensive back. 2. player. Senior. Alontae Taylor. 839

6 tackles (5 solo); 1 FF

Honestly, Alontae Taylor didn’t have the best night in coverage. Justin Shorter did lead the team in receiving with three catches for 54 yards. However, Taylor still took him out of quite a few plays, and he still found ways to be effective, which is why he managed to make this list. There’s a reason he’s one of Tennessee football’s leaders.

In the second quarter, with the Vols trailing 17-14, they were still in the game. Florida had the ball, and Dan Mullen decided to go for it on 4th and 2 from the UT 32-yard line. Emory Jones found Jacob Copeland for a 17-yard gain. That’s where Taylor came in.

Taylor was in zone coverage, so it wasn’t his fault Copeland beat him on the catch. However, he made up for it, running Copeland down and getting hold of him. While Copeland was fighting for more yards, Taylor showed his physical side, as he stripped the ball out of his hands, and Aaron Beasley recovered. That was a key play that kept UT alive in the first half.

Even when he was struggling, Taylor still found ways to be effective. That’s enough for us to put him on this list, and him forcing the only turnover for either team in this game also has to count for something. His defensive play was one of the most crucial ones in the game to keep the Vols in it.

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