Tennessee football vs. Ole Miss: Five key Vols to watch for against Rebels
Defensive back. Jaylen McCollough. player. Pick Analysis. Junior. 3. 839. Scouting Report
6’0″ 205 pounds
Given the fact that both teams are expected to move the ball at will throughout the day, the team that can force the first turnover on either side will have a huge advantage. In Tennessee football’s case, Jaylen McCollough is their best bet at forcing a turnover.
McCollough has three interceptions on the year and has come away with one each of the past two weeks. Alontae Taylor is the only player on the team who has forced multiple turnovers, as he has an interception and a forced fumble on the year. He’ll be the most important player when it comes to actual coverage and forcing incomplete passes.
However, this game is all about big plays on both sides of the ball, and that’s where McCollough comes in. Given the fact that McCollough has two and a half tackles for a loss, he has multiple ways he can be effective at strong safety, and that’s crucial as well.
Theo Jackson or Brandon Turnage could have made this list, but we’re not entirely sure who will see the bulk of the action at nickel. We know that McCollough has the strong safety spot locked up, and given what he’s done already this year, that makes him the obvious defensive back to make his way onto this list.