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Tennessee football’s top five performers in 31-26 loss to Ole Miss

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Matthew Butler (94) runs past Mississippi Rebels offensive lineman Nick Broeker (64) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Matthew Butler (94) runs past Mississippi Rebels offensive lineman Nick Broeker (64) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee defensive lineman/linebacker Byron Young (6) sacks Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2)Mississippi defensive back Jalen Jordan (2)NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 16, 2021.Utvom1016
Tennessee defensive lineman/linebacker Byron Young (6) sacks Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2)Mississippi defensive back Jalen Jordan (2)NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 16, 2021.Utvom1016 /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Edge rusher. 4. player. Junior. Byron Young. 839

2 TFLs, 1 PD, 7 tackles (5 solo)

Honestly, the whole defensive line deserves credit. It got pressure on Matt Corral all night and forced him to make tons of errant throws. Although Corral ran for 195 yards and torched Tennessee football on the ground, that has a lot more to do with the play of the linebackers than it does the defensive line.

When it comes to the pass rush, nobody did what Byron Young did on the night. The guy was all over the field and made plays that don’t even show up in the stats sheet. To be fair, Tyler Baron would’ve been the one on this list if the refs actually did their job and didn’t retroactively blow a Baron strip-sack return for a touchdown dead due to forward progress on Corral.

As it is, Young was the one who stood out among the edge rushers. Late in the game, with the Vols still trailing 31-26, Young made what should have been the game-saving plays. He forced Corral to take a rush for no gain on a designed rollout by reading it well, and then as Corral came out, he deflected a 3rd down pass by Luke Altmyer.

The result was a stop that got UT the ball back with a chance to win late, but they couldn’t convert. That was the drive with the short fourth down spot that resulted in fans throwing debris all over the field. Young did his part, though and belongs on this list.

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