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Tennessee football report card in 52-24 loss at Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) and Tennessee defensive back Kenneth George Jr. (5) react after recovering a fumbled ball by Alabama during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp
Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) and Tennessee defensive back Kenneth George Jr. (5) react after recovering a fumbled ball by Alabama during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp /
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Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) and Tennessee linebacker William Mohan (18) tackle Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp
Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) and Tennessee linebacker William Mohan (18) tackle Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp /

Defensive grades

Defensive line: A-

It’s hard to overstate just how great Matthew Butler and Byron Young played in this game. Butler got the push up front, and Young got the big plays and hurries, although Butler was huge on that front as well. Those two guys were Tennessee football’s best defenders and really kept the Vols in it late. Lack of depth is the only thing that cost this unit in the fourth quarter.

Linebackers: F

Bryce Young isn’t mobile like Matt Corral, but he still had 42 yards two touchdowns on the ground. That’s because for a second straight week, linebackers couldn’t get off blocks. Aaron Beasley had maybe the worst PFF grade of any Vol this year, scoring under 30. Jeremy Banks had 12 tackles (6 solo) but also struggled and committed another bad penalty. This unit was awful again.

Defensive backs: C+

Cornerbacks were actually pretty solid. Kamal Hadden also helped this unit by making a big play with his forced fumble. However, safety play by and large was horrible. Linebacker play caused that, as they had to cheat up more, and then they got beat over the top a lot in the fourth quarter, most notably allowing a 65-yard completion from Young to Jameson Williams on 3rd and 15.

Overall defensive grade: D+

You can’t allow two 100-yard receivers and an immobile quarterback to rush the way Young did and expect to have an even average grade. The linebacker and safety play alone drug down the whole unit. Giving up 52 points, 45 without the help of another unit, is not good.

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