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Tennessee football’s top five performers in 45-42 win at Kentucky

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel celebrates a touchdown by Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football
Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel celebrates a touchdown by Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football /
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Tennessee defensive lineman/linebacker Byron Young (6) defends against Kentucky tight end Justin Rigg (83) during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football
Tennessee defensive lineman/linebacker Byron Young (6) defends against Kentucky tight end Justin Rigg (83) during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Junior. 839. Defensive end. Byron Young. 3. player

2 sacks, 4 overall tackles (3 solo)

Just as Tennessee football was desperately struggling to get off the field, Byron Young came through in a huge way. Throughout the season, Young has been getting better and better. He couldn’t play early due to an eligibility issue as a junior college transfer, but he’s made the most of every opportunity since he first took the field against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.

In this game, Young had been relatively quiet all night. He and the rest of the Vols’ front seven couldn’t buy a stop. Early in the fourth, UT was clinging to a 38-35 lead, and Will Levis completed a 3rd and 8 to get Kentucky the ball at the Vol 44-yard line.

That’s when Young finally stepped up. On first down, he pulled a stunt where he lined up on the end but blitzed right up the middle, coming away with a sack to make it 2nd and 21. Kentucky fought back to bring up 4th and 7 and went for it. Young then came off the opposite side and generated a second sack for a huge stop.

Then came the end of the game. Kentucky had just converted a 4th and 24 and had a chance to win down 45-42. However, Young forced an incomplete pass by getting to Will Levis on first down and hitting him as he threw the ball. On 3rd and 10, Young forced another overthrow by pushing his blocker toward Levis. Kentucky was then stopped on 4th and 10.

Young’s play was responsible for two stands in the fourth quarter by the Vols’ defense. One was more obvious, as he got two sacks, but his hurries to force bad passes on the final drive were just as important. Those things put him on this list.

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