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Tennessee football: Ranking position groups by 2022 spring practice play

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive players perform drills during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee on Saturday, March 26, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 5 0532
Tennessee defensive players perform drills during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee on Saturday, March 26, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 5 0532 /
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Tennessee linebacker Byron Young waits for the next drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee on Saturday, March 26, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 5 0474
Tennessee linebacker Byron Young waits for the next drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee on Saturday, March 26, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 5 0474 /

4. Edge rusher

Last year, despite missing the first two games, junior college transfer Byron Young emerged as a superstar edge rusher for Tennessee football, tying for the team leader in tackles for a loss and sacks with 11.5 and five and a half respectively. He took the lead edge rusher role away from Tyler Baron and Roman Harrison.

Still, Baron and Harrison were highly productive. This offseason, Baron initially entered the transfer portal but then came back. Now they both bring expectations along with Young, and in the spring, they seem to have lived up to it. Young and Harrison dominated the open scrimmage, as they cashed in on the awful play of the offensive line.

Meanwhile, Elijah Herring was also part of this with his defensive touchdown. Despite being a linebacker, he played more on the outside at times, and he’s a guy who will bring versatility to the table more often as he develops despite not being a highly touted recruit.

Since those edge rusher linebackers are also the focus of Ekeler, what he said on this front is relevant too. Ekeler said Young and Harrison have the same character of guys he’s been around who turned out to be elite college and NFL players. That’s a huge compliment and it should serve the Vols well going forward.

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