Tennessee football: Top 10 games in 2021 by Vols returning for 2022
player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Linebacker. Missouri. Jeremy Banks. 3. 839
4 tackles (4 solo); 1 sack; 2 TFLs; 1 INT
Yes, three key players stood out against Missouri, and two are back. Jeremy Banks joins Hendon Hooker on that list. Banks also stood out against Pitt with a sack, two tackles for a loss and eight tackles, five of which were solo. Against Purdue, he had two pass deflections, two and a half tackles for a loss, a sack and 20 tackles, 10 of which were solo.
However, this performance was his masterpiece. Although he had only four tackles for Tennessee football, all of them were solo, and he made every big play you could make for the Vols. They also came at key times to help UT build its blowout lead in the first half.
The first came on the opening drive of the game. Banks sacked Mizzou for a 14-yard loss to draw a 3rd and 21, which allowed Rocky Top to force a three-and-out. Later in the quarter, Banks intercepted a pass and ran it back to inside the five, which set up the score to put the Vols up 28-3, assuring they would remain in control.
This was the best defensive performance of the year for the Vols. Solon Page III was the only other linebacker who came close on the list, as he had three tackles and a pick-six against Tennessee Tech, but the big plays Banks made against Missouri still wins pretty easily.