Tennessee football: Five questions for Josh Heupel at 2022 SEC Media Days
1. What steps have been taken to improve the pass defense?
Related Story. Projecting Vols' two-deep depth chart for 2022. light
While the offense was the star of the show last year, the defense was a major issue. In particular, Tennessee football’s pass defense created problems. The Vols were No. 124 in passing yards allowed, and while lots of that was due to tempo and in increased number of possessions, they were still out of the top 70 in yards allowed per pass attempt.
Meanwhile, they lose their best cornerback in Alontae Taylor and their nickel in Theo Jackson, both of whom were selected in this year’s NFL Draft. We got a glimpse of what the Vols might look like without Taylor, as they got torched by the Purdue Boilermakers through the air in the Music City Bowl, and it creates even more concerns.
Lots of talent is returning, and Heupel added three transfers: Andre Turrentine and Wesley Walker via the portal and Dee Williams via junior college. However, will that be enough to address the issues that are combined with the departures? If not, what will Heupel do to address it?
10 greatest single seasons by Vols players of all time. dark. Next
The cautious optimism surrounding Tennessee football will be thrown out the window if the pass defense continues to struggle. In a league loaded with quarterbacks for the first time ever, the Vols can’t afford to struggle defending the pass. Linebackers were as much of an issue, as they struggled with quarterback containment. All of that needs to be fixed by the fall.