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Tennessee football edge rushers 2022 preview: Vols’ biggest defensive advantage

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee’s Byron Young is seen at Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 0850
Tennessee’s Byron Young is seen at Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 0850 /
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Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Byron Young (6) on the field during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Byron Young (6) on the field during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Returning starters at edge rusher

Byron Young 

  • 6’3″ 245 pounds
  • Senior
  • Georgetown, S.C. (Carvers Bay High School)

Very few people have the level of hype Byron Young has this year for Tennessee football. A junior college transfer from Georgia Military College, eligibility issues kept Young off the field in the first two games. He didn’t see action until against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles and didn’t become a starter until against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Still, even with that short amount of time, Young became an explosive playmaker. He finished the year tied with Jeremy Banks as the team leader in sacks with five and a half and tackles for a loss with 11.5, and he also had two pass deflections, an interception in the Music City Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers and 46 total tackles, 20 of which were solo.

Young ended up playing 399 snaps, more than any other edge rusher despite coming in late, and his 75.6 PFF regular season grade last year was the highest of any defender who is back. That didn’t count the bowl game, where his grade undoubtedly went up with his play.

There’s a reason Young is the only first team All-SEC player from Rocky Top heading into this season. He has All-American potential, and if he can do what he did last year given the rocky start, imagine what he could do with a whole year to himself to make an impact.

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