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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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Tennessee defensive lineman/linebacker Tyler Baron (9) defends against Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell (16) at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee defensive lineman/linebacker Tyler Baron (9) defends against Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell (16) at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /

Returning backups at edge rusher

Tyler Baron

  • 6’5″ 260 pounds
  • Junior
  • Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic High School)

Before Byron Young arrived, Tyler Baron was Tennessee football’s starting edge rusher. That’s why he still played 395 snaps, only four fewer than young, as Mike Ekeler somewhat operates by-committed with a key starter. Still, while his role diminished, Baron was a major playmaker for the Vols last season.

He finished with seven tackles for a loss, four sacks, a pass deflection and 30 tackles, eight of which were solo. Now, there are some questions about him this year, as he did enter the transfer portal back in January before returning, but he’s clearly an elite weapon for Ekeler and Tim Banks. Josh Heupel and co. will need him.

Roman Harrison

  • 6’2″ 244 pounds
  • Senior
  • Bainbridge, Ga. (Bainbridge High School)

Like Baron, Roman Harrison was a regular contributor despite not being a “starter.” He saw action on 335 plays, and he actually seemed like the guy to push Young the most in spring ball. For the year in 2021, he three and a half tackles for a loss and a sack. However, he finished with 33 overall tackles, 18 of which were solo.

Taking that into account, there are some things that make Harrison a better outside linebacker than Baron in the purest sense of a linebacker. As a result, he may see even more action this year, and that could be a huge boost to the defensive schemes.

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