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Tennessee football 2022 LB preview: Everybody’s back, but is that good?

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Solon Page III (38) runs onto the field against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Solon Page III (38) runs onto the field against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee Linebackers Coach Brian Jean-Mary before the NCAA football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and South Alabama Jaguars in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 20, 2021.Utvsal1120
Tennessee Linebackers Coach Brian Jean-Mary before the NCAA football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and South Alabama Jaguars in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 20, 2021.Utvsal1120 /

Biggest questions

1. Which of the four contributors from last year will be pushed out of the rotation?

Last year’s rotation of Jeremy Banks, Aaron Beasley and Solon Page III only happened because of the injuries to Juwan Mitchell. Assuming Mitchell is back and fully healthy, he’s as much a crucial part of Tennessee football’s rotation. If Brian Jean-Mary goes three-deep again, that leaves him with a choice to make. Who will be the one left out? Pay attention to that.

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2. Will any of the newcomers work their way into seeing regular action?

Jackson Hannah stood out in the spring, and Elijah Herring was also an early enrollee. Add in Kalib Perry, and Jean-Mary has a lot of promising young talent to work with. Given the concerns about the starters, that makes for a great opportunity among the new guys.

3. How much has this unit improved in quarterback containment?

This was the one issue that kept the Vols linebacker’s PFF regular season grades low. Quarterbacks could always extend plays against them. They almost always had one of their best rushing performances against UT. Matt Corral had a field day running for the Ole Miss Rebels. Has Jean-Mary gotten the linebackers to improve on that? If not, there will be more defensive woes.

Final take

Everything really comes down to that last question. Tennessee football added new talent at linebacker, returns everybody and should benefit from Mitchell’s return to health. But much of the issues on defense came because the linebackers couldn’t contain the quarterbacks in the pocket.

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Although Banks is a major playmaker, that one issue has to be fixed. If the returners developed in that area, or if one or two of the newcomers actually brings that skill, they should be fine. Otherwise, this will once again be a major weak link in the unit. Expect Page or Beasley to see less time with Mitchell back as well.

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