All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Five key Vols to watch for at Pitt

By Caleb Calhoun

From left, Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), Head Coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Hendon Hooker (5), and Offensive Analyst Mitch Militello stand before the Pride of the Southland Band as they perform “Tennessee Waltz” after a win in the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
From left, Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), Head Coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Hendon Hooker (5), and Offensive Analyst Mitch Militello stand before the Pride of the Southland Band as they perform “Tennessee Waltz” after a win in the NCAA college football game between the Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) during Tennessee football practice on Wednesday, August 17, 2022.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp
Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) during Tennessee football practice on Wednesday, August 17, 2022.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp /

Junior. Omari Thomas. 3. Scouting Report. Defensive lineman. 839. Pick Analysis. player

6’4″ 320 pounds

While Trevon Flowers needs to be there to make sure Kedon Slovis doesn’t burn Tennessee football deep, the Vols’ defensive line will be how they can stop Pitt’s offense. Defensive tackles often rack up more stats against Pitt than average, and they have to be there to make sure Pitt can’t run the ball.

The minute this team can get balance, it’s unstoppable. Thomas can make sure that doesn’t happen. Against Ball State, Thomas had four tackles. He also batted down a pass, which can also be crucial, as that was a strength of his last year. Knocking down balls at the line of scrimmage could really keep Pitt’s passing game from taking off.

Last year, Matthew Butler had one and a half tackles for a loss against Pitt. He had seven tackles for a loss, three of which were solo. WVU’s Dante Stills, another defensive tackle, had one and a half sacks, two tackles for a loss and six tackles, two of which were solo, last week.

Stills also had a quarterback hurry. Simply put, while Byron Young and Tyler Baron are the star playmakers at edge rusher, and while Aaron Beasley stood out against Ball State, Thomas is the guy who will make it all go against Pitt. As a result, he’s their most crucial defender.

Home/Vols Football