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Tennessee football at Pitt: Five Panthers to watch for against Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Kedon Slovis (9) of the Pittsburgh Panthers prepares to handoff the ball during the first half of the Backyard Brawl against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 1, 2022.Pitt Vs West Virginia Backyard Brawl
Kedon Slovis (9) of the Pittsburgh Panthers prepares to handoff the ball during the first half of the Backyard Brawl against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 1, 2022.Pitt Vs West Virginia Backyard Brawl /
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Sep 25, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers assistant head coach Charlie Partridge (right) talks with defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) against the New Hampshire Wildcats during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers assistant head coach Charlie Partridge (right) talks with defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) against the New Hampshire Wildcats during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Pick Analysis. 2. Calijah Kancey. player. 866. Scouting Report. Defensive lineman. r-Junior

6’0″ 280 pounds

Yes, defensive playmakers for Pitt are the key to stopping Tennessee football, and nobody is more crucial on that front than Calijah Kancey. Last year, Kancey was second on the team in sacks with seven, only to Habakkuk Baldonado, and he actually led the team in tackles for a loss with 13, which went along with his 33 total tackles, 23 of which were solo.

Against the Vols, Kancey had a sack and a hurry. He had two solo tackles in the game, so he was a threat on his own. Although UT wants to be able to establish the run, Kancey’s ability to make plays despite being 20 pounds below 300 is going to be a huge issue for Josh Heupel.

Already, Kancey is showing his value, as he had a tackle for a loss and two hurries against WVU. He also had five overall tackles, three of which were solo. As a result, he’s just picking up where he left off last year, and that could be a huge problem for Josh Heupel’s offense on Saturday.

This is what makes the interior of the Vols’ offensive line so crucial. If they are going to establish the run as needed, they need to keep Kancey in check. He may be undersized, but he’s a deadly weapon, and they have to be able to contain him to take control of this game. As a result, he’s a key player for them to watch out for.

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