Tennessee football stock report after Week 3 of 2022

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) gets the catch over Akron cornerback Jalen Hooks (29) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, September 17, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn. Tillman left the game after this play with a lower body injury.Utvakron0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) gets the catch over Akron cornerback Jalen Hooks (29) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, September 17, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn. Tillman left the game after this play with a lower body injury.Utvakron0917 /
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Tennessee wide receiver Squirrel White (10) smiles as he runs off the field during Tennessee’s football game against Akron in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.Kns Ut Akron Football
Tennessee wide receiver Squirrel White (10) smiles as he runs off the field during Tennessee’s football game against Akron in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.Kns Ut Akron Football /

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Freshman offensive speed players

Building off of Squirrel White’s 47-yard reception Saturday, Tennessee football had two speedy sill players on offense who were generating a lot of hype in the offseason. White was one of them. In addition to that catch, he also had a 23-yard punt return, and had he not just gotten tripped up late, he would have broken it for a score.

Meanwhile, after Jabari Small went down, Jaylen Wright had to take over as the Vols’ feature back in this one. He did his job, but that created an opening for Dylan Sampson, who had eight carries for 57 yards and a touchdown. Sampson and White drew a ton of praise as true freshmen expected to make a splash in the offseason. Are they starting to do that?

Defensive tackles

It’s largely been due to schemes, but against their two MAC foes, the Vols’ haven’t made much of a splash on the defensive line. All their statistical damage was done in mop-up duty over the weekend, as Bryson Eason had a sack. However, lost in that is where the defensive line was effective and has been this year.

Akron ran it 24 times for 35 yards. They couldn’t really generate anything because of the pressure up front. Combine that with all the pass deflections and hurries the unit spurred at Pitt, and this group is playing fine. Omari Thomas and Kurott Garland are doing their jobs, so watch out.