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Tennessee football stock report after Week 4 of 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) before Tennessee’s football game against Florida in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.Kns Ut Florida Football
Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) before Tennessee’s football game against Florida in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.Kns Ut Florida Football /
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Sep 1, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) and defensive back Kamal Hadden (5) celebrate HaydenÕs interception against the Ball State Cardinals during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) and defensive back Kamal Hadden (5) celebrate HaydenÕs interception against the Ball State Cardinals during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock down

Cornerbacks

Nickel is included among the cornerbacks, and that’s important, as Tamarion McDonald is really low right now. He had an interception on Tennessee football’s first play from scrimmage, but there have been issues with him since, and he was awful against Florida, from getting beat in coverage to missing way too many tackles.

In general, though, without Warren Burrell, the cornerbacks were awful. Anthony Richardson threw for over 450 yards. Kamal Hadden got beat quite a few times, showing why he’s not the No. 1 cornerback. This was an issue in the offseason with Alontae Taylor gone, and it still hasn’t been resolved heading into the bye.

Situational defense

You could say the play of the cornerbacks had something to do with this, but the defense in general was awful in big situations. They allowed five out of six fourth down conversions. Two of those were runs. Meanwhile, they allowed seven of 15 third down conversions, one of which was a draw on 3rd and long.

Almost every time the defense had a chance to get off the field, it failed. This was a problem for Tennessee football all of last year, and it resurfaced in this game. It’s not clear if the Vols should be concerned about this going forward, but there are no encouraging signs yet.

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