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Tennessee football’s top five performers in 52-49 win vs. Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) makes a catch during Tennessee's game against Alabama in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Kns Ut Bama Football Bp
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) makes a catch during Tennessee's game against Alabama in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Kns Ut Bama Football Bp /
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Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel congratulates Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel congratulates Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Darnell Wright. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Offensive lineman. Senior. 4. player

No sacks allowed

Honestly, the entire offensive line was elite. Gerald Mincey and Jeremiah Crawford did a great job protecting Hendon Hooker at left tackle. Cooper Mays anchored an interior line that actually won the rushing battle for Tennessee football against Alabama, something nobody would have predicted coming into this game.

However, nobody stood out like Darnell Wright. Coming into the game, Wright had the monumental task of containing Will Anderson Jr., a transcendent defensive player who usually lines up opposite the right tackle as an edge rusher. Wright won the day.

Anderson assisted on a tackle for a loss and had just one solo tackle. He was largely a non-factor, and that had everything to do with what Wright did on him. In addition to that, Wright help keep Hooker up all game, and he was another reason the running game was so effective.

Wright is the only player on the Vols who was a five-star across the board on the recruiting trail, and he is low-key living up to that right now. The past two weeks, he has truly emerged as an elite NFL prospect. Although the one sack UT allowed was on the right side, it wasn’t his fault. He was nearly perfect on the day.

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