All for Tennessee
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) tackles Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs (1) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) tackles Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs (1) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

839. Pick Analysis. Linebacker. r-Senior. player. Scouting Report. Jeremy Banks. 3

6 tackles (4 solo); 4 QB hurries

Despite no sacks, the defensive line deserves credit as a unit for generating a decent pass rush all day and closing off the run lanes most of the time. Although Tennessee football’s secondary struggled, they were three men down, suffered another injury in the game and were facing a Heisman quarterback. What more could you expect?

The guys expected to make the plays were always going to be the linebackers, and Jeremy Banks did just that. While Aaron Beasley seems better in coverage, Banks is a master at closing gaps in the run game and bringing pressure. Even without a sack, he was the best pass rusher on the day.

On both of the drives in the first half that Alabama had to punt, Banks was the reason. He set the tone on the first drive of the game, stopping a run and then bringing pressure to force an incompletion and subsequently force a punt. Then, on Alabama’s third drive, he brought pressure to force another incompletion on their own goal line.

Those three plays were gigantic in terms of the flow of the game, and they helped the Vols build a 28-10 lead. Sure, Alabama fought back, but that early tone was huge for the Vols to be able to stay in it late. Banks was the best defensive weapon on the field.

Home/Vols Football