Tennessee football's defensive secondary could be dominant this season

Tennessee football's defensive secondary has held back the Vols more often than it has pushed it forward since Josh Heupel was named the head coach in 2021. 

It has been a process, but Heupel and defensive coordinator Tim Banks have slowly upgraded the secondary to the point where they won't hurt the Vols nearly as much as in previous years. 

Vols fans saw this last year as Jermod McCoy and the secondary made plays to keep them in the game and allow the offense to find its footing throughout the year. 

While Tennessee's offense could struggle again this year, with its third quarterback in as many years, the defensive secondary could take another step towards being one of the best groups in the SEC. 

Tennessee's secondary, at least according to EA Sports' College Football 26, could be Tennessee's best secondary in the Heupel era. 

Jermod McCoy headlines the group as a 94 overall in the upcoming college football game. The rest of Tennessee's expected secondary is currently rated in the 80s and could be moved up higher as the season approaches. 

Rickey Gibson III and Boo Carter are each rated an 87 overall, and you could argue that Carter's rating could or should be higher.

Tennessee's secondary will be without its star, McCoy, to start the season due to an injury suffered in January. Once he is back and at full strength, the Vols secondary could be dangerous for the first time in the Heupel era. 

We will see how the Tennessee secondary fares in its opening game against Syracuse, the Vols' first Power Four challenge of the season. They will play in Atlanta, Georgia, in the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off, scheduled for August 30 at 12:00 PM ET.