Ranking Tennessee's defensive position groups for 2024

Tennessee's defense has been on a slow but upward trajectory over the last three seasons.

Under the direction of defensive coordinator Tim Banks, the Vols have been dominant up front in each of the last seasons while shoring up issues in the secondary despite bouts of inconsistency there.

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With some key pieces back on the defensive line and linebacker, Tennessee is in position for continued improvement in 2024, though it will need to still need some help from the back end to compliment the first and second levels of the defense.

Here is a look at the Vols' defense and where each position group ranks as spring practices loom.

Tennessee's defensive line has been the anchor on that side of the ball and should be again in 2024.

The Vols return most of their playmakers there, including James Pearce Jr. off of the edge and tackles Omari Thomas and Omarr Norman-Lott on the interior.

Pearce took major strides as a sophomore LEO, totaling 8.5 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss. He finished as the highest graded edge rusher in the SEC at 86.7 according to Pro Football Focus and has garnered plenty of NFL Draft buzz this offseason.

Thomas opted to return for a fifth season after accounting for a career-high 31 tackles and 4.5 TFLs as a senior and Norman-Lott was third on the team in sacks with 5.5 in his first season with Tennessee after transferring from Arizona State.

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The Vols have plenty of other options in the tackle rotations, too. Elijah Simmons returns after his best season at Tennessee despite missing time with injury and Bryson Eason brings experience. Daevin Hobbs should see more playing time too after an impressive freshman campaign.

At defensive end opposite Pearce, Tennessee lost Tyler Baron to the transfer portal but are in good shape there with Tyre West who had a strong outing in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa, recording 1.5 sacks and 1.5 TFL.

Incoming freshman Jordan Ross, a four star prospect in the Vols' most recent signing class, could also factor into the rotation while Joshua Josephs and Caleb Herring are capable reserves behind Pearce at LEO.

Tennessee seemed set at linebacker in fall camp with returning leading tackler Aaron Beasley and BYU transfer Keenan Pili headlining the group at the WILL and MIKE linebacker positions.

The Vols' defense was dealt a blow early when Pili was suffered a season-ending upper body injury in the season opener against Virginia and a number of younger players were thrust into bigger roles.

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That experience should pay off for Elijah Herring, who ended up starting the rest of the season in Pili's place. Though there was a learning curve, he finished with 76 tackles and should make for a solid backup to Pili.

Arion Carter, one of Tennessee's highly touted freshman in the 2023 class, also saw the field more than expected and made the most of it. He made 17 tackles and 1.0 TFL before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the last five games.

Carter could step into a starting role to make up for the loss of Beasley who exhausted his eligibility.

Jeremiah Telander had a strong freshman season, too appearing in 12 games and making 35 tackles and 2.5 TFL at MIKE. Kalib Perry adds depth and experience at WILL.

After a two month span marked by attrition, questions still remain for Tennessee's secondary.

The Vols lost seven players to the transfer portal, including STAR Tamarion McDonald, safeties Wesley Walker and Jack Luttrell and corners Brandon Turnage, Warren Burrell, De'Shawn Rucker and Doneiko Slaughter.

Of the losses, only two were starters in McDonald and Slaughter but their absences leave plenty of spots to with starting safety Jaylen McCollough and corner Kamal Hadden gone after running out of eligibility and corner Gabe Jeudy-Lally heading for the NFL Draft.

Tennessee used the portal to its advantage, too, bringing former Middle Tennessee State safety Jakobe Thomas and corner Jermod McCoy who is coming off a strong freshman season at Oregon State and brings three years of eligibility.

Like other positions on the defense, injuries allowed a number of underclassmen who saw the field last season to step into bigger roles.

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Rickey Gibson III could join McCoy in a starting corner spot as a sophomore while junior Jourdan Thomas could replace McDonald at STAR. Juniors Andre Turrentine and Thomas will likely start at the two safety spots.

Among the incoming freshman, four star Boo Carter could make for a reserve option at STAR alongside junior Will Brooks, who combined for 189 defensive snaps and one start following a late-season injury to McDonald last season.

Tennessee showed improvement in pass defense last season, going from 283.9 yards in 2022 to allowing 218.3 yards in 2023, which ranked top 50 nationally but there still needs to be more consistency, particularly on third down where the Vols gave up nearly 38% of opponent conversions.

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