Last season, injuries crippled the Vols’ defensive line and it was hard to see the unit’s full potential without some of the expected contributors on the field. By the end of last year’s regular season, Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle were both out with injuries along with a handful of others.
This season, both players are expected once again to be contributors on the Vols’ defensive front as the defensive line tries to build depth that they were missing last season.
“I would like to roll 10 guys through a football game up front,” defensive line coach Brady Hoke said on Sunday.
The defensive side of the trenches aren’t the only ones who will be fighting the injury bug, however. On Friday, it was announced that right tackle Chance Hall will be out for the season with a knee injury.
Hall’s injury will cripple the offensive line, but they are used to adapting to playing without him as he missed seven games last season. His absence will test the offensive line’s depth at tackle.
“Things happen, especially up front,” offensive line coach Walt Wells said. “We got to do a great job of staying off the ground and making sure we don’t get hurt anymore.”
Defensive line standouts: With much of the leadership in the defensive line leaving last year, players are already beginning to step up and fill those gaps this fall camp. After just seven days of camp, Hoke identified Darrell Taylor and Kendal Vickers as the biggest standouts along the defensive line so far.
Vickers, who has been known as one of the hardest workers on the team, has continued to grow as a senior as he leads the defensive line unit.
“With being a senior and a guy who has a lot of pride in his performance, I think he has really pushed himself,” Hoke said. “His leadership has been outstanding.”
Taylor, a redshirt sophomore, played in only eight games last season and is yet to have a start but is showing leadership along the defensive line each day.
The continued emergence of Taylor bodes well for the defensive line, who will be looking for defensive ends to replace first round pick Derek Barnett and Corey Vereen.
Kyle Phillips and Jonathan Kongbo are the other defensive ends who will likely see the field a lot this season, but they’ll likely need some freshman to come along for depth.
“The one thing with freshman is you have to bring them along slow, but we have to put as much pressure on them as we can,” Hoke said.
Shy Tuttle coming along: Shy Tuttle’s season ended early last season with a knee injury and he has been brought along slowly so far through camp.
While Tuttle’s availability for the season opener is still unknown, it’s looking like the junior defensive tackle is getting closer to game readiness.
“The one gratifying thing is he does a little more everyday,” Hoke said. “Where that puts him I’m not sure. I’m not a doctor or trainer, but I’m happy with how he’s jumped in and pushed his self.”
Vols still deciding on a starting five: Offensive line coach Walt Wells is letting everything play out along the offensive line and doesn’t plan on naming a starting five anytime soon.
Several players are being moved around right now as they try to identify the best starting five.
“As we settle in getting into game week on that Monday we should know where we’re at,” Wells said.
Deciding on a starting five won’t be easy, especially with the loss of Hall. As of now though, Wells envisions more than five guys getting significant playing time, something the Vols have not been able to say in the past few years.
“I think we’ve got seven to nine guys that can play,” Wells said. “There’s some other guys that haven’t, but we got to them ready to go and get them in position to do that.”
