Tennessee’s defensive line will appear completely different than it has in years due to the switch to a 3-4 multiple look. Stalwart defensive ends like Darrell Taylor and Jonathan Kongbo have made the transition to linebacker, leaving gaps to fill alongside the frontline.
A 3-4 defense requires big bodies along the defensive line, and instead of the traditional defensive tackles and defensive ends set up, it’s more of three defensive tackle-like bodies plugging gaps.
The Vols have three seniors that fit the mold that the 3-4 defense needs from its defensive line.
The most experienced is Kyle Phillips, a senior from Nashville, Tennessee. The three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member has eight starts under his belt, leading all of Tennessee’s returning defensive lineman.
Phillips has three career sacks and eight tackles for loss, another statistic that’s good for first among Tennessee’s defensive lineman. At 6 foot 4 inches, 273 pounds, his transition from a true defensive end to the inside may come naturally.
“Me being one of the most experienced guys on the team,” Phillips said at SEC Media Days. “It’s vital for me to step up as a leader.”
Senior Shy Tuttle projects as a nose tackle, meaning he will anchor the interior of Tennessee’s defensive line. Tuttle is the ideal space-eater, at 6 foot 3 inches, 300 pounds, and he has plenty of experience in the interior, where he’s spent all four years at Tennessee.
Tuttle’s stats don’t jump off of the page, due to the role he has played as a big-bodied run stuffer and battles with recurring injuries. With just 3.5 tackles for loss in his three years, his production may appear lackluster. However, film shows that he plays his part well.
“My legs are starting to feel good,” Tuttle said. “I just feel good.”
The third senior defensive lineman expected to lead the charge for Tennessee this season is Alexis Johnson Jr. The former JUCO transfer’s production for Tennessee has been hampered due to some off-field issues that led to his redshirting in 2016.
Last season, Johnson appeared in 11 games for Tennessee and showed flashes of potential in his limited time. Without any starts, Johnson was able to add two sacks along with 14 total tackles, a very efficient mark.
A newcomer expected to make an instant impact on Tennessee’s defensive line is JUCO transfer Emmit Gooden, a former Tennessee signee a couple of years ago that didn’t qualify to play.
Gooden was a key figure at his former school, Independence Community College. Last season, he had 81 tackles. 6.5 of those were for a loss. He earned NJCAA second-team honors due to his performance. At 6 foot 3 inches, 306 pounds, Gooden is likely to hold down the nose tackle position with Tuttle and will see the field early and often.
Another player to watch is walk-on Paul Bain. Bain became somewhat of a legend last season after blocking a game-winning field goal attempt against Georgia Tech in Tennessee’s season opening win.
This season, he will likely step into an even larger role as a walk-on. Pruitt recently said that Bain will play this season, although it remains to be seen how much.
“When it comes down to the last two minutes,” Pruitt said. “I like to have the best players on the field.”
