Tim Banks breaks down Tennessee’s depth at safety

Tennessee was very nearly a playoff team a year ago, despite fielding one of the nation’s worst passing defenses. The Volunteers are hoping improved depth at safety can begin to help shore up the secondary.

It’ll need to be better, because the offense is having to contend with replacing starting quarterback Hendon Hooker, who was quite good a year ago.

“We feel like we got some guys. I think we have really good depth there,” defensive coordinator and safeties coach Tim Banks said. “Obviously we don’t have a guy that has played as many snaps as (Trevon) Flowers had played the year before outside of [Jaylen “Tank” McCollough] but we think collectively we have a good group of guys to work with and we’re excited to watch those guys play and perform.”

Tennessee finished ranked 127th nationally in passing defense in 2022, giving up an eye-popping 289.5 yards per game through the air.

It’s going to be a tough ask to contend for the SEC East, let alone the College Football Playoffs unless those numbers are shored up significantly. The Vols defensive coordinator broke down two of the more veteran players in the room, the best of Tennessee’s depth at safety.

“I think it starts with Tank, Tank’s obviously played a lot of football for us around here,” Banks said. “Wesley Walker played a ton of snaps last year as well for us at some star, at some safety.”

McCullough ranked second on the team with 59 tackles a year ago, starting 11 contests. He also recorded 4.0 tackles for a loss, broke up two passes and had three quarterback hurries.

Walker, meanwhile, piled up 36 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, an interception, four pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

They’ll be the veterans anchoring the unit, but Banks is high on the overall depth at safety thanks to the emergence of a few others.

“Jourdan Thomas is a guy who was a special teams guy who did a tremendous job for us last season that we think will be able to help us,” Banks said. “Christian Charles has rotated in from corner to safety to star. … And Andre Turrentine, we feel like he’s got a chance to be able to help the team.”

Tennessee will debut its new-look secondary in the season opener on Sept. 2 against Virginia.

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