Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop schemes against opposing running backs for a living, but this week it’s a little different.

“I love Ralph Webb. I recruited Ralph. I fought for Ralph when choosing between him and another running back,” Shoop said Monday, per the Knoxville News Sentinel. “He’s a great kid. He’s a hard worker.”

Shoop was defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt from 2011-13 under former coach James Franklin, who he followed to Penn State for two seasons. Webb, a junior, signed in 2013 and redshirted that fall. The Commodores ball-carrier has 208 carries for 1058 yards on the season, an average of 96.2 yards per game (No. 5 in the SEC).

This will be Shoop’s first time on the other side of the rivalry. He said the familiar faces in Nashville extend beyond Webb.

“Yesterday when I started to review Vanderbilt some of the names were familiar obviously, and then I was able to go into the offensive staff room and review some of the defensive players, many of which I recruited or had previous relationships with, so it’s going to be different,” Shoop said. “Certainly I had three incredible years in Nashville and at Vanderbilt. A lot of the players I recruited I think are going to be having their Senior Night probably. But I am really very, very focused on trying to help us get our ninth win, trying to get us to the next step.”

Tennessee takes on Webb and the Commodores on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.