HOOVER, Ala. — Tennessee needs to bounce back from a disastrous 2016 season defensively.

Injuries played a part in the second half of the season, but from an overall standpoint new coaches were brought in for a reason — to turn things around.

Bob Shoop fielded the 95th overall defense in college football in his first season as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator.

Even before injuries plagued the Vols’ defense, the unit placed Team 120 in large first-half deficits they were fortunate to escape in second-half comeback wins over Appalachian State, Virginia Tech, Florida and Georgia.

“We put ourselves in big holes,” senior defensive back Emmanuel Moseley said at SEC Media Days. “We found ways to win some games. Some games we didn’t, but we’ve learned from that, and we’ll do better this year.”

Tennessee gave up 230.2 yards per game (71st nationally) against the pass.

The worst part of Tennessee’s pass coverage was giving up 72 pass plays of 15-plus yards and 31 pass plays of 25-plus yards. Team 120’s defense gave up 15 plays of 15-plus yards through the air in the first quarter and 7 plays of 25-plus yards. In the second quarter, the totals were 21 and 8.

That’s one reason why Charlton Warren is replacing Willie Martinez as defensive backs coach this year. And so far, Moseley likes the adjustments the coaching staff is making.

“Coach Warren, that’s my guy, I like him,” Moseley said. “He brings a lot of details to the team, and that’s what we need. In my position, as a defensive back and as cornerbacks, we need to focus on the details that he brings to those. That’s something that we can be successful with for him.”

The staff change goes hand-in-hand with depth that Butch Jones has been able to build in the defensive backfield.

Jones believes competition will breed success, and that Tennessee will be in a better place if injuries occur again.

“Competition only makes people go harder, and it only betters people,” Moseley said. “We’re just trying to focus on each other, get each other better, help each other out, and when the time comes, we’ll handle it.”

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Moseley brings maturity and experience along with the speed to be a pressure-coverage guy in man-to-man schemes. He is ready to become a leader following Cam Sutton’s departure to the NFL. Playing in 39 games, starting 19, since his freshman season in 2014 signifies that this is his time to be a focal point for the defensive backfield.

“Guys that left, they just passed the torch down to us,” Moseley said. “We just have to fulfill that by going out there and playing as hard as we can. We have to do the things we didn’t do last year, and do them this year so we can be a great defense.”

Another element of stability for the defense is graduate-transfer Shaq Wiggins coming in from Louisville. Wiggins has experience playing in the SEC after beginning his collegiate career at Georgia in 2013. With the Bulldogs, Wiggins played in nine games as a freshman, recording two interceptions, one for a touchdown.

“I can see him as being one of the leaders on the team, an emerging leader,” Moseley said of Wiggins. “He’s a hard worker in the weight room. He’s a fast guy.”

2017 Tennessee defensive backfield

Marquill Osborne (5-11, 188, SO)
Maleik Gray (6-2, 191, FR)
Shaq Wiggins (5-10, 169, RS SR)
Rashaan Gaulden (6-1, 193, RS JR)
Justin Martin (6-1, 196, SR)
Cheyenne Labruzza (6-0, 188, FR)
Theo Jackson (6-1, 178, FR)
Emmanuel Moseley (5-11, 184, SR)
Shawn Shamburger (6-0, 191, FR)
Nigel Warrior (6-0, 194, SO)
Micah Abernathy (6-0, 203, JR)
Todd Kelly Jr. (5-11, 200, SR)
Terrell Bailey (5-11, 178, FR)
Baylen Buchanan (5-11, 185, SO)
Evan Berry (5-11, 205, SR)
D.J. Henderson (6-1, 183, RS JR)
MaLeik Gatewood (5-10, 190, RS SO)
Jake Powers (6-0, 193, FR)