WATCH: Tennessee promotes impressive play, buy-in level from Vols senior defensive line
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The first season of the Jeremy Pruitt era has been about as up and down as many expected heading into the season. The defense has found a way to make enough plays to put the team in position to battle for a bowl berth following the win over Charlotte but the team still requires two additional victories to become eligible for postseason play.
Arguably the most crucial aspect of Tennessee’s success on defense has been the senior defensive line, led by the play of Kyle Phillips, Shy Tuttle, Alexis Johnson and Paul Bain. Both Phillips and Tuttle have even registered interceptions in recent weeks, and all four linemen are playing the best football of their careers in Pruitt’s defense under the direction of DL coach Tracy Rocker.
Rocker and his linemen are featured in a new video which was released by Tennessee’s VFL Productions.
“I like playing for him, he’s one of those coaches you want to do everything you can for,” Tuttle says regarding Rocker in the video.
If Tennessee does get to a bowl game, that success will likely come as a result of these linemen leading the way against Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt to close out the season.
"Our effort just shows a lot and then when other people see that, it kind of gets contagious."
The Tennessee Defensive Line is the oldest unit on the team, so their leadership is crucial. They embrace that role.#PoweredByTheT pic.twitter.com/f4SNYO0X6N
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 5, 2018
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
