Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner is in the 2nd season of his 2nd stint with the program, hired in 2021 as part of Josh Heupel’s initial staff in Knoxville after originally coaching the Volunteers’ tight ends and offensive tackles in the 1990s.

Garner is looking for improvement from a unit that finished 8th in the SEC in both rushing yards allowed and in sacks. And one player, in particular, has stood out with the Vols in the midst of preseason camp ahead of Sept. 1’s opener against Ball State.

“If we had to vote on who was probably the most improved guy in that room it would definitely be Dominic Bailey,” Garner said on Monday, according to Rocky Top Insider. “He’s gotten better. He really has. He’s flashed, he’s shown that he’s going to have an opportunity to help this team.”

While the 3rd-year player, a former 4-star recruit, has recorded limited stats since his arrival on campus, Garner hopes that 2022 turns into a breakthrough campaign for Bailey.

“I think his body has changed. I think his mentality has changed. He’s a little bit more talented than I thought,” he said. “Maybe that just came in the strength with the weight program and the maturity and all that. Maybe him just getting more comfortable in the system we’re running too. He’s been able to flash a lot more.”