Youth will need to step up and fill in the gaps at defensive tackle for Tennessee following the injury to Daevin Hobbs.
Tennessee defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs will miss multiple weeks with a foot injury as Volquest first reported last week. Hobbs did not take part in Friday’s second and final scrimmage of fall camp as the injury occurred earlier last week.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was asked Tuesday when he met with the media what the depth looks like at the position now with Hobbs sidelined.
“Yeah, those guys have done a really good job. You look at where they were in January when they got here, the player that they were in spring ball and then the growth of what they’re doing here in training camp,” Heupel said on Tuesday. “Ethan Utley, explosive, playing twitchy at the line of scrimmage, doing a good job at the point of attack. Isaiah Campbell, wide hip but strong explosive power. Both those guys continue to grow in a really good way.”
The junior was one of the Vols top three defensive tackles entering his third year along with seniors Bryson Eason and Jaxson Moi. Last season, Hobbs recorded 20 tackles including 2.5 for loss and a sack. He has dealt with injuries since he arrived on campus. He has had surgery on both shoulders in the off-season from high school injuries.
In Hobbs’ absence, Tennessee will likely turn to freshmen Ethan Utley and Isaiah Campbell. The Vols also have junior college defensive tackle Jamal Wallace, Grand Valley State transfer Josh Schell and redshirt freshman Nathan Robinson, who has struggled to stay healthy since his arrival on campus.
Before the Hobbs injury, defensive line coach Rodney Garner spoke on then challenges of coaching things to freshmen as they try and create lasting routines.
“Well, I think the transition from high school to college, it always is going to come down to the tempo of practice. And then the level of competition, they’re playing against 200-pound offensive linemen in high school, those guys don’t exist. Just the level of competition, the strain that’s involved,” the defensive line coach said said. “It’s just like we were talking yesterday, they can never become great and stay comfortable. So, they got to get themselves comfortable being uncomfortable right now so they can be comfortable later. So those are the things that I am trying to put into them, put them in difficult situations, so strain them so that good stuff can come out. Because that’s when the good stuff comes out, when you put them in pressure situations. But, you know, I’m really excited about the three young guys. All three of them are long, they’re athletic. I think they have a really good skill set and I can see those guys having a role and being able to contribute in a positive way.”
Tennessee opens the season on August 30 in Atlanta against Syracuse.
Category: General Sports
