Tennessee defensive lineman Rodney Garner demands perfection, and he’s going to tell you all about it if you don’t give it to him. So naturally, everyone that plays under him is going to have ‘Coach G’ getting after them at some point in time. Some more than others, especially in periods of roster transition. That’s what Tennessee has going on this offseason.
Garner told the media on Wednesday that his defensive line group has been inconsistent so far this fall camp, which isn’t all that surprising considering the amount of veterans that have exited the program over the last couple of seasons. Bryson Eason, Dominic Bailey, Jaxson Moi, Joshua Josephs have all played out their eligibility, while guys like Caleb Herring and Jordan Ross hit the transfer portal. That means a lot of new faces, both out of the portal and younger guys still developing, will be ones Tennessee has to lean on this fall.
So far it’s been a couple of guys out of the portal, along with a veteran presence, that have impressed Garner.
“(Xavier Gilliam) and Norman probably have been the most productive guys,” Garner said. “That hasn’t changed. Weathersby has had a pretty consistent camp. There’s guys that flash, just guys who had good days, just guys had bad days, and we just got to continue to stack good on good, and continue to grow. I mean, we can’t take two steps forward and then take a step back.”
Gilliam has been a standout since arriving from Penn State back in the winter. With Tennessee searching for guys that can create pressure, Gilliam will likely give them some disruption from the interior. Tulane transfer Jordan Norman was suddenly pressed into a primary role at LEO following the Chaz Coleman situation.
“If we had to assess us at this point in fall camp, they have probably been our most— two most productive guys out there consistently,” Garner continued. “Those two young men have got to be able to help us. They’ve shown flashes where they can help, and they can be very effective in this league, and we’ve got to continue working on the little things.”
Tyree Weathersby, who Garner also mentioned, has gotten some buzz as well. He’ll be stepping into a much bigger role this season with Tennessee counting on him to eat up plenty of snaps.
“Tyree has had, I would say a pretty good camp, but still just consistency,” Garner said of Weathersby. “Taking that next step as a leader. We do see improvement in this game. Obviously, we’re expecting much more out of him than what he’s been expected in the past and just a truly rotational type guy. You know, we need for him, Nate Robinson and X Gill to take on those leadership roles, and the same thing for Jordan Norman.”
Tennessee will obviously also need a guy like Daevin Hobbs to really step up and show out. Nathan Robinson as well. Garner will also need meaningful snaps from younger guys like Ethan Utley, Marion Dye and Isaiah Campbell. A freshman like JJ Finch could also get into that mix.
The defensive front remains a bit of a question just three weeks out from the season beginning. Their first true physical test against Georgia Tech in week two will be very interesting to see.