6. Can more help at defensive tackle emerge?
With Shy Tuttle and Kahlil McKenzie on the shelf this spring due to injuries, there will be plenty of opportunities for some others to emerge. The coaches know what veteran senior Kendal Vickers can do, so look for a lot of the reps to go to players such as Alexis Johnson, Quay Picou and Paul Bain – all of whom could help in the defensive tackle rotation in 2017. Tennessee learned the hard way in 2016 that you can’t have enough defensive tackles, so expect new defensive line coach Brady Hoke to try and have at least five or six guys ready to go at this spot in 2017.
