Tennessee dropped its SEC opener Saturday night on the road at Florida, 38-14.
The Vols started strong thanks to a pair of long touchdown passes from Hendon Hoooker to Tiyo Evans and JaVonta Payton. Tennessee trailed by only three at halftime before the Gators dominated the second half behind their rushing attack.
If you need a reminder on how Pro Football Focus works, read the opening of the Bowling Green grades.
Let’s see how the Vols graded out.
Elite grade = 90-100, All-Conference = 85-89, Starter = 70-84, Backup = 60-69, Replaceable = 60 >
Offensive Grades (minimum of 20 plays — 30% of offensive plays)
RB Jabari Small — 71.5 (31 plays)
WR Velus Jones Jr. — 70.9 (27 plays)
WR JaVonta Payton — 68.5 (56 plays)
RB Tiyon Evans — 66.4 (37 plays)
TE Jacob Warren — 63.7 (32 plays)
WR Jalin Hyatt — 56.3 (50 plays)
RG Jazontez Spraggins — 55.o (68 plays)
WR Cedric Tillman — 53.0 (65 plays)
RT Cade Mays — 51.2 (68 plays)
QB Hendon Hooker — 50.9 (57 plays)
OG Jerome Carvin — 49.9 (68 plays)
C Cooper Mays — 46.6 (50 plays)
LT Darnell Wright — 42.3 (68 plays)
Tennessee definitely tightened its rotation on offense Saturday night as the least amount of Vols qualified for PFF Grades. Some of that came with the offensive line being healthier but Tennessee definitely shorted its rotation.
The Vols skill players continue to grade out the best with a pair of running backs and receivers cracking the top four. I don’t understand why Velus Jones Jr. doesn’t play more snaps, he impresses in most opportunities he gets and while he’s listed as a co-starter, Payton and Tillman frequently double his snaps.
I was surprised by Hendon Hooker’s grade being that low. Given the pass protection he was given most the night, I thought he played well. Joe Milton, who completed two-of-eight passes after Hooker was injured, graded out 60.7.
Defensive Grades (minimum of 20 plays — 30% of offensive plays)
DE Tyler Baron — 91.7 (26 plays)
DT Matthew Butler — 71.2 (51 plays)
LB Aaron Beasley — 68.5 (52 plays)
CB Alontae Taylor — 68.3 (53 plays)
DE Ja’Quain Blakely — 68.1 (41 plays)
LB Solon Page III — 66.0 (29 plays)
DT LaTrell Bumphus — 64.1 (35 plays)
STAR Theo Jackson — 63.0 (68 plays)
DE Roman Harrison — 62.6 (28 plays)
FS Jaylen McCollough — 61.1 (71 plays)
CB Warren Burrell — 57.6 (71 plays)
SS Trevon Flowers — 54.8 (70 plays)
DE Caleb Tremblay — 54.4 (20 plays)
DT Elijah Simmons — 49.7 (36 plays)
LB Jeremy Banks — 42.5 (42 plays)
Two guys who played 19 snaps Saturday. Byron Young graded out with a 56.2 and Juwan Mitchell graded out with a 47.5. Tennessee’s starting linebackers to begin the year, Banks and Mitchell were the Vols two worst defenders according to PFF. Backups Aaron Beasley and Solon Page III turned in solid performances.
Tyler Baron continues to impress this season. He missed some time due to injury Saturday night but add him to the list of guys who I think need more snaps. He’s been the Vols most consistent defender this season.
As a whole, Tennessee’s defensive lien continues to grade out as the Vols’ best position group.
