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Tennessee Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By David Rouben

Mar 23, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; Head Coach Butch Jones watches during Tennessee Volunteers football practice at Anderson Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mar 23, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; Head Coach Butch Jones watches during Tennessee Volunteers football practice at Anderson Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Apr 30, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Brady Hoke watches from the sideline before the game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

4. How Brady Hoke can fix the defensive line

Former Michigan head coach and Oregon defensive coordinator Brady Hoke was brought in as Tennessee’s defensive line coach for this season. He was part of a much larger overhaul that took place during the offseason. While he has plenty of experience at the college level, this is the first time he’ll be a positional coach since leading Michigan’s d-line in 2002.

Hoke must lead a front seven that’s in disarray. UT finished last season ranked No. 95 in the nation in total defense (allowing 449.2 yards per game), and No. 104 in rushing defense. They also have to deal with the loss of star defensive end Derek Barnett to the NFL.

It’s a tall task for someone in his first year, but he has the pedigree to turn this defense around. As we saw at Michigan, Hoke has a knack for finding talent. There’s no doubt he’ll try and maximize what he has available, and use the players coming in. After all, there is proven talent on Tennessee’s defensive line, but they’ve been set back with injuries.

Hoke might be the missing link for players like McKenzie, as well as Jonathan Kongbo, to unlock their true potential. And if they leave a good impression at the Spring Game, the Vols can feel confident heading into the season when they add Kyle Phillips.

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