In 2016, the Tennessee Volunteers had one of the worst run defenses in all of college football. The Volunteers under highly-praised defensive coordinator Bob Shoop allowed on averaged 218 yards per game, not exactly what the Vols were expecting or hoping for.
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That was despite the Volunteers having one of the best defensive players in the country on their team and a strong defensive line in general. Entering the 2017 season, Tennessee will be without some of their top players from last season on both sides of the ball. It got worse for the Volunteers when it was announced top linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr would be out for the season with a torn meniscus.