Tim Banks calls defensive line ‘tip of the spear’ for Tennessee

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks is entering his second season with the Volunteers and is looking to take another jump this year. Banks, a Broyles Award nominee last season, was recently asked about how the rotation of his defensive tackle position would look the season, but also touched on the entire defensive unit.

“That’s obviously one of the key positions, and not just defensive tackle but defensive line in general. You talk about being able to play more guys, I think that’s a spot in particular where you want to make sure that you’re able to rotate those guys and not have any drop off,” Banks said.

Banks returned a lot of his big contributors from last season up front, naming some familiar faces that will make an impact up front not only individually, but as a whole.

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“The usual suspects between Bump [LaTrell Bumphus], between Elijah [Simmons], DJ [Da’Jon Terry], those guys will be able to come in, Prime, all of those guys I think will play a significant role with us. I don’t think there’ll be much of a drop off between who’s in who’s out, I think all of those guys collectively have had a really good camp thus far and once again we’re looking froward to watching those guys preform Thursday.

Banks and the Volunteers know the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage and for most of last season they led the nation in tackles for loss. This equated to success on the defensive side of the ball as a whole last season. Tennessee looks to set the tone up front next Thursday in their season opener at home versus Ball State.

“Because the reality of it is we’ll go as far as our front goes, and those guys know that, everybody has a job to do on every single play. But those guys are the tip of the spear, and those guys have worked really hard and we’re anxious to see them show it on Thursday night,” Banks said.