Four Tennessee players make ESPN's ranking of the top-50 players in the College Football Playoff
Tennessee has four of the best 50 players in the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN. Running back Dylan Sampson was ranked the highest, coming in at No. 8 overall ahead of James Pearce, Joshua Josephs and Jermod McCoy.
Pearce was ranked No. 20, one spot ahead of McCoy, and Jospehs was No. 39.
Ohio State had six players ranked between No. 10 and No. 42, with quarterback Will Howard ranked 42nd. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was ranked No. 10, ahead of safety Caleb Downs at No. 19, offensive lineman Donovan Jackson at No. 23, linebacker Cody Simon at No. 29 and defensive end Jack Sawyer at No. 32.
No. 9 Tennessee (10-2) and No. 8 Ohio State (10-2) play in the College Football Playoff First Round Saturday night, scheduled for an 8 Eastern Time start on ABC and ESPN at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Sampson during the regular season set new Tennessee single-season records with 1,485 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns.
“Sampson has been the cornerstone of Tennessee’s offense,” ESPN’s Chris Low wrote, “and one of the more consistent running backs in the country.”
Pearce enters the playoffs leading Tennessee’s defense with 7.5 sacks and 11.0 tackles for loss, despite recording just half a tackle for loss and no sacks over the first three games of the season.
“After a slower start, mostly because of added attention from opposing offenses, Pearce played his best football down the stretch and leads all SEC defenders with 52 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus,” Low wrote. “… He has registered at least half a tackle for loss in eight straight games.”
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McCoy has been the biggest addition on Tennessee’s defense, transferring to the Vols from Oregon State and quickly becoming a star. He intercepted four passes, including two in the end zone, and had 39.0 tackles during the regular season.
“The 6-0, 193-pound sophomore was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist as the top defensive back in college football,” Low wrote, “and he is second in the SEC with 13 passes defended and tied for second with four interceptions. He’s a lockdown cover cornerback who has made several game-changing plays for the Vols.”
Josephs starred opposite of Pearce on the defensive line, registering 1.5 sacks, 9.0 tackles for loss, 38.0 tackles and eight quarterback hits.
“The 6-3, 245-pound junior edge rusher is the highest-graded defender in the SEC (minimum 150 snaps), according to Pro Football Focus,” Low wrote. “… Josephs had some of his best games in two of the Vols’ biggest wins, including a career-best three quarterback hurries in the win over Alabama and a career-best seven tackles (1.5 for loss) in an overtime win against Florida.”
