Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam performed so well in his opening act with Tennessee that I checked college football’s NIL pay scale.
Anyone with more than a casual interest in the sport probably knows that the most valued positions are quarterback, wide receiver and edge rushers. But the next most valued position isn’t as obvious. Defensive tackles also can command lucrative NIL deals – mainly because the best of them are hard to come by.
Ideally, a coach would love to have an interior lineman large enough to clog running lanes but quick enough to produce an inside pass rush. That’s what coach Kirby Smart had when Georgia won back-to-back national championships in 2021-22.
Tight end Brock Bowers wasn’t the only star on those championship teams.
First, Jordan Davis; then, Jalen Carter anchored Georgia’s defensive front.
Davis and Carter now bedevil NFL offenses on behalf of the Philadelphia Eagles, and their value is rising. The Eagles signed Davis to a three-year, $78 million deal this year. Then, they signed Carter to a four-year, $152 million contract.
I have no idea how much the Vols are paying Gilliam, a Penn State transfer who was an immediate hit with the Vols in the spring. And one game against a vastly inferior FCS opponent like Furman doesn’t make him first-team All-SEC.
But you learned this much: Tennessee’s interior defense will be much better because of him. Furman could vouch for that after he had five tackles for loss and three sacks in UT’s 56-9 victory.
Gilliam’s stats won’t go unnoticed by Georgia Tech, whose offensive line rarely made headway against Colorado’s defensive front in a 14-13 loss on Sept. 3. The game played on a Thursday gave the Yellow Jackets an extra couple of days to shore up a glaring weakness before their Sept. 12 matchup in Atlanta against Tennessee.
Two days isn’t nearly enough time, according to oddsmakers, who installed Tennessee as a 13.5-point favorite.
Georgia Tech coach Brent Key remained optimistic even though his team’s troubles weren’t limited to inadequate offensive line play against Colorado.
“I don't have a crystal ball, but I'm still bullish on this team,” Key said. “I'm very confident in this football team."
His confidence might be unwarranted. But what’s he supposed to say: “We’re doomed to failure”?
Never mind how feeble Georgia Tech’s offense looked against the Buffs, or how Tennessee’s defense played in a mismatch against an FCS opponent. You can’t be sure if the Vols will have Colorado-like success against the Yellow Jackets.
But it’s noteworthy that their defense seemed comfortable in the new system implemented by coordinator Jim Knowles. Most of Furman’s offensive success came in the second half against Tennessee reserves.
“I thought our ones played extremely well,” coach Josh Heupel said Sept. 7. “Assignment sound. Our front seven played extremely well. So, there were a lot of positives.”
Defensive transitions don’t always go so smoothly, even against opponents as limited as Furman.
Tennessee’s first-team defense not only executed its assignments. It made plays behind the line, which helped explain why Furman managed just 78 yards in the first half.
UT’s backups also were disruptive, as the final stats reflected. The Vols totaled seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
No one created more havoc than Gilliam, whose No. 2 helped him stand out on the defensive front before he made his first play. He wore No. 22 in high school, but Tennessee linebacker Jeremiah Telander had that number when Gilliam joined the Vols. So, Gilliam opted for No. 2.
Georgia Tech doesn't need to watch much video to determine that No. 2 could present the No. 1 challenge for its offense at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865- -6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football's Xavier Gilliam a No. 1 concern for Georgia Tech | Adams
