Edge defenders coach Andrew Jackson knows that his position group wasn't considered one of Tennessee football's strengths entering the season.
Now, four weeks into the season, the Vols lead the nation in sacks with 19. They lead the SEC and rank sixth nationally in tackles for loss. And still, Jackson believes the defensive line still has more to offer.
“It’s early in the season. Definitely impressed by the way we’re playing. But if you look back at the (Texas) game, we can do a lot more," Jackson said on Sept. 29. "Both scores that we let up in the game, we could have played better up front. So yeah, we’re excited about the stuff we put on tape so far, but there’s definitely more out there for us.”
UT sacked Texas quarterback Arch Manning six
times and added four more tackles for loss in a 20-17 defeat to the No. 1 Longhorns on Sept. 24. But the defensive line didn't come back to work the following Monday satisfied with their effort.
The No. 17 Vols (3-1, 0-1 SEC) will look to add to their defensive work when Auburn (3-1, 1-1) visits Neyland Stadium on Oct. 3 (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
“We had a good game but, in a game like that and a game in this league, one play is the difference. It was a three-point game," junior defensive lineman Carson Gentle said. "We make one more play, that might be the difference.”
The Vols have found pass rush strength in numbers so far this season. Nine different Vols have at least one sack and four have multiple, led by led by sophomore Mariyon Dye and junior Penn State transfer Xavier Gilliam with four each.
Senior Tyree Weathersby, who has 3.5 sacks, said the unit's productive start has been a collective effort.
“There's selflessness," Weathersby said. "All 11 hats to the ball, but … everybody is happy when someone else makes a play and we’re all playing for one another.”
At one point considered to be a weakness for the Vols, the defensive line has become a strength. But even now, with the unit producing like one of the best units in college football, Jackson believes the players are only scratching the surface of what they're capable of.
“They’ve embraced the defense, they’ve taken ownership, they’ve fought every day to prove themselves," Jackson said. "You know, we had a lot of doubt coming about the D-line and the edge position and they’ve fought and tried detail up and they’ve all competed well against each other in practice every day.”
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football leads nation in sacks, but still isn't satisfied after Texas loss
