Spring practices: Tim Banks discusses Vols’ defense

2021 Tennessee Vols’ football spring practices.

Tennessee has completed three spring practices.

The Vols practiced in pads for the first time on Tuesday. Following practice, Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks met with media and discussed the Vols’ defense.

On if Tyler Baron is moving full time to the defensive line

“We are still defining all of our roles right now on our defense. He is obviously a skilled athlete, big skilled if you will. I think it is too early to say exactly how we are going to utilize him, whether it’s strictly a hybrid or strictly a defensive lineman. And quite frankly I think that is a good problem to have. He has a good skill set, so we are still evaluating it, and hopefully, by the end of spring heading into fall we will have a better idea exactly how we want to utilize him.”

On what he saw out of the defensive line group today

“The want is there. The guys are working extremely hard. We obviously play at a really good pace and obviously are learning a new system. So, there is a lot that is required to play at the standard into which we want to play. But I thought as far as the effort and what we are asking them to do. I thought the guys were really working their tails off trying to improve and that is really all we can ask for. I thought today they worked their tails off.”

KNOXVILLE, TN – March 30, 2021 – Defensive Coordinator Coach Tim Banks of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

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