KNOXVILLE — When Jeremy Pruitt took over as the head coach at Tennessee in Dec. 2017, there was a litany of flaws on a football team that was coming off a 4-8 campaign that saw Butch Jones fired.
Possibly the toughest challenge to overcome was Tennessee’s weakness in the trenches.
Both the offensive and defensive lines were devoid of talent and size needed to compete in the SEC. Heading into 2020, those two units are the only ones that return every starter from a 2019 season that ended with a six-game win streak and finishing 8-5.
One of the best pro prospects up front defensively for Tennessee is rising senior defensive end Aubrey Solomon. The former 5-star and Michigan transfer learned of his eligibility only days before the season-opener against Georgia State and finished the season with 28 tackles and three sacks. Another year in Pruitt’s system should benefit Solomon, especially as he is surrounded by more experienced talent.
NEXT (Continued): A way-too-early preview of Tennessee’s defensive line in 2020