Tennessee will conclude spring football practices Saturday with its annual Chevrolet Orange & White Game at Neyland Stadium.
Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. EDT. SEC Network+ will broadcast the game.
Ahead of the game, defensive coordinator Tim Banks discussed the Vols’ defense throughout spring practices.
On going into the spring game and where the defense is at
“We made considerable strides since the first practice to obviously whatever practice number we are on right now. The kids are starting to grasp what we’re trying to get done. It’s not all about schematics but what the expectations are. How we practice, our whole intent, our body language, everything, how we take the field. From the first practice to where we are now, we made considerable strides.”
A look at Tennessee’s projected 2021 defensive depth chart.
Josh Heupel was hired as Tennessee’s head coach on Jan. 27.
Heupel hired Tim Banks as his defensive coordinator at Tennessee on Feb. 15.
Banks showcases a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, which is built to defend against spread offenses.
His scheme uses two defensive tackles and a pair of defensive ends. Pressure from Banks’ defense will come upfront.
Linebackers are asked to stop the run, while being responsible for covering tight ends and slot wide receivers.
Banks’ defense will feature two safeties and two cornerbacks.
A STAR position is added to the defensive rotation, providing a hybrid linebacker/safety role to complete a 4-2-5 look.
At Tennessee, Banks could also mix in a 3-3-5 look at times with a hybrid defensive end/linebacker.
Some of the split safety coverage looks from last year’s Tennessee team with similar terminology could remain intact, providing a full defensive depth chart projection.
During spring practices and ahead of the 2021 season, which is scheduled to start Sept. 4 against Bowling Green at Neyland Stadium, Vols Wire takes a look at Tennessee’s projected defensive depth chart.
The 7.0 version comes after Tennessee’s fifth spring practice.
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
NEXT: Tim Banks discusses Tennessee’s defense continued
First-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel introduced his defensive staff.
First-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel introduced his defensive staff on Monday.
“I’m excited to be able to introduce our defensive staff, a group of men that I’m really excited about,” Heupel said. “They’ve hit the ground running here this past week and a half with our players and are already getting some things implemented in getting ourselves prepared for spring ball.
“I’m excited about this group of men and who they are, and how they’re going to impact our players in a positive way off the field. A group of high energy men that have a ton of experience. Four out of the five have coordinator experience. Four out of the five have SEC ties and have been inside of this league before. They are a group of elite recruiters that can help us recruit the biggest and the best here to Knoxville, Tennessee.”
KNOXVILLE, TN – March 08, 2021 – Head Coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers of the Tennessee Volunteers during a press conference in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics (Tennessee Athletic Communications)
“They’re a group of guys that collectively have experience, have a wealth of knowledge, invest in their players, are going to be great recruiters for us, and I’m excited about having these guys here on the defensive side of the football.” — Josh Heupel on his defensive coaching staff
NEXT: Josh Heupel discusses defensive coordonator Tim Banks
Tim Banks has been hired as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator on Josh Heupel’s coaching staff.
Tim Banks has been hired as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator on Josh Heupel’s coaching staff.
Banks comes to Tennessee after serving in the same capacity at Penn State since 2016 under head coach James Franklin.
“I would like to thank Tim for everything he has contributed to our program,” Franklin said of Banks on Twitter. “This was a great opportunity for him to be the defensive play caller and DC at Tennessee.
“I have spent seven seasons on staffs with Tim at Maryland and Penn State, and I have enjoyed watching him develop into the coach he is today. Tim and his wife, Robin, will always have a special place in my family’s heart. We are excited for Tim and his family and wish him nothing but success in the future.”
This story originally appeared on Vols Wire. Tim Banks has been hired as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator. He comes to Josh Heupel’s staff after serving in the same capacity at Penn State since 2016. “Tim brings great energy, passion and experience …
Tim Banks has been hired as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator.
He comes to Josh Heupel’s staff after serving in the same capacity at Penn State since 2016.
“Tim brings great energy, passion and experience to the Tennessee football family,” Heupel said in a UT press release. “His defenses are known for their aggressive style, as well as their multiple coverages and fronts.
“He’s coached in big games and has a proven track record of success on the field and in recruiting. I know our student-athletes are going to enjoy playing for him. We are fortunate to have someone with Tim’s experience and caliber leading our defense.”
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Roll Tide Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.
Tim Banks’ defenses are known for aggressive style, multiple coverages and fronts.
Tim Banks has been hired as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator.
He comes to Josh Heupel’s staff after serving in the same capacity at Penn State since 2016.
“Tim brings great energy, passion and experience to the Tennessee football family,” Heupel said in a UT press release. “His defenses are known for their aggressive style, as well as their multiple coverages and fronts.
“He’s coached in big games and has a proven track record of success on the field and in recruiting. I know our student-athletes are going to enjoy playing for him. We are fortunate to have someone with Tim’s experience and caliber leading our defense.”
April 13, 2019; University Park, PA; Penn State Nittany Lions co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Tim Banks exits the team tunnel prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Banks has been hired as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator.
Banks has served in the same capacity at Penn State since 2016. He also oversaw the Nittany Lions’ safeties.
“Tim brings great energy, passion and experience to the Tennessee football family,” Vols’ head coach Josh Heupel said. “His defenses are known for their aggressive style, as well as their multiple coverages and fronts.
“He’s coached in big games and has a proven track record of success on the field and in recruiting. I know our student-athletes are going to enjoy playing for him. We are fortunate to have someone with Tim’s experience and caliber leading our defense.”
Prior to his time at Penn State, Banks served as Illinois’ defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach from 2012–15.
He was co-defensive coordinator alongside John Jancek at Cincinnati under head coach Butch Jones (2010-11). Banks also served as Jones’ defensive coordinator at Central Michigan from 2007-09.
April 13, 2019; University Park, PA; Penn State Nittany Lions co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Tim Banks exits the team tunnel prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Banks showcases a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, which is built to defend against spread offenses.
His scheme uses two defensive tackles and a pair of defensive ends. Pressure from Banks’ defense will come upfront.
Linebackers are asked to stop the run, while being responsible for covering tight ends and slot wide receivers.
Banks’ defense will feature two safeties and two cornerbacks.
A STAR position is added to the defensive rotation, providing a hybrid linebacker/safety role to complete a 4-2-5 look.
At Tennessee, Banks could also mix in a 3-3-5 look at times with a hybrid defensive end/linebacker.
Some of the split safety coverage looks from last year’s Tennessee team with similar terminology could also remain intact.
