PFF Classes: Tennessee at Arkansas

Let’s see how the Vols did.

Elite Grade = 90-100, All-Conference = 85-89, Starter = 70-84, Backup = 60-69, Interchangeable = 60>

Offensive grades (at least 13 games – 20% of offensive games)

LG Andrej Karic – 73.8 (60 games)

RB Dylan Sampson – 72.3 (60 games)

WR Dont’e Thornton – 67.7 (37 games)

RG Javontez Spraggins – 64.5 (68 games)

WR Squirrel White – 64.1 (51 games)

C Cooper Mays – 63.6 (68 games)

WR Chas Nimrod – 63.3 (14 games)

RT Dayne Davis – 62.5 (13 games)

WR Chris Brazzell – 57.3 (43 games)

WR Mike Matthews – 55.1 (14 games)

WR Bru McCoy – 54.9 (39 games)

QB Nico Iamaleava – 53.6 (68 games)

TE Holden Staes – 51.8 (14 games)

RT John Campbell – 47.4 (55 games)

LT Lance Heard – 42.2 (68 games)

We talked all week about Tennessee getting John Campbell and Lance Heard back, but it turned out to be relatively meaningless. The duo was terrible at Arkansas, particularly in pass protection, where they posted grades of 48 and 41.8, respectively. As bad as Tennessee’s tackling was, the interior defenders on the offensive line performed well.

Thanks to Dylan Sampson. This is the least rotation I can ever remember from a Tennessee running back under Heupel in a game. He also posted a strong pass blocking performance of 76.9, which wasn’t his strong point.

Overall, a lot of pathetic marks for a pathetic offensive performance. Nico Iamaleava and the receiver core received particularly poor grades, which is not surprising.

More from RTI: Are Tennessee football’s offensive problems solvable?

Defense (minimum 15 games – 20% of defensive snaps)

LB Jeremiah Telander – 87.6 (22 games)

LEO James Pearce Jr. – 76.6 (56 games)

DT Omari Thomas – 73.0 (28 games)

LB Keenan Pili – 72.8 (62 games)

S Jakobe Thomas – 72.7 (18 games)

DE Tire West – 70.3 (15 games)

STAR Christian Harrison – 70.0 (30 games)

LB Arion Carter – 69.6 (47 games)

STAR Josh Josephs – 68.8 (38 games)

DT Bryson Eason – 65.7 (23 games)

DT Omarr Norman-Lott – 63.9 (30 games)

S Andre Turrentine – 63.1 (52 games)

STAR Boo Carter – 61.8 (39 games)

S Will Brooks – 61.6 (58 games)

CB Rickey Gibson – 60.6 (62 games)

DE Dominic Bailey – 60.6 (49 games)

DT Elijah Simmons – 58.8 (26 games)

CB Jermod McCoy – 58.1 (76 games)

S Christian Charles – 53.1 (24 games)

DT Jaxson Moi – 52.3 (25 games)

CB Jalen McMurray – 49.9 (18 games)

Last night was the first time an opponent tested Tennessee’s pass defense, and we saw some of the gaps in the secondary that we expected before the season. Seven of Tennessee’s 10 highest-rated defenders were defensive backs.

I have to say, I liked Jermod McCoy better than his senior looks. He was hit on two deep balls, but the coverage was solid each time. Just throw and catch better.

This was James Pearce Jr.’s best game of the season. He played football 24/7 and recorded five quarterback hurries in addition to his five tackles and one sack.