University of Tennessee defensive linemen Jordan Williams (54) and Danny O’Brien (95) jog back toward their lines during practice at Haslam Field.KNOXVILLE – There seems to be no shortage of motivation for the position group that’s widely considered Tennessee’s biggest question mark entering the 2014 football season.
Whether the Volunteers’ defensive line parlays that into success on the field remains to be seen.
“We’ve had a chip on our shoulder,” defensive tackle Danny O’Brien said following Monday’s practice, “ever since we were predicted to be the worst defensive line and worst offensive line in the country. I know Coach [Butch] Jones told us that as soon as we came out for training camp, and we let that drive us.
“I love hearing that. I love being the underdog, because they’re not going to know we’re coming, and we’re coming hard.”
Despite Curt Maggitt’s ankle injury and Corey Vereen’s quiet training camp, Tennessee feels better about its defensive ends than its defensive tackles thanks to freshmen Derek Barnett and Dewayne Hendrix’s play this month.