KNOXVILLE - With so many injuries to key Tennessee football players a season ago, the ankle issue that hampered Baylen Buchanan can easily be forgotten.
Merely looking at the Volunteers' defensive statistics from 2017 suggests that Buchanan hit a sophomore slump. But after a promising freshman campaign in 2016, there was more to his statistical regression than the numbers tell.
"My sophomore year, I was limited because of injuries, so I couldn't play that much," Buchanan, now a junior, said last week. "Now I'm just focused on being a better teammate and being more consistent in my position."
That mentality appears to be leading Buchanan toward an early shot at redemption in 2018.
Defensive back Baylen Buchanan (28) and wide receiver Tyler Byrd (10) of the Tennessee Volunteers face off during 2018 Fall Training Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. (Photo by Austin Perryman/Tennessee Athletics)Tennessee has not released a depth chart for its season opener against West Virginia, but don't be surprised to see Buchanan at one of the cornerback positions when the Vols take on the Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sept. 1.
While freshmen defensive backs Alontae Taylor, Bryce Thompson and Trevon Flowers have generated buzz with their performances during preseason practices, Buchanan quietly has continued embracing first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt's philosophies at a position of need.
Buchanan described Pruitt's approach as "an in-your-face type of defense."
"I love that style," Buchanan said. "I like pressing. I feel like it makes me a better corner, more physical, and I think that goes for everybody in the secondary."
Pruitt was hesitant to mention the names of individual players during the spring as he got to know his first crop of players at Tennessee, but Buchanan exited spring practices as a first-team cornerback.
Over the last two months, Pruitt has been more willing to discuss the attributes of certain players. He scarcely has been asked to evaluate Buchanan, however.
But it could be interpreted as a ringing endorsement of Buchanan that Pruitt allowed him to talk with reporters last week. He became just the second defensive back to earn that distinction since preseason practices began, following senior safety Micah Abernathy.
Buchanan said about the new coaching, "I think for everybody on our team, it was a fresh start."
The son of former two-time All-Pro NFL defensive back Ray Buchanan, Baylen played in all 13 of Tennessee's games as a true freshman in 2016 and started against South Carolina.
Orange team wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) pulls down a pass against White team defensive back Baylen Buchanan (28) during the Orange and White spring game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Knoxville, Tenn.Against Pruitt's Alabama team in 2016, Buchanan made eight tackles. He finished the season with 20 tackles and a pass deflection and appeared ready to compete for a larger role entering the 2017 season.
That's when, like for so many Vols, injuries hampered his progression.
Now he technically is Tennessee's most experienced cornerback as one of only two returners who have started a game at the position. The other is sophomore Shawn Shamburger, who emerged during Buchanan's absence a year ago.
Both are now on the verge of cementing key roles - not as fill-ins but as potential starters.
"I feel like everybody wants to step in and be that guy," Buchanan said. "I'm just worried about every time I'm on the field just making sure that I'm where my feet are and making sure I get better every day."
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.