Vols Expect Secondary to be a Strength Again Next Season

(utsports.com)  Tennessee’s secondary was a strength during its 2024 College Football Playoff season, and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez expects that to continue this fall.

Martinez spoke with members of the media following the Volunteers’ sixth spring practice on Thursday at Haslam Field. Tennessee is without the services cornerback Jermod McCoy this spring after the All-American suffered a knee injury while training in January prior to the semester beginning.

“We all know that whatever time the injuries happen, that you’re going to have to be able to adapt and adjust,” Martinez said. “Everybody says it all the time, next man up. We know that Jermod is going to be back. We know he’s a great player and leader. He’s doing an unbelievable job.

“With the more depth we have, especially with the way this is set up right now with college football, you’re going to need everybody. It gives everybody else an opportunity to give us a chance where we can build and become a better defense.”

Rickey Gibson III is coming off a fantastic sophomore season where he teamed with McCoy to form one of the top duos in the nation. Gibson is a member of the Vols’ 2025 leadership council.

“He has really been elite this spring and this offseason,” Martinez said. “His attention to detail both on and off the field have been tremendous, and he’s a really good teammate. He’s picking the guy up that’s down, which is one of those young players. He’s praising them when they do it right. His growth as a leader has been tremendous ever since the season has finished, both on and off the field.”

Transfer Jalen McMurray enters his second year with the program and was the Vols’ third cornerback in the rotation last season. McMurray is also seeing action at STAR this spring behind returning starter Boo Carter.

Tennessee led the SEC in allowing the fewest explosive passing plays last season. The Vols issued only nine pass plays of 30-plus yards and only two plays of 40-plus yards, which also tied with Indiana, Washington and Wisconsin for the national lead.

The Vols are hosting their Coaches Clinic on Friday and Saturday with keynote speaker Jon Gruden set to take the stage. Tennessee returns to the practice field for a full pads practice on Saturday morning.