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How Alontae Taylor is epitomizing exactly what Jeremy Pruitt wants Tennessee to be about
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/t...itomizing-exactly-tennessee-wants-about-2018/
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/t...itomizing-exactly-tennessee-wants-about-2018/
With Tennessee clinging to a surprising 3-point lead in the second half against Auburn on Saturday, Alontae Taylor got the ball on the 2-yard line and ran it in for the score. Taylor’s first career touchdown came just 6 games into his true freshman season at Tennessee.
But on Saturday, Taylor’s first points at Tennessee didn’t come on a fade to the back of the end zone, or on a quick-hitting slant over the middle.
Instead, they came the way all defensive players draw it up — a scoop and score.
Taylor made a play on the ball after the Vols sacked and forced a fumble on Jarrett Stidham, and from his new home at cornerback, the freshman came up with the loose ball for a key second half touchdown.
That play put the exclamation point on Tennessee’s first SEC win of the Jeremy Pruitt era. In many ways, Taylor’s performance epitomized the start of a new culture in Knoxville.
The converted high school quarterback/receiver also forced a fumble and had a career-high 7 tackles to help the Vols earn their first conference win since 2016. At the midway point of his first season, he has 21 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 tackle for loss and the aforementioned scoop and score.
The advanced analytics coverage numbers are most impressive. Through 6 games (4 starts), Taylor ranks 6th among Power 5 cornerbacks in fewest yards allowed per coverage snap, according to Pro Football Focus.