Tennessee Vols senior defensive back Alontae Taylor may have dropped the quote of the year on Saturday night after UT's 38-14 loss to the Florida Gators.

Taylor was asked by a reporter how the team can keep from falling apart midseason after the loss to Florida.

And his response was absolutely perfect.

"We won’t fall apart let me start off with that," said Taylor. "We are going to get closer as a team, we are going to watch film, and continue to build that bond. Come next week, we will handle that when it comes."

"One thing I will say is that we will not fall apart this year and you can quote me on that," added Taylor.

Before the start of the 2021 season, I wrote that Tennessee had its defensive leader in Taylor, a Winchester, TN native who signed with the Volunteers during the 2018 recruiting cycle.

Taylor certainly proved on Saturday night that he's a leader.

And he didn't just prove it with his words — Taylor backed it up with his actions, too.

Taylor's effort on a completion to Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland kept the Vols in the game in the first half. Taylor ripped the ball away from Copeland, forcing a fumble which was recovered by Tennessee.

That's not a play that was happening for the Vols a year ago.

Tennessee needs more players like Alontae Taylor. He's exactly the type of player that's going to help the Vols return to the AP Top 25 on a regular basis.

Playing for UT means something to Taylor. Representing the Power T the correct way is important to the veteran defensive back.

That type of attitude is contagious. Hopefully, it permeates to the rest of the team.

Featured image via Saul Young/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services