Tennessee Vols secondary coach Willie Martinez made it a point recently to say that UT needs player-driven leadership to be successful.

“I think having good leadership in the room (is important) and I think if it’s not player-driven, you’ve got no shot,” said Martinez while speaking to reporters last week.

It appears that Tennessee has at least one of its player-leaders.

Senior cornerback Alontae Taylor.

Taylor, a Manchester, TN native, might be the closest thing we've seen to former Vols wide receiver Jauan Jennings, one of the more impressive leaders in recent UT history.

The thing that elevates Taylor to another level is how much he cares about Tennessee football. Wearing the Power T is special for Taylor. He cares deeply about the program, the fans, and the traditions of UT.

"We’re excited to have Vol nation out there (this season)," said Taylor recently. "We’re excited to have the traditional things going again, such as the ‘Vol Walk’ and running out of the Power T. I feel like we’re all excited about that."

On Wednesday night, during Vol calls, UT head coach Josh Heupel commented on Taylor and his role as a leader.

“AT is a solid player that continues to train and compete every day with real consistency,” said Heupel. “He’s passionate about this program, leads it in a really good way."

The proof will be on the field this season. But so far this fall, Taylor appears to be a player that's poised to lead the Vols' defense in 2021.

That's good news for Tennessee. A lack of player leadership was part of the reason the Volunteers only won three games last season.

Everything is moving in the right direction for the Vols as the start of the 2021 season approaches. We'll see if it pays off in the form of wins over the next couple of weeks.

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