The Tennessee Vols' goal in 2023 will be the same as it was in 2022 — win the SEC and reach the College Football Playoff. 

Tennessee came up just short of their goal in 2022, but that won't deter them from setting the same high goal again in 2023. 

"We are not going to stop until we are the best," said Vols assistant coach Mike Ekeler this week, indicating that Tennessee isn't interested in celebrating "getting close" to their goal. 

One way the Vols are hoping to improve in 2023 is on the defensive side of the ball — specifically the secondary. 

Tennessee's secondary played well at times in 2022 — they dominated Kentucky quarterback Will Levis — and they struggled mightily at other times (the South Carolina game, for example). 

The Vols are hoping to generate a stronger pass rush with their front four in 2023 to help aid the secondary (fewer blitzes = more defenders that can drop into coverage). 

To help in that area, Tennessee hired former Vols standout Robert Ayers as a graduate assistant this offseason. 

Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner said last month that part of Ayers' job will be to help the pass rush improve. 

"I think he's only going to help us to get better and become a better football team," said Garner when asked about Ayers in late March. "Hopefully, one of the things we said coming out of last season that we needed to improve on was being better on a four-down pass rush. Hopefully, he'll be able to bring a lot of (insight) to that, to be able to help us improve in that area."

On Thursday, Vols defensive lineman Omari Thomas suggested that Ayers' pass-rushing knowledge is already paying off. 

"Just seeing how at times where (last season) we would just stop, and we would just be looking at the ball and different things like that," said Thomas when asked about Tennessee's focus on an improved pass rush. "But now you see we're always being active, always using our hands. That's something that Coach Rob Ayers, as well, has just come in — he was a great player for the University of Tennessee — that's something that he's really been focused on a lot is our pass rush game. He's done a great job with us. And Coach G (Garner) is behind him with everything that he does. Coach G is getting more into our pass rush game as well, so it's good just being able to use our hands. Technique things, on the field, just the little things in the meeting room. And then just watching film as well."

If the Vols can get consistent pressure with their front four, it'll take a significant amount of pressure off Tennessee's secondary. 

Defensive coordinator Tim Banks had to often rely on bringing different blitzes last season to generate pressure. If Ayers can help the defensive line's pass rush improve dramatically this offseason, it could turn the Vols' defense into a major strength. And that could be scary for the rest of the SEC.