One of the biggest surprises of the 2021 season for the Tennessee Vols has been the much-improved play of the defense.

Tennessee's defense was expected to struggle this season for several reasons — a new scheme, a lack of depth, and being forced to see the field more often because of Josh Heupel's up-tempo offense.

The Vols, however, are playing extremely solid defense under new defensive coordinator Tim Banks. It hasn't been perfect, but there's been a definite improvement.

In 2020, the Volunteers were No. 70 in yards per game allowed. This season, Tennessee is No. 45 so far in yards per game allowed.

That doesn't seem like a vast improvement at first glance. But it's important to remember that Tennessee's defense is on the field more often in 2021 because of Heupel's up-tempo offense. The Vols are going to give up yards and points simply because of more opportunities for the opposing offense.

One stat where UT's improvement is noticeable is yards per play (which I think is a better indication of a good defense — it means explosive plays are being limited).

In 2020, the Vols gave up 5.8 yards per play which was No. 75 in the nation.

So far this season, Tennessee is giving up 4.7 yards per play, which is No. 28 in the nation.

Tennessee often looked confused and out of position on defense under previous UT head coach Jeremy Pruitt.

There's a good reason for that — the Vols' defense was much more complicated under Pruitt than it is under Banks.

Players had to do a lot more thinking in Pruitt's system. In Banks' system, the calls have been simplified, which allows players to react and use their natural athletic abilities.

Senior defensive back Theo Jackson talked about Tennessee's simpler defense this week while discussing how he helps UT's younger players.

"Since I was in one of the hardest defenses (under Pruitt), and this is so much simpler, I can break it down to them a little bit better," said Jackson on Tuesday. "Then they can understand it easier than when I had to learn it. So, it really makes it easier for everyone.”

Pruitt is a good defensive coach. He understands the X's and the O's of the game as well as anyone. But he made things too difficult for a young defense that was trying to find its way. The Vols had no defensive identity under Pruitt because they simply didn't understand what was happening on the field.

Under Banks, we clearly see what the Vols want to be on defense — an aggressive team that attacks the ball and plays with great effort.

Tennessee's defenders are having fun, making plays, and flying all over the place.

It's what UT fans envisioned under Pruitt. But it's happening under a coach that few Vol fans had even heard of a year ago.

Funny how things work out sometimes.

Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports/Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports