Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks comments on not having LB Jeremy Banks for the Orange Bowl
When the Tennessee Vols take the field on Friday night to play the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl, they won't have one of their best defensive players out there. Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks announced on Christmas Eve that he's skipping the Orange Bowl to begin his preparation for the 2023 NFL Draft. Banks had […]
When the Tennessee Vols take the field on Friday night to play the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl, they won't have one of their best defensive players out there.
Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks announced on Christmas Eve that he's skipping the Orange Bowl to begin his preparation for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Banks had one year of eligibility remaining thanks to the COVID-19 impacted 2020 season.
The Tennessee native missed only one game this season — the Vols' loss to South Carolina (that loss cost UT a chance to reach the College Football Playoff).
Tennessee's defense played its worst game of the season against the Gamecocks. The absence of Banks isn't necessarily why the Vols gave up 63 points, but it certainly didn't help.
With Banks not in the mix, linebackers Juwan Mitchell and Aaron Beasley will need to step up against the Tigers (especially in coverage as they attempt to defend Clemson running back Will Shipley).
On Tuesday, Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks was asked about not having Jeremy Banks in Miami for the Orange Bowl.
The UT defensive coordinator wished Jeremy the best while telling reporters that Tennessee has to go play with the guys they have.
"We wish Jeremy nothing but the best," said Banks on Tuesday. "He did so much for the University of Tennessee on the field. But we're obviously excited about the guys that we have that are ready to play. I'm really believing that they'll have great games and be ready to go."
Not having Jeremy Banks at linebacker against Clemson will likely cause some Vols fans to conjure up the memories of the loss to South Carolina, but I don't think fans should fear that a repeat of that performance is in store.
I know the popular narrative is that Banks not playing against SC is why Tennessee lost. While his presence was certainly missed, that's not the reason why the Vols lost. That was a total letdown by the entire defense. And the truth is that it was just a really bad time for Tennessee to have an "off night". If Banks had played, the result likely wouldn't have been much different.
So while it's unfortunate that Tennessee won't have Banks for the Orange Bowl, it doesn't mean that a loss is inevitable for the Volunteers.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
