The Tennessee Vols' defense played better than expected in 2021 under new defensive coordinator Tim Banks, but there was one specific area where they struggled.

Tennessee had major issues stopping opposing quarterbacks from running the ball.

Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral rushed for 195 yards in the Rebels' 31-26 win against the Vols this season. Corral's 195 yards against UT was one-third of his rushing total on the season (597 yards).

Florida quarterback Emory Jones had similar success against the Vols' defense, rushing for a season-high 144 yards in the Gators' 38-14 win over UT. Jones' next best rushing total in 2021 was 86 yards against Samford.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young's success running the ball against the Vols wasn't quite as extreme, but he still had his best rushing game of the year against Tennessee (42 yards). To put that number in perspective, Young had only 31 rushing yards on the season. Without that game against the Volunteers, he's in the negative.

Tennessee — perhaps inspired by their opponents in 2021 — is hoping to utilize Hendon Hooker's legs more in 2022.

"With Hendon, the element of what he can do with his legs, we've got to continue to grow," said UT offensive coordinator Alex Golesh this week. "We didn't come into the season expecting that to be what we were doing. Obviously, it's been an added bonus. He's gotten us out of a lot of things…makes it easier on third down where you can call a drop back pass and he'll make you right and save your butt a couple of times. I've said 'thank you' to him several times on that."

Hooker rushed for 561 yards in 2021, but it sounds like UT's coaching staff is looking to give him more opportunities to run the ball.

Running Hooker more will obviously put him at a higher risk for injury. But if Tennessee is going to reach its ceiling in 2022, they have to fully utilize Hooker's abilities. And if that means running that ball more, then so be it.

Injuries can happen at any time. It's impossible to predict or prevent a freak injury.

The Vols have to be smart with Hooker, but they also can't waste him by limiting what he can do on the field.

Fortunately for Tennessee, it appears that UT's coaching staff understands that.

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