Tennessee football 2017 breakdown: Secondary could have big hit in Nigel Warrior

This is the third in a series evaluating how Tennessee stands at each position for the 2017 football season. Go to govolsxtra.com for previous installments.

If you want to inject some excitement into a conversation about Tennessee’s defense, drop Nigel Warrior’s name. The sophomore safety played just enough last season to get fans revved up about having a prominent role in UT’s secondary.

Combine his freshman season with all the recruiting hype, and the fans’ anticipation is understandable for the son of former Tennessee All-America defensive back Dale Carter.

New UT secondary coach Charlton Warren is also looking forward to Warrior’s second season.

“He’s a young guy with a lot of ability,” Warren said. “He plays with a certain amount of swagger. And he’s very coachable.”

He won’t need a pregame pep talk, either.

“He gets himself going,” Warren said. “He doesn’t need any outside stimuli to get rolling.”

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In a best-case scenario, Warrior will help get the entire secondary going. There’s plenty of room for improvement in a group that didn’t make enough big plays and gave up too many in 2016.

Overall, Tennessee had only 11 interceptions. And its pass defense wilted down the stretch, giving up 320 yards to Missouri and 416 to Vanderbilt in its last two regular-season games.

The Vanderbilt game was a nightmare for the secondary, which repeatedly was beaten by an ordinary group of receivers. Trent Sherfield and Caleb Scott combined for 13 catches and 301 yards, and the Commodores averaged 19.5 yards on 21 receptions.

At least, the secondary isn’t lacking in experience. Three senior cornerbacks  — Emmanuel Moseley, Louisville graduate transfer Shaq Wiggins and Justin Martin — have a combined 48 college starts. Nickel back Rashaan Gaulden and safeties Micah Abernathy and Todd Kelly Jr. are experienced as well.

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Freshman defensive backs Theo Jackson and Cheyenne Labruzza also have made favorable impressions in preseason camp.  

Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop has been so impressed with Gaulden in preseason camp that he plans to keep him on the field even when the Vols don’t need a fifth back.

The vet: Kelly’s knack for the ball and his knowledge of the game make him an invaluable member of the secondary.

“He can get us in and out of defenses,” Warren said. “He probably understands two or three different positions.”

Last season, Kelly’s first as a fulltime starter, he had a team-high 71 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

The future: Nashville’s Jackson, a three-star recruit, didn’t arrive at UT with a lot of hoopla. But recruiting stars don’t mean much when you take the field.

And Jackson had an immediate impact. Martin, who attended the same high school (Overton), wasn't surprised.

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"When I was a senior, he was the only freshman who played with the varsity," Martin said. 

Jackson and tight end LaTrell Bumphus were the first two freshmen to have their helmet stripe removed in preseason camp.

The ritual serves as an endorsement from veteran teammates that a freshman has what it takes to be a Volunteer.

Quote: Warren on what he looks for first in a defensive back: “I’m looking for a guy that’s versatile. A guy that has ball skills, can change directions and can run.”

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.