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Vols : Why You Can’t Run on Tennessee in 2015

By Randy Sharber

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Nov 15, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) leads the band after the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 50 to 16. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Kahlil McKenzie

In viewing Butch Jones and the Vols open practice last week I was very amiss at watching everything I wanted to watch. As and ex high school quarterback my love for the passing game is understandable. I went to watch Dobbs, Dormandy, and Jones throw the ball to the likes of Pearson, Smith, Howard, Croom, Jennings and Johnson.

But I could not look away from Kahlil McKenzie. When he came out onto the field I thought someone had on goalie equipment from the NHL. Just wait until you see for yourself. This guys thighs are huge. I have never seen anything quite like him in all of my years of playing, and watching football. He is built to play football along on the defensive line. Especially nose.

McKenzie is a 6’3″ 344 lb true freshman. That is not a misprint. He is so wide that the doesn’t even look like 6’3″, but he is. As I watched McKenzie go through his reps in practice I actually felt sorry for the offensive lineman he faced. I hope I had the feeling just because they were Tennessee Vol offensive lineman. I will probably get over it when we play Florida or Alabama.

McKenzie simply overpowers the offensive blocker from the beginning of the snap until the whistle blows. He generates so much power from his legs and then upper body that he literally knocks the blocker on his behind. He doesn’t push them back, or push them aside, he runs over them. It is a combination of leverage and unbelievable power.

McKenzie is going to make this line the best in the SEC this season. He may just be a freshman, but there aren’t many fifth year senior offensive guards and tackles that are going to be able to handle him. He is a definite double team.

So when they double team McKenzie another Vol defensive lineman will be opened up man on man. I like the Vols chances in this case. I like this defensive line period, and I like McKenzie a lot. I promise you that you will find yourself watching McKenzie battle on the interior as much as you will follow the ball. It is that unbelievable!

Next: Vols: Who Is The Most Improved Player?

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