Skip to main content
Tenn Truth
Fansided

Does Tennessee Football have the best cornerback duo in the nation?

ByColton Pickard|
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Linebacker Daniel Bituli #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers, Defensive back Bryce Thompson #20 of the Tennessee Volunteers, and Defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers react to a play during the game between the Charlotte 49ers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 14-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Linebacker Daniel Bituli #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers, Defensive back Bryce Thompson #20 of the Tennessee Volunteers, and Defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers react to a play during the game between the Charlotte 49ers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 14-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)

Pro Football Focus took a look at Tennessee Football’s cornerback duo in Bryce Thompson and Shawn Shamburger, and the Vols might have the best duo in the nation.

We all know thatJeremy Pruittis a defensive-minded coach. More specifically, Tennessee football’s head coach is a genius when it comes to the secondary. After two years at Tennessee, that might not be obvious to everyone, at least not yet.

Pro Football Focus took a look into what two specific Tennessee cornerbacks did on the field in a recent tweet. They didn’t go into a lot of detail, but the statistic that they tweeted was very interesting.

One Tennessee cornerback that has high expectations isAlontae Taylor, but he’s not apart of this cornerback duo that PFF detailed.

When bothBryce ThompsonandShawn Shamburgerwere on the field at the same time, the two cornerbacks gave up zero touchdowns last season. That’s crazy to think of. Of course, both of them gave up at least one touchdown throughout the season, but when they were both at corner, zero touchdowns were allowed by them.

Tennessee Volunteers CB duo coverage snaps

- Bryce Thompson: 325
- Shawn Shamburger: 361

Zero TDs allowed.pic.twitter.com/ATnbwt1SS7

— PFF College (@PFF_College)June 24, 2020

It’s hard to get any better than giving up zero touchdowns when on the field. I think Thompson and Taylor will headline the secondary for 2020 but don’t sleep on Shamburger.

Tennessee is going to need its defense to carry the offense again this season. Hopefully, the offense will be better than it was last season, but I expect the defense to continue to keep Tennessee in games they probably shouldn’t be in.

A big game that Tennessee can win is the Oklahoma game in Norman. If the defense shows up against an Oklahoma quarterback with literally zero real game experience, there’s a good chance Tennessee leaves there with a win.

If the 2020 season is played this fall, I think we could see an elite defense compete with the best teams in the SEC.

Add us as a preferred source onGoogle
Follow

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations