Volunteer Country

Brandon Turnage Named SEC Defensive Player of Week

Following his impressive performance against South Carolina, Tennessee's Week 6 leading tackler has been named SEC defensive player of the week
Jack Foster|
Brandon Turnage Named SEC Defensive Player of Week
Brandon Turnage Named SEC Defensive Player of Week

In Tennessee's 45-20 victory over SEC foe South Carolina, the Vols were without leading tackler on the season in Theo Jackson, leaving a void to be filled in the Tennessee defense. 

And Brandon Turnage filled it.

The redshirt sophomore stepped in excellent fashion for Jackson, leading the team in tackles with 14, two being for a loss.

Turnage was all over the field for the Vols on Saturday, and his impressive performance has garnered attention, as the Alabama transfer defensive back has been named SEC defensive player of the week.

The news was made official by Tennessee Football's twitter page on Monday with the tweet below:

The first year Vol in Turnage showed that the Tennessee secondary has the depth necessary to compete with SEC offenses, and the 'next man up' mentality Josh Heupel incorporates with his team has proved successful. 

The next four games in Ole Miss, Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky will be tougher tests for the Vols' defense, but Turnage's great showing on Saturday combined with what Theo Jackson and Alontae Taylor have brought to the table this season provide optimism for Willie Martinez' squad to rise to the occasion as the season progresses.

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Jack Foster
JACK FOSTER

Jack is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in Journalism/Electronic Media. Jack grew up in Paris, Tennessee, but now spends the majority of his time in Knoxville doubling as a student and sports journalist for Volunteer Country. Jack has been a sports junkie since he was a young kid and always watched NFL football with his dad on Sundays. Jack still follows the NFL religiously, as he is an avid fantasy football player. Jack started with Volunteer Country in May of 2021 and has since helped provide full coverage of football, baseball and men's and women's basketball. Jack also works as a recurring member of WUTK's Rock Solid Sports show on Wednesdays and Fridays, and he also serves as head sports producer of The Volunteer Channel's Vol News, a student-run show at the University. When Jack is not watching or covering sports, find him on the golf course or back home spending time with his parents, younger sister and friends. Follow Jack on Twitter and Instagram by clicking "Twitter" and "Instagram" to see all of his work with Volunteer Country as well as student media.

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