How Tennessee's Recent Coaching Investments Recruit Williams Nwaneri
Defensive fronts have been a polarizing subject for Tennessee fans. Reggie White, Derek Barnett, and Robert Ayers Jr. all became first-rounders after starring on the Volunteers' defensive line, yet consistent pressure evades a talented group.
Head coach Josh Heupel took stock of the team upon arrival and made a concerted effort to bolster the defensive line. He signed two All-American edge rushers, a five-star defensive end, and a 6-5 edge in the 2023 recruiting class.
He did more than change the personnel. Tennessee recently hired Ayers Jr. as a senior defensive analyst, someone that will assist with training defensive linemen after a successful few seasons on the high school coaching circuit.
Ayers had an illustrious playing career that carried eight seasons; he logged 34.5 sacks in 120 games after becoming a first-round pick. He played in three NFL regimes and lasted until age 32, becoming a student of the game in his veteran years.
All of this seems great in a vacuum, but it's hard to project how much impact an analyst will have. Heupel has established a precedent for internal promotions; Joey Halzle, Kelsey Pope, and Alec Abeln are examples within the past two years.
Time will tell if Ayers becomes more, but one immediate impact it has is on recruiting. Heupel's commitment to filling the defensive front with NFL experience must be a selling point when recruiting top defensive linemen like Williams Nwaneri.
Nwaneri is a St. Louis native with an all-conference upside. His listed size of 6-5 and 245 pounds doesn't raise eyebrows, but his consistent effort and athleticism make him a force as a 5-technique.
He carries a difficult decision; midwest programs like Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri have made a strong impression, and proximity always helps. However, Tennessee offers an SEC learning curve, something enticing for someone who almost undoubtedly has Sunday aspirations.
The five-star lineman has solid hand-fighting skills and the prototypical length to beat tackles but is still learning how to rush the passer. Pass rush is an art that becomes a chess game at the higher levels; Nwaneri is just beginning to learn these things.
Adding an NFL veteran certainly doesn't hurt the Volunteers' chances. Ayers won with a similar yet smaller profile to Nwaneri, and providing a blueprint to success would be an enticing prospect.
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