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Will Rashaan Gaulden be Tennessee's next breakout sophomore?
Last season, Jalen Reeves-Maybin turned out to be a revelation for the Volunteers defense at outside linebacker after a freshman season spent as a special teams ace. This season, Tennessee is hoping for a similar transition from one of 2014's special team leaders as Rashaan Gaulden looks to make a name for himself at the nickel back position.
With Tennessee uncertain at middle linebacker heading into the season, the Volunteers are expected to run much of their base defense from the nickel formation. With Justin Coleman no longer with the team, the coaches are looking to Gaulden to fill the void at the nickelback position and if his performance this spring is any indication, he's more than ready to show what he can do.
"He is trying to learn the nickel spot," defensive coordinator John Jancek said following Monday's practice. "It's a complicated position. There are a lot of calls that he has to make. There are lots of things he has to know like receiver splits as well as being involved in the run game. He has the physical ability to play a lot of spots, but we are going to leave him at nickel."
When asked if he could trust Gaulden to play in the secondary, Jancek replied:
"Oh yeah. I trust Rashaan. He cares, he works hard. Is he going to make mistakes? Yeah, he's going to make mistakes but that doesn't mean I don't trust him. I trust Rashaan because of what he stands for and what he's been able to accomplish in a very short time here."
So far Jancek has been happy with what he's seen from Gaulden in fall practice, as it appears the Vols may have just found their new breakout star in the sophomore corner.
"Rashaan has made some great plays," Jancek said. "He is still learning, and there are nuances of things he has to figure out and adjust to. I like the way he is playing. I like Rashaan's game. He is a physical player. He doesn't say a whole lot. He just goes out and puts his bodywork on film, and that is what I love about him."
