Vols’ defensive line rated among best

KNOXVILLE, TENN. — Bob Shoop engineered Top 25 defenses at Vanderbilt and Penn State, so it’s no surprise Tennessee’s first-year coordinator is giddy about all the toys he inherited in Knoxville.

“The end position, it’s three-deep, which is pretty legit,” Shoop said.

The depth “is unique to anything I’ve ever been around.”

Tennessee is loaded along the defensive line, returning All-American pass rusher Derek Barnett, underrated veteran Corey Vereen and then a slew of other athletic pass rushers who can play multiple positions.

During training camp, sophomores Kyle Phillips and Kahlil McKenzie turned heads, and redshirt freshman end Darrell Taylor also is fighting for snaps.

Of course, ballyhooed newcomer Jonathan Kongbo has garnered serious attention throughout the preseason.

“We want to be the best D-line in America and we’ve said that since Day 1,” junior tackle Kendal Vickers said.

“We have that on the white board in the D-line room. We come out here every day and grind.”

Shoop, with position coach Steve Stripling, has a mix of veterans, newcomers and a potential 2017 firstround NFL pick to employ this fall.

Competition for reps is at an all-time high, so fifth-year senior LaTroy Lewis said the unit repeats a famous mantra by future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick.

“The coaching staff, Shoop, (Butch) Jones, Strip, everybody, they ask one thing,” Lewis explained.

“The big mantra for the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick: Do your job. That’s it.”

Under Shoop’s attacking scheme, which mandates athleticism, smarts and versatility, Tennessee easily should surpass last season’s sack and tacklefor-loss totals.

Barnett was the lone lineman to record more than four sacks, but he believes he’ll have a lot more help in 2016.

“Kyle Phillips, man, he’s gotten healthier and that’s a big thing. He’s worked really hard this offseason rehabbing,” Barnett told SEC Country.

“I saw him take a lot of steps. He’s long, fast, athletic. He’s going to help us a lot this year.”

Phillips, a 6-5, 259-pound former five-star recruit, looks healthy after offseason shoulder surgery, and heralded underclassmen Taylor and Kongbo have made good impressions in camp.

Lewis said “the sky is the limit” for Kongbo, who continues to learn the game.

“This is going to be a fun year,” linebacker Darrin Kirkland said.

BRANT SANDERLIN / BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM Tennessee’s Derek Barnett (9), tackling Georgia running back Sony Michel last season, is part of a talented defensive line.