Tennessee CB Kamal Hadden will miss rest of the season

Josh Heupel teams have a well-earned offensive reputation. The former Oklahoma quarterback and offensive coordinator has led teams at UCF and Tennessee that have scored a ton of points. However, the Vols are having to win differently in 2023 under their play-calling head coach. Tennessee’s defense is leading the way in year three.

On Thursday, defensive coordinator Tim Banks and his unit caught a bad break when redshirt senior cornerback Kamal Hadden was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. The former junior college product announced on Instagram that he will miss the rest of the season.

That will be a big blow to the Vols. Through seven games, an argument can be made that Hadden has been the best cover cornerback in the SEC. The Michigan native leads the team in pass breakups (eight) and interceptions (three). Tennessee plays an aggressive style of defense and that often can put their secondary in isolation situations. The Vols were OK with that this season with Hadden taking away half of the field. With a very productive pass rush, that has quite often been a winning strategy for the Big Orange in 2023.

Kamal Hadden played a big role for a passing defense that ranks No. 27 in yards per pass attempt and No. 29 in passing EPA/play. His presence will be missed over the last five games. Doneiko Slaughter is the next man up — and he has experience — but there will be a drop-off.

Could Kentucky take advantage of this surprising personnel change on Saturday night at Kroger Field? Only time will tell. Alabama is the only offense that has posted more than seven yards per attempt against this Tennessee passing defense. That could begin to change without one of the best cornerbacks in college football in the lineup.