Willie Martinez: Rickey Gibson III was Tennessee’s ‘most consistent’ cornerback last season

Willie Martinez knew the reaction to what he was about to say before he said it. So during his press conference after practice on Monday, Tennessee Football’s secondary coach explained himself up front. 

“I know Jermod (McCoy) had an unbelievable year,” Martinez said of Tennessee’s All-American cornerback and breakout star last season, “don’t get me wrong. And the plays he made were phenomenal.”

But … Rickey Gibson III more than held his own opposite of McCoy at the other corner. 

“As the season was going on,” Martinez said, “he was the most consistent, to be honest with you, on the edges … we leaned on Rickey a lot because again, he’s a guy that knows the scheme.”

Rickey Gibson III last season: 32 tackles, 5 passes defended, forced fumble

Gibson in his second season at Tennessee had a career year with the Vols, recording 32 tackles — 25 solo, seven assists — and had five passes defended and a forced fumble. 

His role will be even more important entering his junior season, as McCoy continues his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered while training in January. 

Gibson spent the offseason building on the consistency that Martinez saw last season. 

“Rickey is extremely smart,” Martinez said. “Always has been. I’ll say the skills, he’s a lot better with the ball skills. He’s really been intentional about being more — improving his ball skills to track and locate stuff. You can see it when he’s doing drills.”

During his first two seasons, there were drops during practice drills. But apparently that’s a thing of the past. 

“Now it’s like it’s a competitive thing with him,” Martinez said. “I mean, he’ll catch it even if he’s got a bad hand or a bad finger, from a skill standpoint.”

He’s coaching his younger teammates, trying to bring them along with him, but it isn’t a new development. 

“He’s always been coaching the young guys,” Martinez said. “Even when he’s been a young guy. He does a really good job. He’s smart.”

Gibson helped McCoy learn Tennessee’s defense after transferring from Oregon State, before McCoy became a star in the secondary with four interceptions last season. 

‘That room was built with some guys that have been around here’

Martinez said Monday that Gibson’s knowledge continues to grow along with his game on the field.

“He’s a lot smarter,” Martinez said. “He’s more aware of what the safeties are doing and he knows how they work with each other. And great leadership, man.”

What Martinez has seen from Gibson in his time at Tennessee has mirrored what he has seen among his defensive backs as a whole the last four seasons. 

“I really love that room, man,” Martinez said. “That room was built with some guys that have been around here and have taken it from some of the guys that have left here. 

“Whether it’s been Tank (Jaylen McCollough) or it’s Alontae Taylor or Theo Jackson. You can see it in the room. It’s running on its own gas.”