Prior to the 1970 season, Priest was elected team captain. Tennessee's new head coach, Bill Battle, hired two talented assistants, Larry Jones and Buddy Bennett, who encouraged a more aggressive style of play."FSU Names Larry Jones Head Football Coach," Palm Beach Post, January 3, 1971, p. E4.John Adams, "Defense Didn't Rest for Priest, Vols in 1970," Knoxville News Sentinel, May 31, 2008. Accessed at the Internet Archive, August 24, 2014. Tennessee's 1970 defense registered an SEC-record 36 team interceptions. Tennessee safety Bobby Majors and Priest were first and second in the NCAA in interceptions that year, with ten and nine, respectively."Air Force Tests Tennessee Vols," Wilmington (NC) Star News, January 1, 1971. During the third quarter of the Vols' 17-6 win over Georgia Tech, Priest intercepted a pass from Eddie McAshan at the Tennessee one yard line to snuff out a long drive."Scott's Arm Gets Tennessee By Limping Georgia Tech, 17-6," Daytona Beach Morning Journal, October 11, 1970. In Tennessee's 24-0 win over Alabama, Priest intercepted a pass from Tide quarterback Neb Hayden to set up the Vols' first touchdown, and finished the game with a school record three interceptions (part of a school team record eight interceptions)."Vols Humble Mighty Tide," Ocala Star-Banner, October 18, 1970. In Tennessee's 45-0 rout of Kentucky, Priest intercepted a pass from Bernie Scruggs to again set up the Vols' first score. He finished the season with 57 tackles (33 solo), including two sacks, to go along with his nine interceptions,"Tennessee Career Football Statistics, UTSports.com. Retrieved: 24 August 2014. and was named All-SEC."Tennessee Accepts Bid To Play In Sugar Bowl," Florence (AL) Times Daily, November 22, 1970.
