ESPN recently listed the top sleeper candidate for every team in its post-spring Top 25. But with Tennessee being snubbed a spot from ESPN’s post-spring Top 25 rankings, the Volunteers were left off the list of predicting future breakout players.
That’s alright. We’ll go ahead and list one here.
After establishing an identity built around offense in Josh Heupel’s first three seasons at Tennessee, the Volunteers flipped the script in 2024 and quietly created one of the best defenses in the country en route to the College Football Playoffs last season. Tennessee posted the sixth-best defense in the country last season, led by first-round draft pick James Pearce Jr., third-round draft pick Omarr Norman-Lott, and future NFL Draft pick Jermod McCoy.
But with Pearce now gearing up to play with the Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee will turn to rising senior Joshua Josephs to lead the Vols’ defensive line this upcoming season.
Jospehs wasn’t some underrated player last season, so it might not be a perfect fit to call him a “sleeper” candidate. Anyone who has been following Tennessee football knows what he did for the Vols’ defense last season with nearly 40 total tackles in 13 games. But with Pearce now stepping out of the starting role, the spotlight is Josephs’ for the taking.
The 6-foot-3 EDGE rusher has been steadily improving throughout his career in Knoxville, but took a major step forward as a junior. After recording 32 total tackles in his first two seasons, Josephs burst out for 39 total tackles during the 2024 season. He also recorded a career-high nine tackles for loss for 25 yards. His sacks decreased from 3 to 1.5 from 2023 to 2024, but Josephs’ work ethic suggests that he’ll be focused on improving that number as a leading man on the defense this fall. Plus, James Pearce Jr. was also doing his thing on the Vols’ line last year.
Josephs also forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and deflected three passes during his junior campaign.
Still, though, the data backs up just how good Josephs was. With 365 total plays in 13 games, Josephs recorded the highest Pro Football Focus season grade (90.0) on the Vols’ defense and was second on the team behind only RB Dylan Sampson, who barely beat him out at a 90.2 grade.
Josephs’ 91.4 run defense grade in 2024 led all EDGE rushers in college football, including multiple first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Joshua Josephs: 91.4 Run Defense Grade in 2024
Led ALL Edge Rushers in College Football🔥@Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/Y4xRU6roe6
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 26, 2025
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Again, it may not be fair to call him a “sleeper” candidate, but no one will be sleeping on his production as he leads the Vols’ defensive front this season. Josephs will face some challenges, such as being specifically scouted and planned for as the leading man, but he has shown a willingness and motivation to continue climbing throughout his career on Rocky Top.
Josephs projects as one of the top impact players on a Tennessee defensive roster that features names such as Jermod McCoy, Tyre West, and Boo Carter in 2025.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee offseason coverage as the season draws close.
