Tennessee football’s fall camp ahead of the 2025 season concluded its opening four practices on Sunday morning.
While there is only so much that is open to the media (typically 15-20 minutes per session), it does give us a small insight into what the team looks like. However, it’s important to note that there’s plenty that goes on behind closed doors that isn’t accounted for.
Here are three thoughts on the defense at this point.
More From RTI: Three Thoughts on Tennessee Football’s Offense From the Opening Four Practices
The linebacker room is top-level
What Josh Heupel and William Inge have built up in the Vols’ linebacker room is nothing short of elite. The top unit of juniors, Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander, are two of the most experienced and proven backers in the conference.
Behind those top two, a group of second-year players, Edwin Spillman and Jordan Burn,s are expected to play significant roles. Both battled through injury a year ago, but have gotten nothing but praise from Inge and company this offseason.
Even the group of incoming freshmen has been great. Jadon Perlotte and Jaedon Harmon come in with extreme hype and seem to be living up to it. Brenden Anes is also cementing himself as a depth piece.
When you look at the great defenses the likes of Alabama and Georgia have put together on championship teams, the linebacker position has always been extremely strong. As Tennessee continues to build an elite defense of its own, its following in those footsteps.
“We’ve been definitely very pleased with the depth that we have in the room thus far,” Inge said. “When it comes to the younger backers, primarily from Jadon Perlotte, Jaedon Harmon, who were not here in the spring, it’s been a pleasant surprise to see those guys. Probably No. 1, from a preparation standpoint, but also from a skill standpoint, seeing the things that they bring to the table. It’s been really good when you throw in Brenden Anes, who actually got to be here during the winter period, the bowl prep and in the spring, it just adds to the depth and the competition in the room.”
Colton Hood can play a big role
There’s uncertainty around one of Tennessee’s cornerback positions. While Rickey Gibson III is locked in as one of the starters, the health of Jermod McCoy is leaving the other spot open. If McCoy is healthy, there’s an argument that he’s the best defensive back in the SEC. If he needs time before returning to the field, he’ll need a replacement.
This spring, Heupel addressed this potential issue. He went out and got Colton Hood out of Colorado. Hood also played a season at Auburn and has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
This fulfills two jobs for the Vols. One, Hood can develop into a valuable piece of the secondary for UT as he progresses in his career. Two, he’s already looking the part of a starting corner.
Even if Hood isn’t asked to start if McCoy can get healthy in a hurry, he’ll likely be the first guy off the bench with Jalen McMurray to relieve the starters.
“He’s smart. He’s accountable. He’s really mature,” Heupel said. “He’s got some leadership traits that I think, as he’s here, will continue to show up more and more each day, each block of our season and ultimately our offseason, too. He’s got position flexibility, he’s got great understanding of the game, he retains information really well and he’s played and he’s got experience. So he came in here learning what it takes to be a Vol, what a great teammate look like here. And I’m excited to see him continue to grow on the field and off the field. Inside of this program.”
🏈🦅@Colton_Hood2023 | #GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/cBxpAjCKCW
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 3, 2025
Young defensive linemen look ready to go
Tennessee is going to have to replace a bit of exiting talent on its impressive defensive front. James Pearce Jr., Omarr Norman-Lott, Omari Thomas and Elijah Simmons are all starting their pro careers. Jayson Jenkins is also off to Florida State through the portal.
While there is a good bit of returning production, there will be plenty of young players asked to take a step this year. This includes true freshmen Isiaiah Campbell and Ethan Utley.
So far, those freshmen, among others, and even some returning talent, look primed to have breakout years. Rodney Garner and Levorn ‘Chop’ Harbin have been nothing but elite position coaches, and I don’t see a reason to worry about their units despite the departing production.
“Last year, as you’ve seen throughout the years with Coach (Garner), no drop off within each wave of rotation,” Vols defensive tackle Jaxson Moi said. “We’ve got that same confidence within this new group of D-Linemen. I’m excited for the new guys that we have in the building to come step up and be a part of it. It’s going to be a great year.”
