Tennessee Football will see a familiar face in Starkville this weekend when the Vols take on Mississippi State in SEC action. Tennessee will play against Jalen Smith, a linebacker who transferred out of the Vols’ program during the winter portal before the playoff game at Ohio State last season.
The 6-foot-2 linebacker spent his first two collegiate seasons at Tennessee. He was a three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. Smith earned a redshirt in his first season with Tennessee, playing in five games during the 2023 season. He then played in all 12 regular-season games for the Volunteers last season in 2024.
During his two seasons at Tennessee, Smith racked up 38 total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He began his 2024 season as a third-string linebacker but was moved to a backup rotational role after Keenan Pili suffered a season-ending injury. He was a third-down specialist for the Vols, playing in coverage on clear passing downs.
Smith is the Bulldogs’ fourth-leading tackler through the first four games of the season. He’s got 17 total tackles, four of which have been solo, and half a tackle for loss. The Georgia native tallied a season-high seven tackles in the Bulldogs’ season-opener against Southern Miss in Week 1. He then earned five tackles against No. 12 Arizona State, one against Alcorn State, and four against Northern Illinois this past Saturday.
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Mississippi State’s team earned Smith’s respect during the Vols’ 33-14 win over the Bulldogs in Knoxville last season.
“I would definitely say how they fought,” Smith said about facing Mississippi State, courtesy of Andy Hodges/Mississippi State on SI. “They are going to bring the fight always, and that is something I wanted to be a part of because I am going to bring that energy as well.”
After going 2-10 last season, the Bulldogs are off to a 4-0 start to the 2025 season with an upset win over No. 12 Arizona State in the second week of the season. This weekend’s game against Tennessee will be the Bulldogs’ SEC opener.
Mississippi State has the fourth-ranked defense in the conference this season. The Bulldogs are giving up just 11.75 points per game through their first four contests.
Mississippi State will host No. 15 Tennessee at 4:15 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon in Starkville, MS. Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for live, on-site coverage of the game next weekend.
