Tennessee football has put together one of the best defensive fronts in the country over the past couple of seasons. In 2024, the group was a key reason the Vols made a push to the College Football Playoffs.
However, UT losing some key pieces. On the interior alone, Tennessee will be without Omarr Norman-Lott, Omari Thomas and Elijah Simmons.
The Vols do return some experienced defensive tackles, though. This includes Bryson Eason, who made the trip to SEC Media Days to represent the program. During his media availability, he tabbed another returning lineman, Daevin Hobbs, as a potential ‘breakout’ player up front.
“I think Daevin is going to have a breakout season,” Eason said. “He’s been working. I see him a lot of times putting some extra work in with a lot of extra guys. I think Daevin is really going to help us a lot and have a huge impact on this season.”
Hobbs is going into his junior year after two seasons as a depth piece on the line. This past season, he played in all 13 games while producing 20 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. As a freshman, he notched 14 tackles and a tackle for loss.
As he gears up for a much bigger role that could even see him being used as a starter, he’ll be changing numbers, as well. Out with his old No. 53 and in with the new, sleek No. 5.
His teammate, Eason, thinks the uniform change will look much better.
“I do,” Eason said on if he likes the new number. “I think it’s going to look a lot better than 53.”
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Given the turmoil at quarterback for Tennessee this year, having breakout players across the defense will be extremely important. The Vols are going to need to cover up any potential offensive woes with a strong defense, just as it did in 2024.
Setting the standard of an elite defense is exactly what Josh Heupel wanted to do at UT, as well. He’s aware of the history on that side of the ball in Knoxville and wasn’t okay with how poorly his defenses played when he first got to campus.
Now, he’s in a position where he’s able to be excited about what his defensive coordinator, Tim Banks, has built.
“Defensively, extremely excited,” Heupel said. “A year ago you guys maybe heard the quote of me saying that elite defense is required, and it’s our history at the University of Tennessee. It’s the home of Reggie White, Al Wilson, Eric Berry, three guys that may be one of, if not the best, players at their position in the history of the game.
“Our defensive staff, led by Tim Banks, but our entire staff has done a great job. A year ago, you look at us, and we’re top 10 in the country in six defensive statistical categories. Since we arrived at Tennessee, lead the league in tackles for loss. Could not be more excited about what we’ve done but also the future on that side of the football with the leadership and the players that we have inside of our program.”
