Tennessee football may be without one of its projected key pieces on the defensive line to start the season. Daevin Hobbs, a junior defensive tackle, is set to miss multiple weeks with a foot injury. This was first reported by VolQuest, and a source confirmed to RTI.
Hobbs was not a participant in the Vols’ second preseason scrimmage held on Friday morning. With the season opener less than two weeks away, his timeline for return could be after the season is already underway. This continues a string of unfortunate injuries for Hobbs, as well. He has battled shoulder injuries previously in his career, which have forced him to miss portions of past offseasons.
Hobbs was in the mix alongside Bryson Eason and Jaxson Moi for one of the two starting defensive tackle spots on the team. Even if he did come off the bench, he was on track to get a large number of snaps inside the rotation used by Rodney Garner and the Vols’ defensive front.
It also brings up potential questions involving UT’s depth on the interior. Tennessee could now have to ask Jamal Wallace, Josh Schell, Ethan Utley, Isaiah Campbell and Nathan Robinson to potentially step into larger roles despite not having much, if any, experience at the SEC level.
More From RTI: Josh Heupel Said This Receiver Made ‘Big Plays’ Down the Field During Tennessee’s Scrimmage
“Hobbs, he’s a long, athletic kid that can bend, that can really run first,” Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner said prior to the injury during fall camp. “The things that you really want. You wish for Hobbs, he’s been stunted from a power explosiveness with two offseasons because of shoulder surgeries. You sit there and you’re like, always wondering, what if? What would he be if he had those two offseasons, what would he be right now?
“But he’s a very talented guy. We need for him to take that next step. And so far in camp, he’s done a really good job. Obviously he’s a lot like some older kids I’ve had, like (Richard) Seymour and (Marcus) Stroud. He’s a tall kid, so he has to really be conscientious on making sure that he’s playing great pad level, especially as an interior guy. So, like I was telling him, we were watching film last night if you think you’re low, get lower. You ain’t never going to be low enough just consistently playing behind his pad and playing with great fundamentals.”
As a sophomore in 2024, Hobbs was a piece of Tennessee’s rotation on the front. In 13 games, he recorded 20 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He played 209 total snaps on the year and played in the College Football Playoff game against Ohio State.
In his first year, Hobbs played in 10 games on the 2023 team. He posted 14 tackles and a tackle for loss with no sacks.
Hobbs was a five-star recruit out of high school, according to On3, and a four-star on 247 and Rivals. Both On3 and 247 considered him the No. 4 defensive lineman in the class. He is from Concord, North Carolina, and played for Jay M. Robinson High School.
