Maryville High School has won a lot of football games and many a TSSAA 6A State Championship over the last 25 years. But the East Tennessee football power has not produced many SEC football players. However, a pair of former Maryville teammates will reunite this season on the Tennessee football team.
Mike Bethea and DJ Burks were each on the same defense at Maryville back in 2021 where Bethea totaled 69 tackles and 8.5 sacks on is way to earning The Daily Times Defensive Player of the Year honors. Burks was not too shabby himself, totaling 59 tackles and one interception as a senior. A year earlier, Burks totaled 101 tackles and nine interceptions.
With Bethea and Burks on its defense, Maryville went 13-1 in both 2020 and 2021, losing to Oakland in the 6A State Championship game both years.
Run it back! @dj1burks 🍊#GBO pic.twitter.com/CKIB4Wx7en
— Mike Bethea II (@0pr0blemz) January 18, 2026
Neither player started their college careers at Tennessee but found their way to Knoxville before their senior seasons. Bethea played two seasons at Maryville College before transferring to Tennessee as a walk-on before the 2024 season.
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Bethea has played very little in his two seasons at Tennessee, totaling four tackles in just three games played at defensive end. Tennessee did but Bethea on scholarship earlier this month with the scholarship limits expanding in college football due to the House Settlement.
Burks played the first four seasons of his college career at Appalachian State where he has spent much of the last two years as a starter at safety. He totaled 73 tackles, five pass deflections, two forced fumbles and two interceptions during his redshirt junior season. Back in 2024, Burks totaled 58 tackles.
The 6-foot, 200-pound safety entered the transfer portal ahead of his final collegiate season and committed to his hometown school.
Neither Bethea or Burks project to make a major impact for the Vols in 2026 though Burks could potentially earn a backup safety spot and provide depth and some situational snaps.
One Response
Ryan, the word is reunite not re-unit. You’re supposedly a journalist and you don’t understand how this word is spelled? Are you not at least using grammar and spellcheck?