Tennessee football made one of its most pivotal offseason moves back in December, parting ways with defensive coordinator Tim Banks and bringing in veteran play-caller Jim Knowles. While the move was clearly aimed at fixing a defense that had regressed in 2025, it may already be paying off in another key area: recruiting.
One name to watch closely is Kenneth Simon, a four-star linebacker out of Brentwood Academy and a top target for the Vols in the 2027 class. He’s not just another highly rated prospect-he’s the son of former Tennessee linebacker Kevin Simon, a two-time All-SEC selection who played in Knoxville from 2001 to 2005.
Kevin Simon joined The Eric Ainge Show this week and didn’t hold back when talking about the shift in Tennessee’s defensive leadership-and what it means for his son’s recruitment.
“I can say it like this-my son was not going to play for Tim Banks,” Simon said bluntly. “He just wasn’t.
(There was) no identity, and he wasn’t gonna play for him. I love that Jim Knowles is here.
And Tennessee is definitely back in the mix now (for Kenneth Simon) with Jim Knowles’ presence. So I’m really excited about where the defense is going.”
That’s a strong endorsement for Knowles and a telling statement about the state of the defense under Banks. While Banks helped guide the Vols to a top-15 defensive ranking and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, the wheels came off last season. Tennessee’s defense slipped to 92nd in scoring defense in 2025, prompting head coach Josh Heupel to make a change.
For Kevin Simon, the issue wasn’t just about stats. It was about identity-or the lack of one. He believes Knowles brings a new edge to the defensive unit, something that’s been missing in recent years.
“Giving the defense an identity, a personality,” Simon said. “And I know things have gone well, but we haven’t necessarily had that, defensively.
It’s been led by Rodney Garner, when it’s been at its best, just because he’s the best coach. I mean, I think he’s the best coach on the staff period.
He had those guys on the defensive line going.”
Garner, Tennessee’s veteran defensive line coach, remains a key figure in the program and a steadying presence amid the transition. Simon’s praise for Garner underscores just how much respect he commands within the program and among former players.
As for Kenneth Simon, he’s firmly on Tennessee’s radar. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound linebacker recently released a top four that includes Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. According to the 247Sports Composite, he’s ranked as the No. 252 overall player in the 2027 class, the No. 15 linebacker nationally, and the No. 11 player in the state of Tennessee.
The younger Simon clearly has options, but Knowles’ arrival in Knoxville has reshaped the landscape. Tennessee is back in serious contention for one of its legacy recruits-and that speaks volumes about what this new chapter on defense could mean for the program’s future.
For now, the Vols are still early in the 2027 cycle, but the message is clear: with Jim Knowles calling the shots and Rodney Garner anchoring the trenches, Tennessee is looking to build a defense with both teeth and identity. And that might just be enough to bring another Simon back to Rocky Top.