In a bold move to revitalize their defense, Tennessee's head coach Josh Heupel has brought in Jim Knowles as the new defensive coordinator. Knowles wasted no time leveraging the transfer portal to reshape the roster, pulling in talent from his previous stint at Penn State.
Among the key additions is linebacker Amare Campbell, who has been spotlighted as an 'under-the-radar' transfer by 247Sports. Despite not being the most talked-about acquisition, Campbell's potential has caught the eye of insiders, marking him as a potential All-SEC candidate.
At 6-foot, 230 pounds, Campbell might not have the typical size, but his stats speak volumes. Across his career at North Carolina and Penn State, he's racked up 193 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks.
Campbell's impressive junior season saw him lead the Nittany Lions with 103 tackles and three sacks, showcasing his ability to make a significant impact on the field. Now, with one year of eligibility left, he's set to join a robust linebacker corps under the guidance of returning coach William Inge.
The competition will be fierce, with seasoned players like senior Arion Carter and rising star Edwin Spillman in the mix. The group also includes Jeremiah Telander, Jadon Perlotte, Jaedon Harmon, and Jordan Burns. Adding to the depth are highly-touted four-star freshmen Brayden Rouse and TJ White, making this position group one of the most formidable on the team.
As spring practice kicks off, all eyes will be on how these new additions integrate and elevate Tennessee's defensive game, setting the stage for what could be an exciting season ahead.