The Tennessee Volunteers head into Fayetteville carrying a long injury list, and Kedric Golston II is on it again.
Tennessee is set to face Arkansas for the third straight year, and for the second time in that three-year stretch, the Vols will have to do it on the road. The bigger story, though, is the shape of Tennessee’s roster. This is one of the most beat-up groups in the SEC right now, with several players already expected to be out for the season.
Golston II is among the names ruled out for this matchup, and he stands out for one specific reason: he is the eighth player on the out list, and the only one there without a reported season-ending injury.
He was first listed as out last week, which kept him off the field against Auburn. His return still doesn’t look close.
While there is no firm timetable for how long he’ll miss, Tennessee appears to have already made its call for this week, and it would be a surprise if that changed by Saturday. If the staff was comfortable labeling him out in the midweek report, there’s little reason to expect a different decision later in the week.
Golston II has already contributed this season, logging a solo tackle and an assist, along with two sacks. The freshman has shown enough to make himself a player with a real future in Knoxville. He may not be one of the must-have pieces on the injury report the way some others are, but he does matter in the rotation.
His absence leaves Tennessee even thinner along the edge, which has opened the door for other players to step in. Even so, the Volunteers have managed to hold up well on that side of the ball. The defensive front and the players working off the EDGE have been strong so far, helping fuel a unit that has been regarded as one of the best defenses in the country.
In Other News...
Rick Barnes Sends A Clear Message About Tennessees Defensive Standard
At UT Media Day, Rick Barnes made it clear that Tennessees defensive reputation is not built on simply finding ready-made stoppers in recruiting. Instead, the Volunteers coach said the program teaches that side of the floor, with most players arriving thinking of themselves first as offensive pieces and then learning quickly that defense, rebounding and ball control are the real currency for minutes.
Barnes pointed to the way players have grown into that standard over time, using development as proof that the identity can survive roster turnover. Even as the lineup changes, the message stays the same in Knoxville: if a player wants to stay on the floor, the defensive work has to show up first. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Heads To Arkansas With One Much Bigger Question Than Uniforms
Tennessee heads to Fayetteville for an SEC road test at Razorback Stadium, and the Vols have already settled one small detail for the trip: theyll be in all-white uniforms. The bigger storyline, of course, is what the offense looks like with George MacIntyre expected to get the start because of Faizon Brandons shoulder injury, a development that shifts far more attention than any uniform combination ever could.
Even with that uncertainty under center, Tennessee brings a defense that has made life miserable for opposing offenses, entering the game as the nations leader in team sacks. That gives the Vols a clear path to stay in control if the quarterback situation settles quickly, but it also puts added pressure on a road offense that will need to do enough against Arkansas to let the defense keep dictating terms. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Just Made An Early Impression On Key In-State DL Target
Joshua Lanes first trip to Knoxville gave Tennessee a chance to make a real early impression on one of the states more important defensive line prospects. The Memphis Central standout was on campus for game day at Neyland Stadium, and with the Vols already extending an offer, the visit added another layer to a recruitment that is starting to take shape.
Lane still has a few steps left before he narrows things down, including an official visit to Tennessee in November and stops with other programs such as Alabama, Oklahoma State and Oregon. He is hoping to sort through those visits and camp discussions before making a decision in December, which leaves the Vols plenty of time to keep building on what they showed him in his first look at their home atmosphere. [Read more 🡒]