Heading into the season, Tennessee had real questions up front on defense. The pass rush, in particular, looked like an area where the Vols would need new answers after losing key pieces off the edge.
So far, though, that part of the defense has become a calling card.
Tennessee has piled up 19 sacks, which is tied for the most in the country, and 34 tackles for loss, good for fifth nationally and best in the SEC. A big reason for that production has been defensive end Tyree Weathersby, who has emerged without making a lot of noise about it. Through this point in the year, he has 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
LEOs coach Andrew Jackson made it clear Tuesday that the staff has noticed.
“Number one, the kid is a warrior,” Jackson said. “He plays hard.
He fights through adversity. He’s one of the toughest guys on the team.
But he’s embraced the details, a good stance, a good first step, reading sets. He’s always up here taking care of his body.
He watches film. He comes in with answers.
He comments, questions. So he’s just dialed in.
His focus is unbelievable.”
Weathersby hasn’t been carrying the load alone. Jordan Norman and Mariyon Dye have also gotten off to strong starts off the edge, while Xavier Gilliam has been putting together an All-SEC caliber season on the interior alongside Daevin Hobbs, Nathan Robinson and others.
That group was tested against Texas and passed in a big way. Tennessee’s defense came away with six sacks, 10 tackles for loss and a turnover while holding the Longhorns to 20 points.
Even with that performance, Jackson sees more room to climb.
“It’s early in the season. Definitely impressed by the way we’re playing, but if you look back at the game, we could do a lot more,” Jackson said.
“Both scores that were let up in the game, we could have played better up front. So I think, yeah, we’re excited about the stuff we put on tape so far, but there’s definitely more out there for us.”
Now Tennessee turns to Auburn, another SEC opponent coming to Knoxville with a vulnerable offensive line. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
In Other News...
Tennessees Auburn Game Will Look Very Different At Neyland
Saturdays matchup with Auburn is going to have a different look at Neyland Stadium, and Tennessee has leaned all the way into the throwback feel. The Volunteers announced they will wear the Neyland Legacy version of their Smokey Grey alternates, a uniform set built around historical touches like a leather-style helmet, stencil number font and other nods to Gen. Robert Neyland and his impact on the program and the stadium that bears his name.
The field will carry the theme, too, with a vintage interlocking UT logo at midfield in place of the usual Power T. It is the kind of game-day detail that gives an already significant SEC matchup a little extra atmosphere, especially with ESPN carrying the broadcast and Neyland Stadium serving as the backdrop for a tribute that ties the present-day Vols to one of the most important figures in school history. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Got A Faizon Brandon Scare At The Worst Time
Tennessee breathed easier after Faizon Brandon took a scary hit to his throwing shoulder against Texas, because the freshman quarterback was checked by medical staff, cleared to return and then finished the game. For a team trying to keep its season on track, the timing of any quarterback concern could hardly be worse, especially with the Volunteers heading into another SEC test.
Brandons status only looked better when Tennessee released its initial SEC Student Athlete Availability Report for Auburn and his name was not on it, a strong sign the staff expects him to be available. Josh Heupel also said Brandon was healthy and ready to play, which should calm the immediate worry, even if the episode served as a reminder of how quickly the position can change for a young quarterback. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Walks Into A Tennessee Team With Something To Prove
After a few years apart, Auburn and Tennessee are back on the same field with a little more edge to the matchup than a routine early-season SEC game usually carries. For Tennessee, it comes at an awkward moment after a loss to Texas, a game that exposed some real questions on offense and defense even as the Volunteers found a few encouraging flashes on special teams. The timing makes this one feel less like a return of old rivals and more like a chance for Tennessee to reset before the league schedule settles in.
Auburn arrives with its own stake in the conversation, and the Tigers have enough recent momentum to make this more than a nostalgic reunion. Alex Golesh has Auburn playing with purpose, and Byrum Brown gives the offense a capable pilot as they walk into Knoxville looking to prove they belong in the SEC picture. For Tennessee, the challenge is simple enough to say and hard to solve: clean up the issues from last week, protect home field, and make sure a revived rivalry does not become the backdrop for another uneasy afternoon. [Read more 🡒]