Depth Excites Vols Defense Ahead of Opener Against Chattanooga

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With the first week of classes wrapping up and only eight days remaining until Tennessee football’s 2024 season opener, the anticipation builds every day the Vols suit up for practice on Haslam Field. After Friday’s morning session on the practice turf, members of UT’s defensive unit spoke to local media and discussed preparations for the Aug. 31 matchup with Chattanooga as the Vols go through a ‘mock game week’ that concludes this weekend.

Entering his fourth year as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, Tim Banks detailed his excitement for the unit’s depth at all three levels that has been built up over his time in Knoxville.

“I think the one thing I am excited about is what I mentioned when I came, the first time we had this press conference, is just our overall depth,” Banks said. “I know we talked a lot about our front and all the moving parts we have there, but as I said earlier, I feel really good about the linebacker position. I think we have a lot of guys that we can plug and play. Then with the secondary, we are young, but I think we are talented … I just think the overall depth we have, we can get a lot of guys in and give guys opportunities to showcase their skillset.”

Redshirt senior linebacker Keenan Pili spoke to media on Friday as well and is gearing up for his first game action inside Neyland Stadium. The seventh-year standout brings a detail-oriented approach to his second season with the Vols after missing the final 12 games of the 2023 campaign due to injury.

“Coach Inge talks about it all the time in our linebacker room, being the most prepared players on the field,” Pilie said. “I feel like that’s something I really dove into, especially with my brothers in the room and on defense. I think that’s been a real big focus.

“Coming into my last year, playing college football for this long, I’m just excited to have one more opportunity to do so, to do it in front of the fans here in Tennessee, to be able to put on a show. It’s just exciting because we’ve put in a lot of effort this offseason. I can’t wait.”