Josh Heupel assesses Tennessee's linebackers, first-team defense after scrimmage

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel is pleased with the progress his linebackers have made this offseason. After a scrimmage on Sunday, Heupel stressed the increased depth the Volunteers possess at the position heading into the 2022 season.

“The linebacker position, we are deeper because of young guys that we’ve added inside of our program and the health of Juwan (Mitchell),” the coach said. “The continued development of the guys that were playing last year makes that a deeper unit. In Year 2, like a lot of our positions, I do think they have a better understanding of what we’re doing defensively. We’ve been better in our gap fits here the last four-day block in particular.”

After transferring this past offseason from Texas, Mitchell missed the final nine games of the year due to a shoulder injury. The year prior in 2020 with the Longhorns, he started in eight of 10 games to finish with 62 tackles (4.5 for loss) and a fumble recovery.

The Volunteers also bring back last season’s leading tackler Jeremy Banks and several veterans. In addition to Mitchell, Heupel pointed to Banks and a couple of others who have been stepping up to make the defense as a whole better this fall.

“I thought the (first team) defense for the most part today did a really good job,” he said. “I think they’ve tackled well here as of late. Juwan being back adds experience, adds playmaking ability. Jeremy (Banks) has continued to grow. (Aaron) Beasley and (Solon) Page, those guys have taken major steps in the offseason and they’ve shown that through a majority of training camp.”

Defense is a big point of emphasis for Tennessee this season, and the linebackers will definitely play a key role in helping it reach its goal. Despite ranking third in the SEC in total offense last year, the Volunteers finished 12th in both points and yards allowed. Heupel knows the offense will once again be explosive this year, but needs the defense to take the next step forward to improve in Year 2.

Tennessee is set to kick off the 2022 season on Sept. 1 against Ball State.