Tennessee has no choice but to move on without middle linebacker Keenan Pili, who was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. That means some young linebackers had better be ready.
That starts with sophomore Jeremiah Telander, who has played extensively this season and handled the middle linebacker position for most of the game against Florida after Pili exited the field early in the first quarter.
“Everybody’s got great confidence in him,” Heupel said of Telander, “but the other guys as well, defensively, played extremely well. Gap integrity, communication was solid. There’s a couple of things that we weren’t right on. We can clean those things up, but all in all, have great confidence in all of those guys.”
Heupel said he wasn’t yet sure who would handle the helmet communication with Tennessee’s coaches. That was previously Pili’s job. Telander could assume that role or the Vols could go with outside linebacker Arion Carter.
After Telander, the Vols would likely turn to Kalib Perry or Jalen Wright if they need another linebacker. Edwin Spillman might be an option eventually, but he’s been sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
“We’ve played some of those guys throughout the course of it, have rotated there and feel good about all of those guys that you’ve seen in action already,” Heupel said. “Kalib and Jalen, those guys will continue to play.”
Tennessee’s linebackers will have the unenviable job of defending Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe this week when the Vols host the Crimson Tide at 3:30 EST on Saturday in Neyland Stadium. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound quarterback runs with as much speed and power as any quarterback in the nation.
“He’s been extremely accurate with the football,” Heupel said. “You have to be mindful and not let him escape. His athleticism, when he does escape, is special. You put all those pieces together (and) you’ve got to do a great job of having rush integrity, getting off a block and making a play when he tucks it.”
