Tennessee couldn’t overcome the loss of middle linebacker Keenan Pili last season. The Vols never really found their footing on defense after he was knocked out in the first game of the 2023 season. That’s not the case this year.
Tennessee ended last season giving up 335 yards per game. That wasn’t horrible, as the Vols ranked fourth best in total defense in the SEC, but their young linebackers clearly weren’t ready to assume a larger role when Pili went down. Now, the Vols seem better equipped to handle a key injury thanks mostly to their depth and a defensive line that is dominant at times.
Sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Telander would certainly be considered an upgrade compared to what the Vols had last season in Pili’s absence. In two games in which he played the majority of the snaps at middle linebacker in Pili’s absence – against Florida and Alabama – Telander has seven tackles and a tackle for a loss.
“He’s always been huge on his communication,” Tennessee linebacker Kalib Perry said as the No. 7 Vols prepare to host Kentucky on Saturday in Neyland Stadium at 7:45 EST. “Even if we’re all wrong, we’re all right, just making sure we’re all on the same page, always pushing each other.
“Obviously, Neyland is incredibly loud…so just always harping on communication, making sure that everyone gets the call and any checks that we have, just making sure we go back and forth so that we’re all on the same page. So he’s been great at it. And, you know, he continues to grow from it and he’s doing awesome.”
So is Perry.
In a limited role, the junior has 12 tackles, a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble. Seven of those tackles have come in the Florida and Alabama game after Pili was knocked out in the first quarter against the Gators.
The Vols have shown more of a traditional defensive look recently with three linebackers. That, again, speaks to the Vols’ depth on its roster as that was clearly not an option last season even if the situation dictated as much. The strength also lies in that Tennessee’s three linebackers are incredibly versatile and can play different roles within the Vols’ defense.
“To give a different look for offenses, it just makes it a little tricky because they don’t know what we’re going to come out in or different packages, but it’s been fun because all of us just play free,” Perry said. “We all communicate with each other all the time. So just being able to have three backers in the game, we just get to rock and roll and go play.”
This game may be a little personal for Perry, considering he is from Georgetown, Ky., which is near Kentucky’s campus in Lexington.
“I’ve played against a couple of the guys on UK’s team,” Perry said. “We’re still boys at the end of the day, but it doesn’t really mean anything too crazy. It’s just another game…We have to treat each week like it’s a championship game because you never know what opponent’s going to step up.
“So we go in every week knowing that we got to handle business and handle that business that week, and then we’ll handle the next business next week.”
