#17 Vols Carry Defensive Momentum Into Auburn Week

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee's defensive front has embraced the opportunity to prove itself this season, and that confidence was on display again on the practice field Tuesday as the No. 17/17 Volunteers continued preparations for Saturday's matchup with Auburn (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The Vols' front produced six sacks and 10 tackles for loss against No. 1 Texas last Saturday, including 2.5 sacks from senior Tyree Weathersby, and Tennessee currently leads the country with 19 sacks through four games.

For LEOs coach Andrew Jackson, the production is a reflection of a group that has bought into the defense and pushed one another throughout the season.

"They've embraced the defense," Jackson said during Tuesday's local media availability. "They've taken ownership, they've fought every day to prove themselves. You know, we had a lot of doubt coming about the d-line and edge positions, and they've just fought and tried to detail up. They've all competed well against each other, as well, in practice every day."

Despite the early success, Jackson said the group is focused on the plays it can still improve, pointing to the two touchdowns Texas scored as motivation to continue chasing a higher standard.

"As well as we played, there's two or three plays we want back, and maybe they don't score," Jackson said. "I think that they know we're out there chasing that more so than the past success. We're chasing that itty bit of perfection."

That mindset has helped fuel a defensive front that has seen contributions from throughout the group. Weathersby has established himself as a consistent pass-rush threat, while sophomore Mariyon Dye has taken a step forward with increased confidence and attention to detail.

"I think the number one thing for Mariyon is the confidence," Jackson said. "He's playing a lot more relaxed. He's not putting as much pressure on himself. And again, just the small details, right step, good stance, proper eye placement. Just repeating those things over and over again has led to him playing better and more confident."

Jackson also pointed to the versatility of Jordan Norman, who has contributed both inside and outside, while junior Xavier Gilliam has emerged as one of Tennessee's top defensive playmakers with four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss through four games.

As the defense looks to carry its momentum forward, Tennessee's offense is using the Texas game as a source of motivation. Pass game coordinator/wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope said his receivers have responded with greater urgency in practice, particularly after seeing opportunities they created against the Longhorns.

"I think after that game, you saw a different type of urgency from the guys to get open, focus on detail and technique, and really use that feeling to transform them into being the players they want to be," Pope said.

That urgency will be important as the Vols continue to protect freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon. Pope said the receivers have a responsibility to account for the pass rush by getting into their routes with greater efficiency.

"As a wideout, you've got to understand that I'm not only trying to defeat the DBs, but you've got to defeat the D-line too," Pope said. "So, we always try to preach there is an internal clock that we have to have. We can't be wasting a lot of time."

The Vols now turn their attention to Auburn, which enters Saturday's matchup 3-1 and will play its first true road game of the season. Jackson expects another physical challenge from the Tigers.

"Man, every week is a challenge in this conference, so there's no laydown," Jackson said. "They're going to be physical. They're going to try to run us off the ball. The quarterback is phenomenal with his legs, the running backs run hard. They're going to try and knock the snot out of us, and we got to be ready. Last week was last week, but this is a new challenge.

"It's a new Saturday, and we've got to defend the home turf better."

Full comments from Jackson and Pope can be viewed below.

Tennessee Football Press Conference | Sept. 29, 2026

LEOs Coach Andrew Jackson

On how players have been able to move around the d-line to create pass rush opportunities…
"They've embraced the defense. They've taken ownership, they've fought every day to prove themselves. You know, we had a lot of doubt coming about the d-line and edge positions, and they've just fought and tried to detail up. They've all competed well against each other, as well, in practice every day."

On if it is gratifying to see that the team is leading the country in sacks…
"You know, 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. Both scores that were let up in the game, we could have played better upfront. So I think, yeah we're excited about what we have put on tape so far, but there's definitely more out there for us."

On what Tyree Weathersby does so well that makes him effective…
"Number one, the kid is a warrior. 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."

On what growth sophomore Mariyon Dye has had so far this season…
"I think the number one thing for Mariyon is the confidence. He's playing a lot more relaxed. He's not putting as much pressure on himself. And again, just the small details, right step, good stance, proper eye placement. Just repeating those things over and over again has led to him playing better and more confident."

On the defensive line's confidence after their performance versus Texas…
"Bigger than football, Coach (William Inge) is one of our brothers. He's like a dad to me, so that was extra motivation going into the game. I think our guys know, more so than ever that you never know when the play is, as well as we played, there's two or three plays we want back, and maybe they don't score. I think that they know we're out there chasing that more so than the past success. We're chasing that itty bit of perfection. You never know when the play is that you want back or when you have to be where you're supposed to be. We're constantly chasing that, and we've had good competition within the room. We've had multiple guys with multiple sacks and I think they're all chasing that greatness. And they're working together; they communicate well, they love each other, they celebrate with each other, they come back to the sideline and give each other good information. It's more of a brotherhood than ever."

On how Jordan Norman has looked so far this season…
"It was a changeup scheme-wise for him. He's a great learner. He's got more tools than we thought he did when we first evaluated him out of the portal. He's got a calmness in his rush, he's got an electric get off off the line of scrimmage, he recognizes sets well, he plays the run well. He's been phenomenal for us (with) his versatility playing inside and outside."

On if he expected this kind of performance to come out of Xavier Gilliam…
"We all talk about potential, right? I thought he had the potential, but where he's taken his game now, I didn't see that coming. I knew him as a high character kid, a hard worker, but what he's putting on tape, I can't sit here and say I saw this greatness. He's still got a ton he can work on and get better at, even though he's playing very well, so I'm excited for him."

On how the communication has been so far this season…
"I think the biggest thing with this group is that they ask questions. We don't really ever hit the grass or leave a meeting with them not knowing. They come in early and try to get the information, they're making us coach them through every detail. They don't leave any stone unturned, there's no gray area, so when they get out there, they're super confident. Also having a guy like Amare Campbell come in and know the scheme, and (Xavier Gilliam), they're able to kind of re-explain it, maybe better player to player. Amare also has those on-the-field answers that are built in, where he could get us in the right situation or get us out of a down."

On the challenge Auburn's offensive front and QB Byrum Brown will present…
"Man, every week is a challenge in this conference, so there's no laydown. They're going to be physical. They're going to try to run us off the ball. The quarterback is phenomenal with his legs, the running backs run hard. They're going to try and knock the snot out of us, and we got to be ready. Last week was last week, but this is a new challenge. It's a new Saturday, and we've got to defend the home turf better."

Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Kelsey Pope

On adjusting wide receivers to help Faizon Brandon against the pass rush…
"I think you obviously try to make adjustments, play call, depth, things like that. As a wideout, you've got to understand that I'm not only trying to defeat the DBs, but you've got to defeat the D-line too. So, we always try to preach there is an internal clock that we have to have. We can't be wasting a lot of time. In this league, every single game is going to be that type of urgency, so that's typically the type of stuff you've got to get to."

On what was correctable regarding the last play of the game against Texas…
"You've got to be present in the moment. You've got guys running back. I understand the situation to be aware, it's the last play of the game. Give yourself a shot, sprint back, do everything you can to get back, and you give yourself a chance. Not only them, we talked as a coaching staff. There's a lot we can correct and do a better job of, and being able to put them in position. The issue with things like that is when you don't have timeouts, a lot of that is on the fly. So, our emphasis is in practice. We've got to continue to put them in unique situations like that. Because a lot of it is on the fly, so they're having to problem-solve and use their brain on the fly to be able to make the best decisions. But a lot of times, if you just strain and get back to the line of scrimmage, mix in your own size, pay attention to the little things, you at least give yourself a shot. So, we've got a lot we can clean up, player side and coaching side, that we talked through."

On the unit's ability to win against the secondary…
"That's a great point. It's kind of hitting close to home because I talked to the receivers about this. When they got back up Sunday, man, they were hurt. A lot of times, as coaches, you try to act like Superman and eliminate vulnerabilities. But I told them I went through a bunch of emotions after that game, probably more than I ever have in my career. Not just because of the magnitude of the game. But I think you pair that with, you see these guys fight strain, you see them grow up and mature, and you just want it so bad for them. So, I think getting those guys to understand that, like, you don't have an opportunity to overcome games like that a lot. And when you do get a chance, we've got to really take advantage of it. So just having those guys practice with that same type of urgency, that same feeling, and using that to really motivate and fuel them in everyday habits. Routes on air, when we're going one-on-one, like I can't forget about that thought. It's got to be a lasting impression on you, and I think it changes your behavior. I say all that to say, I think after that game, you saw a different type of urgency from the guys to get open, focus on detail and technique, and really use that feeling to transform them into being the players they want to be."

On the team motivating Faizon Brandon to maintain confidence after Texas loss…
"They can give him their own personal experiences. A lot of these guys come to this level and have never lost a game before. A lot of them come in this level, and they've always been the best player on the team. So, I think our guys can do a good job of just saying, 'I was the same way in high school, I got here, and it was different.' I think that'll continue to build a relationship, but Faizon's (Brandon) done a good job. He's a warrior, he's a hard worker, he's really tough mentally. Him and the rest of the offense, those guys had a great look in their eye today. We had a great practice today, and I think they're trending to go bounce back the way that we know we can and we will."

On running a three-wide-receiver set and development of Radarious Jackson…
"Radarious (Jackson) is growing a lot, and I can say that about a lot of them. You know, outside of the result that you don't like, when you pull up the tape, I talked about the kind of emotions that I went through after losing a game like that, but what was gratifying was we had guys open all over the field. They did a good job of working technique. They did a good job of competing and dominating not only in pass game but in run game. I was at least pleased, again, we had a ton to clean up, but I was at least pleased with the way that they competed. And after you turn on the tape and show the guys and they see it, it's able to give them some confidence, like guys like Radarious (Jackson). So, as long as they keep competing and keep doing their job at a high level and paying attention to detail, they'll continue to get rewarded with playing time and things like that. So, I've been proud of him and a couple of the other guys that have still been growing, that I'm proud of also, but it's a collective, and when you have a couple of guys that do it the right way, it's easy for the younger guys to follow suit."