Three most important players on defense -- Xavier Gilliam, Jordan Norman, Kayin Lee

[Freak]

Agree or disagree?

Top Three Most Important Defensive Players for Tennessee Football in 2026 | Rocky Top Insider

A look at the three players that will be most critical to the success of Tennessee football during the 2026 season.

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[WillisWG]

XG more than the other two, Hobbs's injury bug is bound to reappear.

 

[jasonvol18]

Having a really good Corner with SEC experience on the other side of Redmond is huge. Lee COULD end up the better of the 2 and Redmond will be a beast. Lee played 328 coverage snaps at Auburn last year and didn't give up a single TD. The thought of possibly having 2 lockdown corners that you can't throw away from would be huge!

 

[superdave1984]

Farooq

 

[#1fulmerite]

Feels like ‘98.

 

[AllVol11717]

Agree or disagree?

Top Three Most Important Defensive Players for Tennessee Football in 2026 | Rocky Top Insider

A look at the three players that will be most critical to the success of Tennessee football during the 2026 season.

www.rockytopinsider.com

I’d add Campbell to the list too. I have a feeling his knowledge of the system is going to go a long way in helping make the right adjustments and call outs to keep the defense in position.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Yes yes and yes. Concerns about DL.

 

[cherokeeeVOL]

Gilliam for sure. DL is a bit light on depth and experience this year.

 

[swchandler1988]

Gilliam for sure. DL is a bit light on depth and experience this year.

Light on experience. Plenty of unproven and promising depth

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Light on experience. Plenty of unproven and promising depth

And the hopeful uncertainty of it all is one the things that I love about college football. It's like opening presents on Christmas morning!

 

[IfDickeyStayed]

Gilliam for sure. DL is a bit light on depth and experience this year.

Yeah, DL is probably our thinnest position group this season, but it has also been our most consistent group of the Heupel era. I trust Rodney Garner to have that position group ready to go better than any other coach on our staff

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Light on experience. Plenty of unproven and promising depth

This, and I expect this unit to surprise folks in a good way. We have have talent. Utley,Campbell,Hobbs,Whethersby and Dye. We’re not void of talent, it’s young and Hobbs has been battling injury bug. Maybe he breaks out as well. Add Gilliam and a few others I didn’t mention. I am on record now, this D line will not be a pushover. GBO