Jim Knowles Just Revealed Tennessee's BIGGEST Defensive Test...
Jim Knowles believes the Tennessee Vols defense has made significant progress heading into the 2026 season - but the new defensive coordinator knows the real test begins when the games count. In his latest press conference, Knowles discussed Tennessee's defensive growth, the challenges of replacing key players, the development of several young defenders and what he expects from the Vols when they take the field. The biggest question surrounding Tennessee entering the season has been whether Jim Knowles can help transform the defense into a more consistent and physical unit. So far, Knowles believes Tennessee has made progress. The defensive coordinator praised the growth of players like Jeremiah Telander, Kaleb Beasley and Xavier Gilliam, highlighting their versatility, preparation and ability to make an impact within the system.
Video Transcript
Absolutely.
I mean, you see a lot of things in practice, and then, when you go to game plan an opponent, you wanna take advantage of what your players do best.
Of course, you never truly know until the game, but I think we learned a lot during, preseason.
With Idris going down, can you talk about, you know, what you're missing without him this year, and how those other guys have sorta elevated into those, positions?
Yeah.
We, we, will definitely miss Idris.
He was, one of the guys that I was most impressed with from the time I in- arrived here.
It's a big blow to the defense, and, you know, it's a clich, but everybody says next man up.
So, you know, what we've had to do is just, rotate some guys around at different positions, you know, to prepare for those situations, you know, when, when we might need a guy.
So we've just had to make, more guys interchangeable, you know, including Quay, also I think is very talented.
So, you know, we're cross-training him at, the high safety positions, not only the nickel position, because, you know, we have enough good linebackers to be able to play a big nickel Sam type of position, and if we need Quay in the back end, we can do that.
So we're, we're just cross-train, and the backups with Sydney and Dylan and, DJ Burks, right?
So we're just trying to really cross-train everywhere because of the fact that, we're a little thin there.
Fin and then Ryan.
Coach, since you got here in the spring, we've asked you a lot about your install, and, you, you addressed that early in, earlier this fall camp, a- and you said that you felt good with where you all were at.
Are, are you still pleased with, with where you all are at a- and- Yeah feel good about their understanding going into the season?
Yeah, I'm, I'm really pleased.
You know?
I've, I've found the, players to pick things up to be really diligent in their learning and, you know, very receptive.
You know, brought in some guys that we know, and the coaches who know me, that certainly helps.
But I think there's a good culture here of learning, and, I've been impressed with what they've picked up.
What have you learned about what you have from a pass rush perspective since the start of fall camp?
You know, I thought we did well in the preseason.
You know, creating some things through various schemes.
Not gonna get into game planning, but, you know, we did some things in fall camp that were effective.
So I was impressed with what we could generate against our offense, which is a, you know, a really good offense.
Like anything, you know, game time will tell.
Game time will tell.
Patrick, then James.
Coach, you said you, you guys learned some things throughout the course of preseason camp.
What are a couple things that you learned over the process of the, those several weeks?
Well, you know, T. Lander, you know, which is, he's certainly like the heart and soul of our defense, which I knew, but I found that, you know, he has, you know, some particular skills that we can really use to put him in, great positions to make plays, and, and he's really tough.
So I think, T. Lander, you know, showed a lot of versatility.
And, you know, Kay Lee, Kay Lee has grown.
He's grown.
I've seen his development in terms of, the seriousness about which he takes the preparation for the corner position.
I'm hopeful that a light bulb has really gone on for him.
And, you know, up front, Xavier Gilliam, who I knew, brought here with us, but he's really taken the next step.
I think he can be a great one.
So those are three guys that I, you know, I, I saw a lot of things during camp that were impressive.
I know games will be the ultimate test on this, but you had, you've obviously put an emphasis on tackling.
You guys did live tackling here in camp in, in, in prep for the season.
What kinda gains have you seen your defense make in terms of tackling?
Yeah.
We've, we've seen, we've seen gains.
That's a good thing, right?
We've tracked percentages, from the spring, and it's definitely gone up at all positions.
I don't think it ever goes up, you know, to the point I want it until it's 100%, which you, you're never gonna be in tackling, so.
But I have seen gain, I mean, tracked analytical gains in our tackling, from the spring, you know.
And, and, you know, guys are gonna miss tackles, you know, but it's, there's a right way and a wrong way to miss tackles, so, you know, we're teaching them that, too.
You know, if you miss and, but you're on the right angle and you miss, you'll have a teammate or a sideline there to help you.
You know?
So it's, there's a right But aside from making the tackle, if you do miss, there's a right way to miss it.
