KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With the offseason wrapped up and only four days until the season opener in Atlanta, the No. 24/18 Vols took Haslam Field Tuesday morning to continue game week prep for Saturday’s contest against Syracuse in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (12 p.m. ET, ABC).

Defensive coordinator Tim Banks and running backs coach De’Rail Sims met with the media following practice to provide updates on their respective groups.

Banks spoke on the defense’s approach to Week One and being prepared to face an opponent with new starters and fresh faces.

“That’s a great question. The first game is always different because you don’t know what kind of adjustments they’ve made, what they’re doing differently. Then you combine that with a lot of different faces and how they’re going to fit into the scheme. So, I think that leads back into my statement earlier. It’s more about us and how we understand where we need to be within the framework of our defense because it’s always going to be the unknown.

“That’s what first games are like. But vice versa, we’ve had some time to really develop some different things that we wanted to do to put guys in different spots. It’s always a chess match, if you will, but at the end of the day, we’ll always lean back on our training and how we execute.”

Moving from the day-to-day of fall camp practices and meetings into the steady routine of game week, Sims addressed what he wants to see out of his running back unit heading into the season opener and the key to maintaining consistent production.

“Well, I think the best thing that you have is that you are able to see the flow of the game from the sideline before you’re able to get in the game, and you kind of get a feel for how the defense is playing, the groove of the offense. So, when they get in, they understand that they have to let the game come to them. So, we talk about that a lot, don’t feel like you have to go in there and make the big play from the first snap that you get in. Allow the game to slow down and come to you. We have to get those dirty yards early on, and then at some point in time, the big plays are going to come to you. If you allow that to work itself out, good things will happen.”

Full comments from Banks and Sims’ Tuesday press conference can be viewed below.

Tennessee Football Press Conference | Aug. 26, 2025

Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks

On Syracuse starting QB Steve Angeli and how helpful his Notre Dame film is for scouting him…
“It’s as helpful as it can be in terms of watching some Notre Dame tape. You know, offense is a little different in terms of what Syracuse does versus Notre Dame. But yeah, you can see the mannerisms, obviously some of the throws that he’s made, some of the poise that he’s played with. So, that’s the only reference we have. We’re just kind of projecting what we think it will look like, obviously, with Syracuse. Syracuse did a tremendous job last year as everybody knows. They threw the ball extremely well. Systematically, they did a lot of good things to give their quarterback some easy reads and those guys were super productive. I think this kid will fall in line very similar to what it looked like last year and obviously we have to be ready to go to try to counter it.”

On how DB Jalen McMurray has grown in the last year…
“We’re super excited about (Jalen) McMurray. He’s always been a pro’s pro. He’s the first one in and the last one out type of guy. His leadership skills are off the charts. You know we love him, we’re extremely hopeful that he’ll be able to take his game to another level based on everything we saw in the spring, everything that we’ve seen in camp to this point, so we’re excited for him. I think the versatility he has, playing star, playing corner – he’s super smart and he has really good cover skills. We think he’s poised for a monster year.”

On what he’s learned about the defense since starting camp and going into the opener…
“I think just the youth and enthusiasm that we have. Obviously, we’ve lost some parts (and) some production, but the thing that I’m super excited about is just the youth. These guys are young but they’re hungry. We’re extremely athletic in a lot of spots. Obviously, you don’t know exactly until you get going and we’ll find out a little bit more this Saturday. Everything they’ve done since spring, since camp, leads me to believe that these guys and the moment won’t be too big for them.”

On what he’s liked about DB Colton Hood during the preseason…
“Very much like Mack (Jalen McMurray), just the tenacity that he plays with. He’s a kid that has the ability to play inside for us on some spots, he’s a physical corner, he’s strong, he’s been everything that we hoped he would be, so I think he’s poised, as well, for a monster year.  We didn’t get him until the fall but he’s really, really fit into our culture. He’s hardworking. I can’t really say enough about him. We’re excited for him, and like I said, the versatility that he brings really gives us a chance to utilize his whole skill set.”

On the steps that defensive linemen Jordan Ross and Caleb Herring have taken…
“With (Jordan) Ross, just the overall confidence. He’s stronger, he’s another year in our system. You can see how much stronger he’s gotten and you see it in his play speed. Caleb Herring, we’ve always thought the world of Caleb. He’s healthy now, he’s had a really good summer and a fall camp, so I think both of those guys, they’re long, they’re athletic. Obviously, James (Pearce Jr.) did a lot of great things for us, but we think those guys would be in the same mode in terms of production.”

On the message to the defense approaching week one…
“Every day, just our fundamentals and who we are. Obviously, we’re getting ready for Syracuse, but at the end of the day, it’s us against us. How we go about our business, how we prepare, how do we live up to our standard? Playing tough, playing smart, being relentless in everything we do. So, as we get close to the game this week, we concentrate a little bit more on Syracuse, but it’ll be the same thing week in and week out. It’s more about how we execute and how we go about our business than necessarily the opponent.”

On preparing for a game with so many new starters and transfers for the opponent…
“That’s a great question. The first game is always different because you don’t know what kind of adjustments they’ve made, what they’re doing differently. Then you combine that with a lot of different faces and how they’re going to fit into the scheme. So, I think that leads back into my statement earlier. It’s more about us and how we understand where we need to be within the framework of our defense because it’s always going to be the unknown. That’s what first games are like. But vice versa, we’ve had some time to really develop some different things that we wanted to do to put guys in different spots. It’s always a chess match, if you will, but at the end of the day, we’ll always lean back on our training and how we execute.”

On why Syracuse had a successful 2024 season …
“They do a really good job of pushing the ball downfield with the RPO concepts. It’s been really productive for them last year. I thought the wideouts were vertical. Those guys could get by you in a second, and then you combine it with a really strong run game. So, you really didn’t see a weakness in terms of how they went about their business offensively. Really good scheme, really had good players to execute it, that’s obviously a recipe for success. We don’t know how much the scheme will change. I think those guys had great success and great confidence in it, and then it’ll be up to those new guys to execute at the level they executed last year. But, we see a good offense every day in practice ourselves. We know we’ll have our work cut out against those guys, but I know our guys are up for the challenge and can’t wait to tee this thing up.”

On the talent and depth on the back end of defense now versus his arrival five years ago…
“You know, we’re forever grateful for those guys that decided to stay and work with us. Obviously, we took a hit on depth for a lot of different reasons. So, to kind of see how the program has grown, the guys we’ve been able to develop in the program and recruit, it has been rewarding. I think when you’re at a place like Tennessee, this is an attractive place that people want to be. We’ve been very fortunate to be able to recruit a lot of great talent back there. And not just there, but all over our team, from offense at different spots and defensively up front and linebacker. I just think the program has grown night and day from the first year we’ve got here to where we are now.”

On the number of safeties he would like to play and if that is ready for Week 1…
“I think you get what you deserve in our defense. That’s kind of our mantra. In a perfect world, you like to play as many guys as you can. We feel really good about a rotation that we’ve developed, whether that’s three or whether that’s four, we’ll find out Saturday. We’re definitely building to be able to have some depth, and not just safety, but corner to linebacker to d- line. We’re trying to sustain our depth and the only way to do that is to play some young guys that have earned it during the course of camp. And obviously, we’ll find out Saturday.”

On confidence in linebacker veterans Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander with in-game adjustments…
“It’s definitely a little bit of a safety net for us. The linebackers, they stir the drink, so to speak. Those guys are like extensions of us as coaches, being able to communicate to the front and to the back end. I think coach (William) Inge has done a really good job with those guys, with their development. I think being able to make some live adjustments, if need be – whether it’s the second series, third series, first quarter, halftime – I think those guys will be up for the challenge just because of the experience that they’ve played with and the way they’ve earned it, the way they go about their business during camp.”

On relying on DB Rickey Gibson III to handle Syracuse’s playing style and him building off last season…
“Rickey’s grown. You know, he’s stronger. He’s in his third year in our program, so we’re obviously expecting a lot out of him, just in general. I think he’s really taken ownership to be even more vocal within that room. We do have some youth there. We expect Rickey to pick up where he left off last season. He’s had a really good camp. Obviously, when you’re good at corner, it sets the table for everything else you want to do defensively and Rickey’s a big part of us being able to do that.”

Running Backs Coach De’Rail Sims

On how the workload will be split up between running backs…
“It will depend on how things are going. We haven’t really discussed that yet as a staff. We’ll kind of let this week play itself out in terms of the competition in the room, and once we get into the flow of the game on Saturday, it will really take care of itself.”

On what he hopes to learn about his group in the season opener…
“Number 1, how we go out and play clean football, taking care of the football in terms of protecting the quarterback in pass protection, taking care of the football when we have the football in our hands, but being able to see us execute and play against a different level of competition that we have to get ready to go against on Saturday.”

On the depth of the running back room…
“It’s really good. We talk about it all the time, the ball finds energy in terms of having that positive energy. Those guys are thick as thieves in terms of being together in that room, which is really good, and they do a phenomenal job feeding off of each other. One guy is making a big play, and the next guy that comes in is trying to do the exact same thing. They’re learning from each other. I don’t have to sit over there and try to go grab them when they make a mistake, because one of them is already going to be able to correct them on that, so that piece is really good.”

On what he expects to see from the Syracuse defense…
“Physical, aggressive, fast. I mean, you turn the tape on and you watch them defensively, they’re chasing the football. It looks like pursuit drill every time that they’re on defense. They play aggressive. They play with the mentality that matches what their head coach’s mentality is, as well as their defensive coordinator. It’s a fast team. They want to be physical, want to be aggressive. They want to get you behind the sticks as much as possible, and then being able to let their personalities show through how they play.”

On DeSean Bishop’s growth and potential for a productive season…
“His preparation number one, in terms of how he prepares himself, in terms of in the training room, in the meeting room, out there on the field, and then his practice habits. I mean, he practices every day like he’s getting ready to play the game, so he does a really good job from that standpoint.”

On preparing for contact in the game after going through fall camp…
“They’re prepared. We’ve had a physical camp from that standpoint, in terms of our group work that we’ve done and then of course, our team periods that we’ve done. So from a physicality standpoint, they’ll be ready.”

On his assessment of the unit’s pass blocking and ball security during camp…
“Both of them have gotten better. Pass protection, we’ve done a good job in terms of our eye discipline, in terms of where our eyes need to start at. The physicality piece of it that comes along with it, understanding that there may be times that you may have to block a defensive lineman and can’t shy away from that, so they’ve done a good job with that. Ball security, we preach on that every single time they touch the ball, they hear me hollering about that. That piece of it has gotten better too, but it’s a mentality as well. That’s one of the program pillars that we always talk about protecting the football, so it’s one of those deals that we’re constantly harping on all the time.”

On maintaining consistent production within the running back rotation…
“Well, I think the best thing that you have is that you are able to see the flow of the game from the sideline before you’re able to get in the game, and you kind of get a feel for how the defense is playing, the groove of the offense. So when they get in, they understand that they have to let the game come to them. So we talk about that a lot, don’t feel like you have to go in there and make the big play from the first snap that you get in. Allow the game to slow down and come to you. We have to get those dirty yards early on, and then at some point in time, the big plays are going to come to you. If you allow that to work itself out, good things will happen.”