KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee football suited up in full pads for the first time this fall during Wednesday morning’s sixth practice of preseason camp. With competition heating up across the roster, the defensive line took center stage as position coaches Rodney Garner and Levorn Harbin met with local media.

Garner, named 2024 Defensive Line Coach of the Year by Football Scoop, praised the intensity and depth of his unit as it prepares for the Aug. 30 season opener against Syracuse in Atlanta.

“The whole room is competitive because they all want to play,” Garner said. “I mean, that’s how we built the culture of that room. It’s about guys that will come out every day, put the work in to show that they’re trustworthy and that they can play at a championship level.”

Garner highlighted defensive tackles Bryson Eason and Jaxson Moi as vocal leaders, while offering high praise for sixth-year defensive end Dominic Bailey, citing his consistency and leadership through the first week of camp.

“I think right now, if we had to vote on the MVP of the front guys, I think Dom Bailey would win it hands down,” Garner said. “This kid has had an outstanding camp. Run, pass, leadership, all those things, he really stands out in a very positive way … This kid has really earned everything that he’s got. He’s blue collar. He worked his tail off to get himself in this position and he’s made himself into a really good SEC defensive lineman. I’m really glad that we have him. I love his leadership, and I love the way that he goes about his business, his work ethic.”

On the edge, Tennessee is looking to replace the production of 2025 first-round NFL Draft pick James Pearce Jr. through a group effort. Harbin, recently promoted to outside linebackers coach, is fostering a “pack mentality” at the LEO position to maintain and improve upon the standard Pearce helped establish.

“I think as a pack we can get to the production we had last year, and hopefully we can push the envelope a little further as a collective group,” Harbin said. “I think we can do it. I think everybody will pitch in, and have the skillset to pitch in. You have to get a couple of young guys and new guys that come along, and I think those guys are going to be fine. I think the production will be where it should be, or better, potentially.”

Full comments from Garner and Harbin can be viewed below. The Vols return to the practice field Friday in preparation for a closed scrimmage Saturday in Neyland Stadium.

Defensive Line Coach Rodney Garner

On determining who and how many will be within the inside DL rotation…
“I still think we’re a working progress trying to identify who those guys are, who’s truly four, who’s five and possibly six. We feel really good about one, two and three. We felt four was really coming on – 4A, 4B. Now, we just got to keep moving the needle. It’s just, what, day six? So, you know, it’s a process. There’s been some good stuff put on film, some good things to teach off of, areas that they see things that they need to do to improve to try to move the needle in the right direction. So, you know, I’m encouraged about the attitude and the mindset that they’re bringing, but we’ve got to continue to push that thing and push the envelope the right way.”

On Tyree Weathersby’s comeback and current mental and physical state…
“Weathersby, I think he has had a really good camp thus far. I think he picked up where he left off in the spring. He’s a kid that had a really good spring. He’s a kid that has a tremendous skill set and he’s done a really good job of picking up the system. He has minimum busts. He plays hard. He has the right prototype body type that you’re looking for. So, you know, we’re excited about him as far as where he’s been these first six days. (We’re) counting on him to continue to climb and move that needle in the right direction. I can see that kid playing a significant role on this team this year.”

On what Daevin Hobbs has done to get in a spot where he feels good about him…
“He’s a long, athletic kid that can bend, that can really run and burst. The things that you really want and wish for Hobbs, he’s been stunted from a power (and) explosiveness (standpoint) with two offseasons because of shoulder surgeries. You sit there, I always wondered, what if? What would he be had he had those two offseasons? What would he be right now? But he’s a very talented guy. We need for him to take that next step. So far at camp, he’s done a really good job. Obviously, he’s a lot like some longer kids I’ve had, like (Richard) Seymour and (Marcus) Stroud. He’s a tall kid, so he has to really be conscientious on making sure that he’s playing with great pad level, especially as an interior guy. So, like I was telling him, we were watching film last night – if you think you’re low, get lower. You aren’t going to ever be low enough. Just consistently playing behind his pad and playing with great fundamentals.”

On who has been the most competitive D-lineman in fall camp…
“The whole room is competitive because they all want to play. I mean, that’s how we built the culture of that room. It’s about guys that will come out every day, put the work in to show that they’re trustworthy and that they can play at a championship level. So, that thing is always on display. There’s nobody that has birthrights. So, every day they have to go out and earn it. Like I say, this game, it parallels to life. You know, in life, you got to go earn it every day. There’s nothing given to you. So, it is a competitive room. I think even for young guys, everybody comes in (and) that’s the culture that we want, that you have to put that work in. When you step between those lines, your reputation is on the line every day. It doesn’t matter. There’s no off days. Your reputation is on the line every time you step between them.”

On Dominic Bailey’s progression and what it says about the culture in the D-line room…
“I tell you, I was just talking to those scouts. I think, right now, if we had to vote on the MVP of the front guys, I think Dom Bailey would win it hands down. You know, this kid has had an outstanding camp. Run, pass, leadership, all those things he really stands out in a very positive way. Obviously, I think a lot of people know that when I first got here, he stood out another way and it wasn’t a good way. So, this kid has really earned everything that he’s got. He’s blue collar (kid). He worked his tail off to get himself in this position and he’s made himself a really good SEC defensive lineman. I’m really glad that we have him. I love his leadership. I love the way that he goes about his business, his work ethic. Him, along with (Jaxson) Moi, you know, they’re really trying to lead that room and be pace setters for that. And even Eason has gotten better, knowing they’re trying to get him to up his to their level. But you know, I’m excited about Dom.”

On what he’s seen from junior DL Jamal Wallace this offseason…
“Well, you know, Jamal (Wallace) is a talented big man. He just didn’t have any sweat equity as a defensive lineman. Then just getting hurt and not being able the work in to work on the nuances of being a defensive lineman, and not just being a defensive lineman, being an interior defensive lineman. You’re taking a kid that was a safety, outside backer dropping that when he got here, he didn’t even know how to get in a three-point stance. So, he needs every single day of work that he can get because he is big, he is explosive, he can run, he is twitchy. He has the traits of an SEC defensive lineman, but now just putting together the mechanical technical things that he needs to do to take that gain. But you know, I’m excited. He’s been able to be out there so far, stay healthy, that’s the biggest thing, be able to stay healthy, put in that work and continue to grow.”

On the hardest thing to coach into or out of a talented freshman… 
“Well, I think the transition from high school to college is always going to come down to the tempo of practice. Then it’s the level of competition, they’re playing against 200-pound offensive linemen in high school. Those guys don’t exist (at this level). So, just the level of competition, the strain that’s involved. They can never become great and stay comfortable. So, they’ve got to get themselves comfortable being uncomfortable right now, so they can be comfortable later.  So those are the things that I am trying to put into them. Put them into difficult situations (and) strain them so that good stuff can come out because that’s when the good stuff comes out is when you put them in pressure situations. I’m really excited about the three young guys, all three of them are long, they’re athletic – I think they have a really good skillset. I can see those guys having a role and being able to contribute in a positive way.”

Outside Linebackers Coach Levorn Harbin

On where Jordan Ross is at as a player right now…
“Jordan has matured very much so on and off the field. He’s done a great job of doing maintenance work and he’s done a great job in the weight room too. Sometimes he was lifting twice a day. He’s working out in his own way with drills on the weekend. Then, the biggest thing is just living in the training room because he plays so hard, man. He’s unbelievable. He plays hard. He’s carrying his weight really good. He’s just a focused young man that wants to be great right now.”

On if there was a switch that flipped for Jordan Ross to take the next step…
“I don’t think there was a switch. I think it was him trying to feel his way how college life is on and off the field. Then, once he got that part figured out and aligned with his goals, then he just moved forward with getting better on and off the field.

On what the first few weeks of fall camp have been like…
“It’s been great. There’s been a lot of energy. Glad to be out on the field. Always a good feeling with the smell of fresh grass. The kids have been really working hard and buying into our system. I mean we have been going since, really, February, so, really, we are just going back through the installs. They have been pretty sharp with the plays. Just trying to continue to get in shape, and continue to push the envelope for them guys to get better with effort and with technique.

On how the room has intensified with Joshua Josephs not being out there for fall camp…
“I have with Caleb (Herring), Jordan (Ross) and also with (Emmanuel) Okoye. Those guys are getting much needed valuable reps versus really good on good talent, so that’s the benefit of them more than getting half the reps. They are getting all the reps now, so that’s been good for them competition wise and from the mental side.”

On Caleb Herring’s offseason progression…
“He’s taken a leadership role in the room, leading the guys from a standpoint of pushing everybody, attention to detail, working hard, calling them out and calling himself out sometimes, when he knows he’s not doing what he needs to at 100 percent. He’s almost like a senior in my eyes because he came in a year after Joshua Josephs, so he’s been in for three years so he knows how we want things, so he’s been pushing the envelope on and off the field for those guys to do it right, every time. He’s bought into the system, so he’s just carrying what we say in the meetings to on the field.”

On Joshua Joseph’s progress this offseason while on the sideline…
“He’s been doing a great job of studying how he can get better, that’s the biggest thing. When you recognize some things you need to work on. That’s what he’s worked on, because you need to get a little bit better with his pass rush, get a little bit bigger and stay a certain size so you can take a pounding throughout the year. He’s been a little bit more outgoing, in terms of trying to be with the guys, hang with the guys, and try to be more physical on a consistent basis.”

On replacing James Pearce Jr.’s production…
“I think as a pack we can get to the production we had last year, and hopefully we can push the envelope a little further as a collective group. I think we can do it. I think everybody will pitch in, and have the skillset to pitch in. You have to get a couple of young guys and new guys that come along, and I think those guys are going to be fine. I think the production will be where it should be, or better, potentially.”

On Emmauel Okoye’s development…
“He’s taken some steps, everybody needs to understand that he’s been hurt every fall he’s been here, so this will be his first true camp or really practice sessions with us. He’s a gifted young man, he’s trying to learn the game. He’s raw, but he’s going to give you effort. He’s passionate about getting good every day and he’s taking steps mentally, physically, he just has to keep working and I know he will, and I just have to make sure I keep pushing him and making sure that I give him the tools to be success.