Injured Tennessee player to make the trip to Gainesville to act as a 'second coach' on the sidelines
One of the Tennessee Vols' biggest strengths entering the 2023 season was their depth on the defensive side of the ball. Unfortunately for the Vols, that depth took a big hit during the first week of the season. BYU transfer linebacker Keenan Pili suffered an injury during Tennessee's season-opening win against Virginia that's expected to […]
One of the Tennessee Vols' biggest strengths entering the 2023 season was their depth on the defensive side of the ball.
Unfortunately for the Vols, that depth took a big hit during the first week of the season.
BYU transfer linebacker Keenan Pili suffered an injury during Tennessee's season-opening win against Virginia that's expected to keep him out until later this season (possibly until November, though it's still a bit early to know for sure how much time Pili will miss).
Pili looked like he was on his way to being a star player for the Vols this fall after a strong performance against Virginia. The former BYU linebacker showed a high football IQ and an elite ability to tackle in the open field.
With Pili sidelined, younger players like Elijah Herring, Jeremiah Telander, and Arion Carter will see more snaps for the Vols.
While Pili won't be able to take the field with his Tennessee teammates for a while, he's still making an impact for the Vols.
Tennessee linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary said on Tuesday while meeting with reporters that Pili is very involved in practices and he's basically like having a second coach on the sidelines.
For that reason, Pili, despite being injured, will make the trip to Gainesville with the rest of his teammates this weekend.
"One of the things that he always brought to the table was that leadership aspect," said Jean-Mary when asked about Pili. "Once he was cleared to come back, he's been in every meeting."
"He's going to travel with us down to Gainesville," added Jean-Mary. "He's an integral part of what we do. It wasn't just the physical ability, it was his mental capacity to help everybody in the room because of his experience and that's just carrying over and probably holds a little bit more weight in the room now because he's seeing it from the sidelines. Most of those guys, when they're in the room, gravitate to him. And even now, during practice he's on the sideline. The guys that are not in, they're down there talking to him and Pakk Garland. Those guys are like second coaches on the field now."
Pili may not be able to make a direct impact on the field on Saturday night for the Vols, but he'll still play a key role for Tennessee in what's essentially a must win game for UT.
Florida starter says Gators will be ‘fired up’ for Tennessee in a game that ‘means a lot’
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Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
