5-star recruit gives thoughts on playing defense at Tennessee opposite the Vols' up-tempo offense
During the early portion of Josh Heupel's tenure as the Tennessee Vols' head coach, there was a narrative that UT would struggle to recruit elite defensive players because of Heupel's up-tempo offense. The idea was that recruits wouldn't want to play in a defense that might be back on the field less than a minute […]
During the early portion of Josh Heupel's tenure as the Tennessee Vols' head coach, there was a narrative that UT would struggle to recruit elite defensive players because of Heupel's up-tempo offense.
The idea was that recruits wouldn't want to play in a defense that might be back on the field less than a minute or two after getting a stop because the Vols' offense quickly went three-and-out.
Not only is that narrative that top defensive recruits are avoiding Tennessee because of the up-tempo offense completely false, but it turns out that one of the top defensive recruits in the 2024 recruiting class says he likes the idea of playing defense opposite Heupel's offense.
2024 five-star linebacker Sammy Brown spoke to AtoZ Sports at the ON3 NIL elite series in Nashville on Tuesday and he made it clear that Tennessee's offense isn't an issue for him.
"I think a style like that makes the defense better," said Brown. "I think going against that every day in practice just makes the defense better and you know, prepares them for what college is going to be like."
As for the future of Tennessee's defense, Brown thinks it's only going to get better in the coming years.
"I think the sky's the limit for Tennessee," said Brown. "I think Coach Heupel has brought a great culture and great coaching staff to Tennessee. And I think that the defense — the only thing that it needs to continue to do is just get better. I think from the first year there to the second year there was a major difference. I think next year is going to be different and the year after that it's just going to continue to get better and continue to improve."
Clemson and Georgia are viewed by most as the frontrunners for Brown, who is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 player in the state of Georgia.
But it definitely sounds like Tennessee made quite an impression on Brown this past weekend during his official visit. It's still going to be an uphill better for the Vols to land the talented linebacker, but Tennessee is very much in the mix in this crucial recruiting battle.
Featured image via Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
