Vols player who was on transfer watch after 2025 is now in position to play very important role for Tennessee due to an unfortunate injury
The Tennessee Vols’ defense suffered a tough blow during practice on Friday morning.
According to multiple reports, Tennessee Vols junior safety Edrees Farooq suffered a lower body injury in practice on Friday morning.
Farooq, who was in line to start for Tennessee this fall, was reportedly taken by ambulance to UT Medical Center.
For now, it’s unclear the extent of Farooq’s injury or how much time he’ll miss, but it obviously doesn’t sound good.
Penn State transfer safety DeJuan Lane is likely the next man up at safety.
Lane played under Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles at Penn State last season.
The Vols, however, could use a mix of players to replace Farooq. I would expect sophomore Dylan Lewis, a player who was on transfer watch after the 2025 season, to see a bigger role with Farooq sidelined.
Lewis has had a strong offseason after a tough true freshman season.
“Dylan Lewis is a guy who was lost last year,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs this week on WNML’s SportsTalk. “I mean, he was a freshman, but he was a guy everybody was like, ‘I don’t know, I’m not sure. Watch for him in the portal.’
“And now he’s in the rotation in the two-deep at safety. Sometimes a fresh start is exactly what you need as a player, and I think that’s been something that’s been important for Dylan Lewis moving into this offseason through spring practice and now into fall camp.”
Vols sophomore defensive lineman Ethan Utley singled out Lewis earlier this summer as a player who could have a breakout season for Tennessee in 2026.
“Dylan Lewis, I think he took a big step during spring ball,” said Utley. “Just as far working his way up in the rotation — compared to what was going on last year. I think he’s definitely put some muscle on and is getting comfortable in the playbook. He’s just in a better situation. I think that’s a guy who could surprise some people by helping us out in a big way.”
Additionally, Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles mentioned Lewis (along with Farooq) at the start of fall camp as a player who’s “showed up.”
“I really like what Edrees did,” said Knowles. “I didn’t know that much about him, but I liked what he did. Like with Dylan, guys who were here, who I watched on tape a little bit, I was unsure about. I thought those two guys showed up, so I have been pleased with the progress at the safety position also.”
Lewis is likely going to get a chance to play a big role for the Volunteers this fall, though it’s not the way anyone wanted his opportunity to come to fruition.
