Tennessee has lost several key players to season-ending injuries over the last couple of months.

One of the biggest losses came in August when safety Edrees Farooq suffered a torn patellar tendon in practice.

According to Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, Farooq had established himself as “the top safety” before suffering the injury.

Farooq is obviously aiming to return to the field next season, and he’s remained very engaged with the team while rehabbing his injury.

The Maryland native told Voice of the Vols Mike Keith that he’s in the building “24/7” and spending time around the coaches and in meetings.

Farooq also detailed just how much being a Vol means to him.

“It means a lot because I’ve been here since freshman year,” said Farooq. “This is my junior year, and to be here — the culture is just out of this world. I give my all to Tennessee every day, and you just gotta have that mentality every single day that you walk in this building.

“And that’s what I love about this building. We just have dogs everywhere. Nobody’s willing to give up when something’s going wrong. We fight adversity. Everything in this building is great.”

Farooq’s injury is a tough one to come back from, but he’s putting in the work every day — both from a rehab and mental standpoint — so he can be back on the field for the Volunteers in 2027.