‘Everything he’s went through and he’s there every day’ – Vols DB Jalen McMurray shows love for teammate who likely won’t play in 2025
Tennessee Vols redshirt senior defensive back Jalen McMurray showed some love this week for a teammate that he called an “unsung hero.” McMurray appeared on the TPL Tennessee YouTube channel this week (along with Vols running back Star Thomas), and he made sure to point out the impact that redshirt junior defensive back Jourdan Thomas […]
Tennessee Vols redshirt senior defensive back Jalen McMurray showed some love this week for a teammate that he called an “unsung hero.”
McMurray appeared on the TPL Tennessee YouTube channel this week (along with Vols running back Star Thomas), and he made sure to point out the impact that redshirt junior defensive back Jourdan Thomas is having this fall despite being sidelined with an injury.
Thomas missed all of last season while recovering from a season-ending knee injury that he suffered during fall camp.
“I feel like he’s really an unsung hero in our DB room, is Jourdan Thomas,” said McMurray. “Everything he’s went through and he’s there every day. Same person every day. He’s been super influential for me at that star position. He’s really coached me. JT, it’s been a blessing to have him around. He’s really the same person every day. Shout out JT.”
The knee injury that Vols DB Jourdan Thomas suffered in preseason camp in 2024 could also keep him out for all of 2025
When Thomas initially went down with a season-ending injury in 2024, the hope was that he could return for the 2025 season.
VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs, however, said in July that he doesn’t expect Thomas to play this fall.
“I think Jourdan Thomas is going to medical redshirt this year,” said Hubbs. “I don’t think he’s going to play. I don’t think anybody — and as a media person, it’s none of our business to get into it, because it’s up to Jourdan to talk about it — but I don’t think the severity of that injury was really conveyed when he got hurt. That was not a simple torn ACL injury. There was a lot more involved there with him.
“His road to recovery is a long road, so we’ll see. He’s on the roster, obviously. He’s one of two other guys wearing No. 25 — they have three No. 25s, I think, on the roster. Which tells me he’s gonna medical [redshirt] and I don’t think he’s going to play.”
That’s a tough situation for any player. The fact that Thomas has remained engaged with the team and has been a consistent presence in defensive meetings speaks to the character of the Alabama native. Even though Thomas is unlikely to play this season, he’s still finding ways — via his mentorship — to help the Vols win football games.
Tennessee Volunteers News
Georgia’s Kirby Smart had exactly the reaction fans would expect when asked about the time he intercepted Vols legend Peyton Manning
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