‘I say it because I believe it…I don’t need to hype Tennessee’ – ESPN analyst drops strong words on one of the Vols’ most important players
The Tennessee Volunteers have a superstar on their roster that is looking like a future first round draft pick.
ESPN’s Cole Cubelic believes the Tennessee Vols have one of the best players in college football on their roster.
Cubelic said this week on The Cube Show that he thinks Vols defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam is the best defensive player in college football.
“I don’t say this lightly, but I’m gonna say it: Xavier Gilliam is the best defensive player in college football,” said Cubelic. “I say that because I believe it. I don’t need to hype Tennessee. I don’t need anybody else telling me that I said it. Whatever. Like, give me another guy who is consistently wrecking shop like he is. … I’m just telling you right now — I don’t know another player in the nation that gets after people’s asses as often and to the extent that Xavier Gilliam does. I just don’t.
“The kid uses his hands. He’s got quickness. Now, also give (Vols defensive coordinator) Jim Knowles credit — they’re putting him in positions to make plays. So that’s another thing he’s got going for him. He has dominant quickness, power, batted balls, sacks, strips, fumble recoveries. Like, goodness gracious.”
That’s incredibly high praise from Cubelic, a former Auburn offensive lineman who obviously knows what he’s talking about when it comes to the trenches.
Gilliam, who spent the first two seasons of his career at Penn State, arrived at Tennessee this past offseason with three seasons of eligibility remaining.
But unfortunately for the Vols, Gilliam is looking like a one-and-done player in a Tennessee uniform. Unless something unexpected happens, Gilliam is almost certainly going to declare for the 2027 NFL Draft after the season.
It’s too early to know how the draft will play out, but it’s highly likely, at least as things sit right now, that Gilliam will be a first-round selection next spring.
