'I don't think he's going to play' – Vols insider provides latest on key defensive player for Tennessee
The Tennessee Vols' defensive depth took a hit last season, just after the start of fall camp, when defensive back Jourdan Thomas suffered a torn ACL in practice. Thomas, who played in 25 games during his first two seasons at Tennessee, missed the entire 2024 season due to the injury. The Alabama native was expected […]
The Tennessee Vols' defensive depth took a hit last season, just after the start of fall camp, when defensive back Jourdan Thomas suffered a torn ACL in practice.
Thomas, who played in 25 games during his first two seasons at Tennessee, missed the entire 2024 season due to the injury.
The Alabama native was expected to play a key role in the Vols' secondary last season.
It's been nearly a year since Thomas' injury. But unfortunately for Thomas and the Volunteers, it doesn't sound like he'll be a factor for Tennessee in 2025.
VolQuest's Brent Hubbs joined 104.5 The Zone's Ramon and Will on Friday and he discussed Thomas' status for the upcoming season.
"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."
"So at the safety position, you got Andre Turrentine, who's going to be a starter. And then the other side of that is going to be interesting," continued Hubbs. "Because you have Edrees Farooq, who was a big hitter last year that played some meaningful snaps — he was on the field against Georgia late, which was a bit of a surprise. [He's] a guy that I think there's a lot of excitement around, because they think he has a lot of ability. He's got to play better in space — and not just downhill in the run game….that's his growth and development.
"And then I think the other guy in that competition is Kaleb Beasley. And I think if you go back and look at Beasley last year, while playing corner, he didn't play a bunch of defense. But if you go back and watch special teams as the season went along, Beasley showed up more and more in the coverage units. And more and more in open field play and open space play. And obviously, when you're going from playing man as a corner to playing middle of the field safety, that's a big adjustment in terms of learning to play in space. And I think the special teams work last year really benefited him. I think he's better at safety than at corner at this level. And I think he's going to insert himself in a couple of weeks into that competition between him and Farooq. I think you're going to see them play both of those guys and play three safeties. And we'll see if a freshman comes along, but I think Beasley is the guy in that safety rotation."
It's unfortunate for Tennessee that Thomas likely won't be able to contribute this season (the most important thing, though, is his recovery from what was apparently a brutal injury). But based on Hubbs' comments, it sounds like the Vols have some good options at safety. And there should be a good competition at that position during fall camp.
Tennessee's defense was a massive reason why the Vols reached the College Football Playoff last season. If the Vols are going to make a return trip to the playoff in 2025, the defense will need to play at an elite level once again — especially with Tennessee breaking in so many new pieces on the offensive side of the ball.
