'That was big for Josh Heupel' – ESPN's Greg McElroy praises Tennessee Vols for important move during offseason
ESPN's Greg McElroy is a big fan of an important move that Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols made earlier this offseason. McElroy thinks that defensive coordinator Tim Banks' decision to return to Tennessee in 2025, despite overtures from other program, is "huge" for Heupel and the Vols. "On defense, that's why they made the […]
ESPN's Greg McElroy is a big fan of an important move that Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols made earlier this offseason.
McElroy thinks that defensive coordinator Tim Banks' decision to return to Tennessee in 2025, despite overtures from other program, is "huge" for Heupel and the Vols.
"On defense, that's why they made the playoff last year, their run game and their defense," said McElroy this week while previewing spring practice for each SEC program. "And there's a lot of pieces that need to be replaced up front. Yes, James Pearce is one, but there's a handful of others that did the little things that allowed James Pearce to get as much freedom as he occasionally got when rushing the opposing quarterback on obvious passing situations.
"Now, keeping defensive coordinator Tim Banks was huge. That was big for Josh Heupel, because a lot of people wanted to have a conversation with Tim Banks, and he stayed. That's massive. But now, going into year number five for Josh Heupel, I think they need to be better on the road, and they got to be better along the offensive line. Defensive line? If they can adequately replace that group, they should be back in the mix this year for a College Football Playoff opportunity. Will they make it? I don't know, but they have the opportunity to compete for one — that's for sure, if they can adequately replace those guys on defense."
Continuity is extremely important in college football. Keeping Banks in Knoxville, especially after the success Tennessee's defense has experienced the last couple of years, was arguably the biggest "win" of the offseason for Heupel and the Volunteers.
Tennessee certainly has some elite talent they have to replace on the defensive side of the ball, but the Vols have some elite young talent on the roster that's ready to step and play a key role in 2025.