‘My mom made me call them back’ — one of Tennessee’s most important players almost wasn’t a Vol
The Vols almost didn’t land someone they hope is a difference maker in 2025
Moms really do know best, and that’s particularly the case with Tennessee Vols DL Jaxson Moi.
The Vols’ senior defensive lineman is set to take on a crucial role on Tennessee’s defense in 2025 after a solid but limited role as part of defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ dominant defensive front last season.
However, he almost wasn’t – at least if he had gotten his way at first. Moi, who came over from Stanford after the 2023 season, went on the Paul Finebaum Show on Wednesday and talked about how received a call from Tennessee, but he wasn’t interesting in going across the country at the time. That is, until his Mom intervened.
“Growing up as a West Coast kid, my dad played at USC, so I was a big Trojan fan growing up. But man, coming out here to Knoxville, being a part of Vol Nation, it’s been such a huge blessing.
“So, the funny thing is, actually, my first phone call with Tennessee, I told actually our now outside linebackers coach, Coach Chop (Levorn Harbin), I said, ‘sorry, coach, I don’t want to waste anybody’s time, but I think it’s just a little far for me.’ And then I told my mom that Tennessee called, and she’s like, ‘what?’ So, she made me call them back. And so I took my visit here and once I got to feel the atmosphere, get a feel for Knoxville and the team, the staff, I knew there was no better place for me.”
Tennessee lost three defensive tackles to the NFL in Omarr Norman-Lott, Omari Thomas, and Elijah Simmons. As such, establishing the interior of the defensive line again will be critical in 2025, and the 6’2″, 305-pound Moi is in position, along with Daevin Hobbs, to step into the fold and become an impact player. Moi appeared in 13 games last year for Tennessee, totaling 16 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks in 246 defensive snaps.
Tennessee’s defensive identity last year was one who will chew you up if you dared to run the ball, and Moi is someone who can help reestablish that identity again in 2025. If that happens, Vol fans should send his mom a Christmas card.
