The starting quarterback battle is obviously dominating the conversation surrounding Tennessee football right now, but it’s far from the only important development during fall camp for the Vols.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, in fact, made some non-quarterback comments on Saturday after the program’s second (and final) fall scrimmage that should have Vols fans feeling very encouraged.

Josh Heupel sounds very pleased with Tennessee’s defense

If the Vols are going to be a contender this fall, then the defense will need to take a huge step forward in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ first season.

Tennessee finished with the No. 92 scoring defense in the nation in 2025 (which is what led to Heupel firing Tim Banks and hiring Knowles).

If the defense can show some real improvement, it will take a lot off pressure of whichever freshman quarterback (Faizon Brandon George MacIntyre) starts this fall.

The good news for Tennessee is that Heupel sounded quite pleased with the defense following the Vols’ scrimmage on Saturday.

“[The defense] certainly [has] a personality,” said Heupel. “Aggressive nature and multiple in what we’re doing. One of the great positives to Jim is his ability within his scheme to be able to take advantage of the skill sets of guys that are ready to play and call it to their traits. We can see that in some of our packages.”

Heupel added that he’s been pleased with Tennessee’s tackling (which was a major issue last season).

“In all, pleased,” said Heupel when asked about tackling. “Not just today, but I think over the course of this training camp. Fundamentally and technically, and ultimately getting guys on the ground.

“Our defense in particular, but even some of the offense — guys on our special teams — have really continued to grow throughout the course of it. You’re never perfect, in particular out in space, but I feel like we’ve grown in a really positive way. We need to continue to do that in smart ways here over the next two weeks.”

Tennessee’s defense reportedly took a big step forward in the second scrimmage, generating several turnovers while also giving the offensive line all they could handle.

The Vols’ defense will continue to grow throughout the season as players gain experience in Knowles’ system, but it sounds like that unit is going to be in a really good place to start the season. And that should give Tennessee a solid chance to get off to a good start in 2026 despite tough early-season tests on the road against Georgia Tech and at home against Texas.