‘A one-man wrecking crew’ – SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic points out the Tennessee player who wreaked havoc in Vols’ win against Syracuse
The Tennessee Vols’ defense wasn’t exactly dominant in Week 1 against the Syracuse Orange, but there were plenty of good things that SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic saw from UT defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ unit. Specifically, Cubelic liked what he saw from Vols senior defensive lineman Joshua Josephs in Tennessee’s 45-26 win against Syracuse. Josephs […]
The Tennessee Vols’ defense wasn’t exactly dominant in Week 1 against the Syracuse Orange, but there were plenty of good things that SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic saw from UT defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ unit.
Specifically, Cubelic liked what he saw from Vols senior defensive lineman Joshua Josephs in Tennessee’s 45-26 win against Syracuse.
Josephs totaled seven tackles and a sack against the Orange. Cubelic, however, was most impressed by the dirty work that Josephs did in the trenches, which allowed his teammates to thrive.
“Joshua Josephs was a one-man wrecking crew,” said Cubelic during his Week 1 film review. “Joshua Josephs was the sacrificial lamb multiple times — and he’ll get no credit for it. But he will go down inside and occupy blockers so somebody else can loop around — or blitz off the edge — and make a play. I thought he was great. I thought he did some really good things.”
Cubelic was also quick to praise several other Tennessee defenders, including defensive linemen Bryson Eason and Nathan Robinson, defensive back Colton Hood, and linebacker Arion Carter.
“I thought No. 94, Nathan Robinson, did some good things inside,” said Cubelic. “We know 20 can play — We’ve seen Bryson Eason play. He can get it done. I thought No. 8 was great in coverage. I thought he made some big plays, Colton Hood.
“We know the linebackers can run. We know Arion Carter is the fastest linebacker in the SEC. And (defensive coordinator) Tim Banks can dial it up. He didn’t hold back.”
Tennessee had some issues getting off the field on defense at times against Syracuse — the Orange were three for four on fourth-down attempts — but this is a talented Vols defense that should continue to get better as the season progresses.
The biggest concern for Tennessee’s defense is health — the Vols will be without starting cornerback Rickey Gibson for an extended period of time due to an injury he sustained in the Syracuse game. Defensive lineman Jaxson Moi is out for Week 2 against East Tennessee State. And it’s unclear when superstar cornerback Jermod McCoy will return from the torn ACL he suffered during the offseason.
The Vols’ depth will be tested, but there’s still enough defensive talent on this roster for Tennessee to field one of the nation’s top defenses in 2025.
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