Knowles Hails Young Talent & Practice Discipline | Tennessee Volunteers Football News

Tennessee’s defense is heating up ahead of the 2026 season, thanks to standout growth from young stars like Jeremiah Telander, Kaleb Beasley, and Xavier Gilliam—each bringing grit, versatility, and accountability that coach Jim Knowles raves about. He dubs Telander “Mr. Tennessee” for his relentless energy and refusal to make excuses, embodying the toughness Knowles values. With a laser focus on practice as the forge of perfection, Knowles demands players master their assignments before game day, especially when facing complex RPOs. And with Ariyan Carter’s suspension shortened, the defense gains a crucial leader back soon—just in time to elevate their playmaking consistency. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/10ceb386a7bdccd3