Greg McElroy defends leaving Tennessee off Top 10 defenses in college football list

When ESPN’s Greg McElroy was putting together his top 10 defenses heading into the 2025 season, he originally did not even consider Tennessee an honorable mention. Between some serious talent leaving the program and Jermond McCoy suffering a knee injury, the questions were too big.

But after reconsidering, McElroy is putting faith in defensive coordinator Tim Banks. Entering his fifth season on Rocky Top means Banks has more than established his system. Players have been recruited with the idea of getting after quarterbacks. What keeps Tennessee as an honorable mention compared to top 10 is not having that elite guy to accomplish the Vols’ goal.

“I feel quite good about what Tim Banks, their defensive coordinator, brings back,” McElroy said. “He’s been there a long time, first and foremost. So the group, collectively, should have a great feel and understanding for how they’re going to oppose attacking offenses. But the big thing is disruption and turnover they lost along the front.”

James Pearce left in favor of the NFL Draft, being someone Tennessee could rely on last year. Even Omarr Norman-Lott on the interior is a big loss for rush efforts after he put up four tackles for a loss, four sacks, and three quarterback hurries during the 2024 season.

Losing McCoy is another big sticking point for McElroy. If healthy, McCoy would be viewed as one of the SEC’s top cornerbacks. Instead, questions surround his availability heading into the season due to a knee issue.

Enough with the negatives, though. Outside of Banks, what got McElroy to buy into Tennessee’s defense in 2025 is a deeper look at the roster. He sees a clear replacement for Pearce while having faith in a few other upperclassmen set to take role.

“Those are the negatives,” McElroy said. “Once you start looking at some of the pieces back, I started to feel a little better about what Tennessee has. Joshua Josephs is back, one of the best returning pass rushers in the SEC. If he can steps into the shoes of James Pearce, they should be quite good… I like the group collectively up front but they don’t have the complete game wrecker like a year ago.”

Banks’ unit will be tested right away, facing off against Syracuse in Atlanta. Fran Brown possessed one of the top offenses in college football last year and has no reason to slow down. McElroy may even get a first-hand look at the game.