Josh Heupel gives update on Juwan Mitchell heading into fall camp

The Tennessee Volunteers got one of the best transfer linebackers out of the portal last offseason in Juwan Mitchell, but the former Longhorn suffered a season-ending shoulder injury early in the year. Head coach Josh Heupel provided an update on his redshirt senior linebacker heading into fall camp this week.

“He had surgery in the early part of the season for an injury that he actually came into the program with,” Heupel said in a press conference. “We all felt like it was the best decision for him. He’s gotten healthy. He’s completely changed his body because of what he’s been able to do being 100%. Fast, he’s explosive. He’s got the ability to make a bunch of tackles and make plays in space.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him compete, his consistency and see what type of play we’ll get from him this fall. I want to see him grow during the course of training camp.”

In his first appearance in the Vols orange, Mitchell had seven tackles, one solo, and one pass defended versus Pittsburgh. He contributed one assisted tackle versus Florida before hitting the bench for the season with the shoulder injury.

Mitchell joined Tennessee last summer, following two seasons at Texas. In Austin, he played in 21 games, starting 13 and had 101 tackles. His best season came in 2020, his junior year, when he started eight games and led the Longhorns with 62 tackles (32 solo tackles).

The Vols defense didn’t get to take advantage of his experience on the field in 2021 but now, fully healthy, Mitchell will be a key cog in Heupel’s revamped defense. If he plays well enough on the SEC stage, the senior linebacker should create plenty of NFL Draft buzz.

Heupel puts spotlight on the Tennessee defense

At SEC Media Days, Josh Heupel explained exactly where Tennessee needs to improve on defense and shared who he believes can make those changes happen.

“I think a year ago, had some great success, a bunch of tackles for loss,” Heupel said. “We had people in third-and-long. We just didn’t get off the football field. Our depth was a part of why we didn’t play at the level we wanted to at times.”

Heupel is all-in on his staff, which has focused on developing a more aggressive defensive front.

“I love who we have as a staff,” Heupel said. “Tim Banks is a dynamic leader, great communicator, very aggressive in what he does. We have a great staff underneath him and our players are fully bought into what we’re doing. I feel like we’re going to get better on third-and-long situations. Some new guys that are in our program, development by coach Rodney Garner at the defensive line position, ability to affect the quarterback, that’s going to be critical for us.

“Not just doing it with pressure but being able to do it with the front four. Then being able to be better in red zone defense. When we get in those situations, keeping people out of the end zone are a couple things that have been a big emphasis for us. There’s been a lot of growth.”

On3’s Alex Weber contributed to this report.