Josh Heupel says Tennessee's Keenan Pili has 'a lot of good football ahead of him'

Tennessee transfer linebacker Keenan Pili is still working his way back from injury after being sidelined in the 49-13 win over Virginia on September 2 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

“Keenan’s not ready to go in this one,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said during his Monday press conference, previewing Saturday’s Homecoming game against UConn, “so we’ll continue to monitor his progress and his ability to get back on the field here late in the year.”

No. 19 Tennessee (6-2) hosts UConn (1-7) Saturday in a Noon Eastern Time kickoff (TV: SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium. The Vols have four games left on schedule, with a road game at No. 14 Missouri (November 11) and home dates with No. 1 Georgia (November 18) and Vanderbilt (November 25) after this week’s game against the Huskies.

“Keenan’s got a lot of good football ahead of him,” Heupel said. “He’ll have to make a decision on what’s best for him and his family.”

Josh Heupel on Keenan Pili: ‘Obviously we feel like he’s a difference maker’

Heupel said earlier this month that Pili was “fighting his butt off to get back as soon as possible.”

“And obviously we feel like he’s a difference maker,” he said at the time.

Pili finished the Virginia game with four tackles, including two solo tackles. He earned a game ball after the win, after playing 30 snaps, fourth most on the team. His 80.0 grade from Pro Football Focus was also fourth highest for the Vols in Week 1. 

Pili, a native of Provo, Utah, was a three-star prospect in the 2016 recruiting cycle out of Timpview High School. He was ranked No. 107 among linebackers in the class and No. 12 overall in the state of Utah. 

No. 19 Tennessee vs. UConn, Saturday, Noon ET, SEC Network

The 6-foot-3, 233-pound Pili spent the last four years at BYU. He had 191 tackles in 34 career games at BYU, including 62 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks in 12 games last season. He had 13.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during his time with the Cougars. 

While sidelined with the Vols, Pili has taken on the role of helping develop Tennessee’s younger linebackers that are playing in his place.

“Our young guys are continuing to step up at that position,” Heupel said earlier this season, “but Keenan’s a special leader and he still has been even while he has been out.

“He’s one of the first ones in the building constantly watching film. I think he’s been a real help to the young guys that are out there on the football field.”