For the second time this season, Tennessee football is all set to take the field at Neyland Stadium. This time around, the Vols are hoping to post a win, as there's still a sour taste in everyone's mouth from the loss to Georgia, but a dominant win over UAB should be posted.
And come Saturday, it looks like Vols fans are going to get their first look at a stud freshman as well. It's not David Sanders Jr. we're talking about here, though. Instead, it's EDGE Christian Gass, who is yet to make plays for head man Josh Heupel just yet. Per Heupel, that's all going to change this weekend:
Urban Meyer put himself on blast for terrible Tennessee football take
Josh Heupel said Tennessee freshman DL Christian Gass will be able to play vs. UAB:
— Ryan Sylvia (@RyanTSylvia) September 18, 2025
"Been able to progress in here over the last few weeks. He’ll get an opportunity to play in this one. We’re really excited about the player, but excited for him, too."https://t.co/FBKrLGcUwu
Tennessee freshman Christian Gass is expected to make his Vols debut vs. UAB
Gass arrived to Tennessee with plenty of hype surrounding his name. Unfortunately for the youngster, adversity arrived for him this offseason, as he suffered an injury that required surgery. He's slowly but surely getting close to 100 percent and Heupel indeed said he expects him to get out there vs. UAB.
“Smart, tough, physical football player,” Heupel said via GoVols247. “He came in for Playoff prep last year. In our young guy practices, (showed) elite athletic traits. Man, we were really excited with him. “He had to deal with a little bit of a setback. In coming in, had sustained an injury, and ultimately had to have surgery on it so he’s been going through a long process of getting physically ready to go play and been able to progress him here over the last few weeks. He’ll get an opportunity to play in this one, and we’re really excited about the player, but excited for him, too."
Coming out of Eastside High in Covington, Ga., the 6-2, 215-pounder was ranked four stars and the No. 21 linebacker in the country. He chose to sign with the Vols over 26 other offers, including home-state Georgia. It was a huge recruiting win for Heupel and his staff.
Against UAB, a game the Vols are heavy favorites for, Gass will be ready to deliver for Heupel and defensive coordinator Tim Banks if his number is called. People are still waiting to see if Sanders will be able to play too, but at minimum, Vols supporters everywhere will be able to watch Gass in action for the first time at the college level.