With so many new additions on defense this offseason, one player Tennessee fans can’t wait to see is former Kansas State safety Qua Moss.
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The former Wildcats safety had a very productive 2025 season, posting a 73.8 coverage grade on PFF and having an 11.8% missed tackle rate. After starting his career at a JUCO, Moss proved at the Power Four level that he can run, defend, and tackle with the big boys.
Moss also proved he has a fun personality that can crack some jokes. When Qua Moss was asked if he was a Georgia fan growing up in Troup County, he offered an awesome response. Moss said, "I hated Georgia; I was an Alabama fan. I wanted to go to (Alabama) at first. Ima be real, I hated Tennessee for a while when they beat Alabama (I was like) oh my god. But it grew on me, though."
Tennessee senior DB Qua Moss has worked his way up from JUCO, to D1, to a Power Four program, now playing in the SEC.
— Sam Granville (@samgranvilletv) April 7, 2026
He grew up in the heart of SEC Country, Troup County, GA, where he says he wasn't a Bulldog fan, but he wasn't a Vol fan either... #Vols pic.twitter.com/099apqELhj
What a great quote. Moss has a great vibe to him and brings the jokes. Moss is likely talking about the 2022 Alabama-Tennessee game when the Vols picked up a big 52-49 signature win.
Hopefully Moss can help the Vols deliver more big wins like this during his time in Knoxville. Tennessee will host Alabama on October 17, and that could be a game where Moss plays with a chip on his shoulder after not being recruited by the Tide. Tennessee will also play Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU, so there is ample opportunity for Moss to make his mark on Tennessee.
Tennessee vs. Alabama in 2022 was an amazing win
Former Vols star quarterback Hendon Hooker threw for five touchdown passes and had 385 passing yards. Looking back on that win, that game was full of future NFL stars. Alabama had
Bryce Young, Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch, Will Anderson, Terrion Arnold, and many more. Tennesse had Hooker, Joe Milton (who did attempt a pass), Jaylen Wright, Jaylin Hyatt, Byron Young, and many more as well.
Tennessee ended up going 11-2 that season, and it gave fans real hope about Josh Heupel and what he can build in Knoxville. Hopefully, the Vols can have another season like 2022.