Rodney Garner’s coaching directly credited for Joshua Josephs’ breakout 2025 season

Rodney Garner is one of college football’s most respected defensive line coaches, and Tennessee is lucky to have him. He has been consistently producing NFL talent at multiple SEC schools, and he does a tremendous job of attracting top talent to his defensive lines. Josh Heupel is lucky to have a guy like him, and Jim Knowles retaining Garner is a huge boost to the Vols next fall.

Garner’s coaching has not only developed NFL talent, but it’s also elevated Tennessee’s overall program. With the NFL Combine starting this week, players met with the media, and Tennessee EDGE Joshua Josephs had nothing but good things to say about the Vols' defensive line coach.

Josephs said, "Rodney Garner, as a man he's helped me develop and grow up as fast as i needed to."

As a senior in 2025, Joseph had his best statistical season as a Vol, recording 33 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and two pass deflections. His breakout year didn’t go unnoticed, with Garner’s spotlight helping elevate his profile to a whole new level last season.

Despite a disappointing end to his Tennessee career, Josephs remains confident in Heupel’s program and what he is building in Knoxville.

"I didn't end my college career how I wanted to. I feel like everybody wants to win a national championship, and if not that, a conference championship, and we weren't able to achieve either. But I have a lot of faith in the University of Tennessee moving forward, and especially coach Heupel. I believe he knows what he's doing. I believe they got beautiful days ahead of them."

Joshua Josephs has a day two potential this NFL Draft

Josephs is an elite athlete on the edge who wins pass-rushes at a high rate with an arsenal of different moves. What will hinder him is that he isn't projected to be an every-down player in the NFL, but his natural ability to get to the quarterback will have teams wanting him early in the draft. Joseph's long arms and explosiveness will make him very highly coveted this draft, as NFL teams are always looking for players who can cause havoc to quarterbacks.

If Josephs can put on a good performance this week at the combine, there is a very good chance he is a top 60 pick in April's draft.