Few college football teams occupy the same territory as the Tennessee Volunteers do this year. While they are expected to pull back somewhat after making the College Football Playoff last season, most analysts still think very highly of their coaching staff and overall roster. It is a testament to what Josh Heupel has built in Knoxville, as well as the rockstar defensive coordinator he employs in Tim Banks.
While it remains to be seen how Joey Aguilar does in replacing Nico Iamaleava at quarterback, Banks' side of the football should be as menacing as ever. Yes, star players like James Pearce Jr. have gone on to the NFL, but it is always next man up in Knoxville. One player that Banks is particularly high on this season would have to be Jalen McMurray.
Banks believes "he's poised for a monster year." While McMurray is listed as Rickey Gibson III's backup at right cornerback over on Ourlads, this is a fifth-year player in the college game. McMurray played last year at Tennessee, but spent his first three college seasons playing for the Temple Owls. Is he Temple Tough? Does it matter? Regardless, Banks is quite bullish on McMurray for this season.
While not particularly a ballhawk, McMurray has never been afraid to make any tackle in his career.
DC Tim Banks on DB Jalen McMurray:
— Rocky Top Now (@rockytopnow) August 26, 2025
"We think he's poised for a monster year." pic.twitter.com/6UPUfU3sGR
To date, McMurray has 104 combined tackles of 40 games split between Temple and Tennessee.
Tim Banks expects big things out of Jalen McMurray in his final season
For those who are high on Tennessee this year, the Volunteers' best pathway to success is by running the ball effectively and playing great defense, while the quarterback situation sorts itself out. Aguilar has starting experience from his time at Appalachian State, but this is the SEC, folks. The good news is Heupel's offense is both quarterback-friendly and highly dependent on the running game as well.
The other thing working in Tennessee's favor is the Volunteers will play one of the easiest SEC schedules out there, relatively speaking of course. If they were to get a big neutral-site victory over Syracuse in Atlanta this weekend, that will go a long way towards the Volunteers making some noise this season once again. Of course, guys like McMurray will have to step up over on defense as well.
Overall, Tennessee has a real chance to surprise some people this season. Just because Iamaleava transferred to UCLA does not mean this team is going to fall to the wayside exponentially. There are a lot of guys playing with a ton of pride on this roster, and McMurray is chief among them. With his veteran leadership and undeniable tenacity, that could play a part in Tennessee being a tough out.
Heupel is a great head coach, but having a true ace in the hole in Banks could be a difference-maker.