Tennessee Football Newcomers Adapt to New Defensive Scheme

Transfers TJ Metcalf, Dejuan Lane, and Qua Moss discuss their transition to the Volunteers' defense under new coordinator Jim Knowles.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:37pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric planes in the colors of orange and white, abstractly depicting the action of a Tennessee football defensive play.A cubist interpretation of Tennessee's new-look defense in action, with players' forms fractured into geometric shapes.Knoxville Today

Several new faces have joined the Tennessee Volunteers football program, including transfers TJ Metcalf, Dejuan Lane, and Qua Moss. These defensive newcomers spoke to reporters about their early impressions of the team's new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and how they are adapting to the complex scheme.

Why it matters

The Tennessee defense is undergoing a significant transition with new coaches and players, which will be crucial to the team's success in the upcoming season. How quickly these transfers can learn the new system and integrate with the existing players will be a key factor in the Volunteers' defensive performance.

The details

Metcalf, who transferred from Michigan, said he could tell Knowles' defense would be complex but that it allows everyone to make plays. Lane, from Penn State, noted the familiarity with some of the same concepts from last year has made the transition easier. Moss, from Kansas State, praised Knowles' challenging coaching style and believes it will ultimately benefit the players.

  • The Tennessee Volunteers held their first spring football practice on March 16, 2026.
  • The players spoke to reporters following the team's practice on Tuesday, April 9, 2026.

The players

TJ Metcalf

A transfer defensive back from the University of Michigan.

Dejuan Lane

A transfer defensive back from Penn State University.

Qua Moss

A transfer defensive back from Kansas State University.

Jim Knowles

The new defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Anthony Poindexter

The new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Derek Jones

A new defensive coach for the Tennessee Volunteers.

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What they’re saying

“I could tell like, you know, just on first look that it'll be a complex defense, but it was I kind of saw it as a defense like, you know, everybody can make plays in it. And you know, just going through the spring, you know, already knowing the playbook, uh, it just became easier and easier.”

— TJ Metcalf, Defensive Back

“Yeah, it made it pretty simple because, you know, we're running kind of a lot of the same things that we ran last year. Um, there's some familiar faces uh from the player standpoint, coaches and staff standpoint. So, you know, it's making things a lot easier for me.”

— Dejuan Lane, Defensive Back

“Uh, coach knows, um he's challenging to be real with you. Um, but I know everything that he doing for us is, it's great. You know what I'm saying? Like, you need a um coordinator like that's going to make sure you doing the best that you can be.”

— Qua Moss, Defensive Back

What’s next

The Tennessee Volunteers will continue their spring practice schedule, with the annual Orange and White Game scheduled for April 22, 2026. This will be an opportunity for the new defensive players and coaches to showcase their progress in learning the new system.

The takeaway

The Tennessee defense is undergoing a significant transition, but the early feedback from the new transfer players suggests they are adapting well to the complex scheme installed by new coordinator Jim Knowles. If the Volunteers can quickly get their defensive newcomers up to speed, it could pay dividends for the team's performance in the upcoming season.