Fans on Rocky Top still have at least one more day to rally behind Rick Barnes’ squad in the NCAA Tournament, but once Tennessee’s basketball run wraps up, attention in Knoxville will quickly turn to football and baseball.
However, the football program has already been dealt a setback. Reports from Volquest indicate that defensive tackle Daevin Hobbs will be sidelined for the rest of spring practice due to a foot injury.
Hobbs, a former four-star recruit, ranked No. 57 overall in the 2023 class according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He was also listed as the No. 7 defensive lineman nationally and the No. 2 player in North Carolina.
During his freshman season, Hobbs appeared in 10 games, recording 14 tackles and one tackle for loss. He followed that up with 20 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and his first career sack the next year.
Despite missing the first five games of the following season due to injury, he still managed 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks across eight appearances.
Tennessee entered last season with high expectations for Hobbs and continues to view him as a key piece moving forward.
Injuries slowed what could have been a breakout year, but if he recovers fully by summer, he still has the potential to emerge as a major contributor in 2026. The Volunteers are set to open their season against Furman on September 5.
