It's been 57 years since Tennessee football last played Texas, so there isn't much familiarity between the two rosters.
Safety T.J. Metcalf, a transfer from Michigan, is one of the few Vols with any recent experience against the Longhorns and star quarterback Arch Manning.
The No. 13 Vols (3-0) play No. 1 Texas (3-0) on Sept. 26 (noon ET, ABC) at Neyland Stadium.
Metcalf remembers facing Manning in the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, a 41-27 win for Texas, on Dec. 31 in Orlando, Florida.
"He's a very great athlete. Got to keep him sound," Metcalf said on Sept. 21. "He can make a lot of great throws. Like I said, he's a great athlete, and I feel like he's a good player. He sees the game. That's something I respect about him."
Manning earned his respect
in the Citrus Bowl. Metcalf tied a team high with seven tackles and defended a pass, but it was one of the best game's of Manning's career − 376 combined rushing and passing yards and four total touchdowns.
Nine of Manning's 21 completions went to Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V, who returned to Texas and make up one of the best receiving corps in the country alongside Auburn transfer Cam Coleman.
Metcalf knows Manning can beat defenses with his arm and his legs. So the task of containing Texas' offense involves more than just strong coverage against some of the better pass-catchers the UT secondary will face all season.
"You definitely do need to read and run and pass, knowing he got the ability to scramble," Metcalf said. "So just having clean feet, clean eyes, reading the right keys and know that he's able to escape the pocket. Being aware of that, I've got to get my cleats in the grass and be ready to make a tackle."
In his third season, Manning has also developed some moxie to complement his outstanding physical tools, according to UT coach Josh Heupel.
"I think you can go back to the Ohio State game, his ability and his team's ability to be resilient, to keep playing the next play, to be in a situation like that and be able to fight back tells you about their competitive makeup," Heupel said.
The Vols are facing the likely candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft in Manning. But Metcalf has confidence his unit has the right scheme and attitude to keep a lid on the explosive Longhorn offense.
"(Defensive coordinator Jim) Knowles does a great job scheming up who we play, making us comfortable in his play calling," Metcalf said. "So all we got to do is just go out there and play ball, be fearless."
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football transfer T.J. Metcalf has faced Texas, Arch Manning. What he knows
