Tennessee LB depth takes a hit with season-ending loss

Nov 15, 2025; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Adam Damante (14) is sacked by Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jaedon Harmon (12) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Tennessee is loaded

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What is the story about?

Tennessee is loaded at a handful of spots on their roster going into the 2026, and on the defensive side of the ball, that’s its linebacker room.

Behind seniors Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander, junior Edwin Spillman, and 2025 third team All-Big Ten selection Amare Campbell, Tennessee has a number of younger players with notable upside waiting in the wings.

Unfortunately, according to VolQuest’s Austin Price, the Vols just lost one of those young players for the season. Price says sophomore LB Jaedon

Harmon tore his ACL in practice on Saturday and is out for the year.

Harmon came to Tennessee from Rome, Georgia, where he was a consensus four-star player and top 200 recruit by On3. He made a quick impact last season as a true freshman. He was a special teams standout and notched 19 total tackles.

Tennessee still has a ton of young talent at linebacker. Rising sophomore Jaden Perlotte showed a lot of promise last year, and incoming freshman TJ White and Brayden Rouse have notable upside.

But it always hurts to lose someone promising regardless of who’s in front of or behind you. You lose the chance for that player to continue his development, and as such, you have to hate that in particular for Harmon.