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Chris Low, ESPN Senior Writer
Tennessee will be without starting middle linebacker and team captain Keenan Pili for the remainder of the season after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Saturday’s overtime victory against Florida, coach Josh Heupel said Monday.
Pili is tied for Tennessee’s team lead in total tackles with 29. He was in his seventh season of college football after starting his career at BYU. He redshirted his first season at BYU in 2016 and then served a two-year church mission from 2017 to 2019.
Heupel was emotional after Saturday’s win in talking about what Pili has meant to Tennessee during his two injury-plagued seasons in Knoxville and reiterated those sentiments Monday. A year ago, Pili injured his triceps in the first game and missed the rest of the season. He was granted a medical redshirt to return for his seventh season.
“I said it after the [Florida] game that there’s nobody that represents Tennessee better than him,” Heupel said Monday. “He’s a great leader and will continue to be that inside of our building. Heartbroken for him and his family. A guy that does absolutely everything right. Special player, but a special person, too. He’s got a great future.”
Pili was a key part of a Tennessee defense that hasn’t allowed more than 19 points in its first six games this season. The Vols are ranked second nationally in total defense (249.8 yards per game) and fourth nationally in scoring defense (10.7 points per game). They’re giving up just 4.04 yards per play, which also ranks second nationally.
Sophomore Jeremiah Telander will step in for Pili at middle linebacker, and junior Kalib Perry will also be in line for more playing time. Telander has played in all six games this season and was the Vols’ leading freshman tackler a year ago.