Tennessee Football: LB Keenan Pili is out for the season

We feared the worst – today we experienced the worst.

Keenan Pili is out for the season due to a torn cruciate ligament. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel announced the official news today.

Pili transferred from BYU in the 2023 offseason. The veteran linebacker was expected to be a plug-and-play starter for the Vols last year but didn't make it past the first game. Pili was injured in the opening game against Virginia and had to end the season.

The entire staff was excited about Pili's arrival in 2024, calling him a leader after just one year on campus. Pili, the only veteran on Tennessee's linebacker depth chart, recorded 29 tackles, still leading the current roster.

Tennessee now turns to Arion Carter, who is developing into a star at linebacker. The former four-star prospect had a game-winning interception against the Gators and is third on the team with 27 tackles. He had five tackles for loss.

The real story here is behind Carter. Jeremiah Telander will be moved up the depth chart along with Kalib Perry. Telander has seen a lot of playing time since last season, but we haven't seen much from Perry. He was pushed out of key positions last weekend and will continue to be so.

Tennessee's first test without Pili is this Saturday against Alabama.