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Tennessee Vols reportedly get huge news for their defense for 2024

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated Dec 5, 2023 12:31 PM ET

The Tennessee Vols' 2024 defense appears to be getting a big boost on Tuesday afternoon, and it wasn't even from anyone outside its own locker room.

Per Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports, LB Keenan Pili is expected to return for his senior season in Knoxville in 2024.

Tennessee senior linebacker Keenan Pili is expected to return to the Vols for another season instead of heading to the NFL, sources tell @247sports.

Pili, a former BYU transfer, missed most of the year due to injury. Was a two-time team captain at BYU.https://t.co/O5dxjyk2jo pic.twitter.com/UpGW502Uzp
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 5, 2023

Pili suffered an upper body in the season opener against Virginia and hasn't played since. As a result, the Vols were forced to push a number of younger players into action, including Elijah Herring, Arion Carter, and Jeremiah Telander, and the result was a struggle more often than Josh Heupel and Tim Banks certainly would have liked.

Pili's return would fortify an area of concern for the Tennessee defense in 2024 and allow the Vols to focus their sights elsewhere for immediate help in the portal for next season.

For his career, Pili has totaled 194 total tackles with 11 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and four pass break ups.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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