Vols fans will love how transfer addition describes playing in Tennessee's defense

The Tennessee Vols' defense is receiving plenty of praise this week after holding NC State to just three offensive points last Saturday night in Charlotte.

One reason the Vols' defense has been so effective in 2024, beyond their depth and talent, is because Tennessee's defensive players are having a lot of fun playing in defensive coordinator Tim Banks' scheme.

Vols defensive back Jakobe Thomas, who transferred to UT from Middle Tennessee State during the offseason, spoke to reporters on Tuesday and he described Tennessee's defense as "carnage".

"Oh by far it's the most fun," said Thomas when asked if UT's defense is the most fun scheme he's played in. "It's just carnage. That's our biggest thing we talk about -- carnage. There's guys everywhere that are making plays. I don't really know how to explain it, it's just something that's so fun. When you see one guy make a play and then you see another guy and another guy and another guy, it's amazing to see everybody having fun."

Tennessee's defense is certainly creating havoc for opposing offenses lately. The Vols haven't allowed an offensive touchdown since the regular-season finale against Vanderbilt in 2023. It's the best stretch from a Tennessee defense since Johnny Majors was patrolling the sidelines in Knoxville.

UT's offense has dominated headlines for the first few years of the Josh Heupel era, but the defense is starting to steal some of those headlines. That's a good thing for the Vols. If Tennessee is going to compete for a national championship this fall, they'll need their defense to be elite. And through two games this season, that's been the case.

Related: ESPN's Rece Davis explains unplanned tribute to legendary Vols announcer John Ward during Tennessee's win against NC State