Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman makes very strong statement about the Tennessee Vols' defensive line

The Tennessee Vols showed they're for real last weekend via their 25-15 win against the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman.

Tennessee's matchup against Oklahoma was the Vols' first real test of the 2024 season. And Tennessee passed that test by beating the Sooners on the road in front of a raucous crowd.

The biggest reason why the Vols were able to get a big win in a night game in Norman was because of the play of UT's defensive line.

Tennessee totaled 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a safety against the Sooners.

The Vols' defensive line created chaos up front all night long -- which kept Oklahoma's offense off-schedule for the majority of the game.

Sooners redshirt senior offensive lineman Branson Hickman told reporters this week that Tennessee's defensive line is the best he's ever played against.

"They're a really talented group, obviously," said Hickman when asked about the Vols' defensive line. "Probably the best I've ever played [against]. You just take what you did wrong and what they did right and just try to learn and build off of it. But they're a really impressive group and it'll make us better in the long run for sure."

Hickman probably won't be the last player that says that this season. Tennessee's defensive line is playing at a high level. And they're playing with confidence and swagger.

Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks took some heat when he said during spring practice that Tennessee should have the best defensive line in the nation this season.

Through the first four games of the season, the Vols' defensive line has made Banks look like a prophet.

Related: Former Alabama RB Mark Ingram points out the trait that he thinks makes the Tennessee Vols 'dangerous'