Tennessee football’s highest-graded returning defensive players in 2023

A look Tennessee football’s highest-graded returning defensive players ahead of the 2023 season.

The 2023 season will be Tennessee’s third under head coach Josh Heupel. Heupel has compiled an 18-8 (10-6 SEC) record with the Vols.

The Vols will kick off its 2023 season on Sept. 2 against Virginia at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

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As the 2023 season approaches, Vols Wire looks at the highest-graded returning defensive players for Tennessee.

All grades were gathered using the Pro Football Focus (PFF) database and grading system. Data compiled represents a player’s overall offensive grade from the 2022 season, including postseason games.

Student-athletes who played 20 percent of the minimum number of snaps in 2022 were included.

Below are Tennessee’s top-10 highest-graded returning defensive players entering the 2023 season.