Daevin Hobbs Cleared for Action: Can Tennessee’s Star Turn the Tide Against Arkansas?

Isn’t it curious how a single player can turn the tide of a team’s entire season? The Tennessee Volunteers, battered and bruised on defense during their first five games, have finally caught their collective breath—kind of like a marathon runner spotting the water station just in time. That lifeline? Daevin Hobbs, the junior defensive lineman whose absence since August felt like a missing puzzle piece in a jigsaw full of holes. Now, as he shakes off that pesky stress fracture and steps back onto the gridiron for the showdown against Arkansas, coach Josh Heupel’s relief is palpable. Could Hobbs be the game-changer Tennessee needs to push through what remains one of the SEC’s toughest slogs? With Alabama and Florida looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s a comeback story in the making — and one worth watching closely. LEARN MORE

The Tennessee Volunteers are finally catching a sense of relief, and they need that. The Volunteers are coming off their bye week with some seriously good news on the injury updates. After dealing with some defense issues through the first five games, head coach Josh Heupel can finally breathe a little easier.

The main reason behind this? Defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs is back. The junior defensive tackle is officially off the SEC injury report and ready to go for his 2025 season debut against Arkansas this Saturday for a Tennessee defensive front that’s been missing one of its best players all season.

Hobbs has been out since August after suffering a stress fracture in his foot during fall camp. The former five-star recruit was performing perfectly in preseason practices and was expected to contribute to the defensive line rotation this year.

Daevin Hobbs ready to impact Tennessee’s line

“Daevin had a great offseason and was playing extremely well during the course of training camp,” Heupel said during the SEC Coaches Teleconference. The coach was frustrated about losing him right when things were clicking.

But Heupel also had nothing but praise for how Hobbs handled the setback. “Unfortunate, but those things happen in this game. (He’s) done a great job in the rehab process,” he added. “The staff has been really impressed with Hobbs’ commitment to getting back on the field.”

Standing at 6-foot-4 tall and weighing around 300 pounds, Hobbs is a real force in the middle of the line. Last year, he played all 13 games and recorded a total of 20 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. Getting him back now is perfect timing.

Tennessee’s schedule is tough, with Alabama and Florida still on it. Having Hobbs back gives them some much-needed depth and talent up front.

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