Former Tennessee Vols Star Earns Major Endorsement Over Seasoned Veteran as Miami Dolphins Kick Off Preseason.

As the Miami Dolphins open their 2025 preseason campaign, all eyes are on the evolving depth chart—and one of the biggest surprises so far is the rapid rise of a former Tennessee Volunteers standout who’s earning high praise from both coaches and teammates. While most assumed an established veteran would hold onto his position without much of a challenge, the early weeks of camp have told a different story. The young former Vol has not only caught up but appears to have surged ahead, getting the kind of vote of confidence that suggests a real shift is underway in Miami.

The Dolphins are entering a pivotal season. With a roster loaded with talent, expectations are high. After back-to-back playoff appearances, the team is hoping to make a deeper push this year, possibly into AFC Championship territory. That kind of ambition demands difficult decisions, and nowhere is that pressure more evident than in position battles where the line between promise and reliability is razor thin.

That’s where the former Tennessee star comes into play. Drafted in the middle rounds, he came into the league with plenty of potential but also plenty of question marks. Could his collegiate production translate to the pro level? Would his size and speed stand out in a league filled with elite athletes? And could he handle the mental and physical rigors of learning an NFL system quickly enough to contribute in meaningful ways?

Those questions are quickly being answered.

Through organized team activities, minicamp, and now into training camp and the early stages of preseason, this young player has shown remarkable progress. He’s not just holding his own—he’s thriving. Coaches have been vocal about his work ethic, intelligence, and ability to absorb coaching. Every time he steps onto the practice field, he seems to take another leap forward.

“He’s the kind of guy who shows up early, stays late, and makes the most out of every rep,” said one member of the Dolphins’ coaching staff. “We’ve been impressed with his attention to detail. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice, and that’s a trait you can build on.”

His competition for the starting role—or at least significant reps in the rotation—is a seasoned veteran who has been a reliable contributor over the years. That player brings experience, leadership, and a deep understanding of the game. But NFL teams don’t operate on sentiment. They operate on performance, upside, and trajectory. And right now, all three favor the former Volunteer.

It’s not just coaches who are taking notice. Several Dolphins veterans have praised the young standout for his maturity and the energy he brings to the locker room. In walkthroughs, he’s sharp. In team drills, he’s fast and physical. And in scrimmages and preseason reps, he’s turning heads with splash plays—whether it’s a clutch third-down catch, a key block that springs a runner, or a defensive play that shuts down a scoring opportunity.

“He plays like he belongs,” said a veteran teammate. “You wouldn’t know he’s a rookie if you watched him. He’s got that edge to him, but he’s humble. He wants to get better, and he listens.”

That hunger to improve is what has separated him from others. It’s what made him a standout at Tennessee, where he battled adversity and rose through the ranks to become a key player in the SEC. And it’s what’s fueling his rise now, as he challenges the status quo and makes a legitimate push for a starting job—or, at the very least, a major role in Miami’s scheme.

For the Dolphins, this development could be a blessing in disguise. NFL seasons are long, brutal, and unpredictable. Depth is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. If a young player is ready to contribute early, it not only adds talent to the rotation, but it also allows the team to make more strategic decisions about where to invest their cap space, how to manage veteran workloads, and how to plan for the future.

Still, there are risks. Preseason success doesn’t always translate to regular-season impact. The speed, complexity, and pressure of real games are on another level. Coaches know this, and so does the player himself. He’s not taking anything for granted.

“I’m just trying to stack good days,” he told reporters after a recent practice. “There’s so much I still have to learn, but I’m grateful for the opportunity. The vets have been great helping me, and the coaches are pushing me every day. I just want to be ready when my number is called.”

That attitude is earning him even more fans inside the building. One assistant coach remarked that the rookie is the kind of player who makes a team better, whether he’s starting or not. “He raises the level of competition. He keeps guys honest. When someone that young is pushing that hard, it makes everyone around him step it up.”

As the preseason unfolds, this storyline will only gain more traction. The Dolphins coaching staff will have to make tough calls about who gets reps with the first team, who makes the 53-man roster, and how to distribute responsibilities once the real games begin. The veteran in question still brings value and might not be out of the picture entirely, but the writing is on the wall: Miami is preparing to lean more heavily on the young blood, even at the expense of experience.

This kind of decision can define a season. Sometimes it pays off brilliantly—injecting a team with new energy and uncovering a rising star. Other times it backfires, revealing that the player wasn’t quite ready for the spotlight. But in this case, the Dolphins appear confident that they’ve got something special.

The former Tennessee Vol knows what it’s like to have to prove himself. He wasn’t a five-star recruit. He didn’t have a straight path to the NFL. Everything he’s earned has come through perseverance and performance. That mentality is serving him well now, as he steps into one of the most pressure-packed environments of his football life.

For Dolphins fans, this is an exciting development. There’s nothing like watching a young player blossom in real time—especially when he comes in with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. The preseason is a time for experimentation, but it’s also when future stars are born. And if early signs are any indication, Miami may have found one in this former Volunteer.

The next few weeks will be critical. The remaining preseason games, final practices, and roster cuts will all play a role in determining whether this promising young talent earns the job outright or settles into a key rotational spot to start the year. Either way, his presence has already reshaped the conversation in South Florida. He’s not just a camp body or a long-term project. He’s a real contender—and potentially a future cornerstone.

This kind of rise is why the NFL preseason remains one of the most fascinating parts of the football calendar. Beyond the headlines and the hype, it’s a place where rosters are molded, depth charts shuffled, and unexpected names suddenly become household ones. For Miami, the emergence of this former Tennessee Vol could be the spark they didn’t even know they needed.

And for the player himself, it’s just the beginning.