Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner is a man who has seen just about everything the game of football can offer. From building powerhouse defensive fronts in the SEC to shaping the next generation of elite linemen, Garner’s experience is unmatched. As the Volunteers approach the final stretch of the 2025 season, his attention has narrowed to two critical components that could determine how Tennessee finishes: run defense and pass rush. With four games remaining, Garner’s message to his players is clear—discipline, physicality, and consistency will define whether this defense can rise to championship form or merely fade into another “what if” season.
Speaking with media this week, Garner didn’t sugarcoat the challenges ahead. Tennessee’s defense has shown flashes of dominance, but it has also revealed vulnerabilities, particularly in critical downs where lapses in gap integrity or missed tackles have extended drives. Garner acknowledged that while the unit’s effort and energy are never in question, execution must match intensity if they want to make a statement in November football. “We’ve done some really good things against the run, and we’ve had some really poor moments too,” he said. “At this point in the season, good isn’t good enough. You’ve got to be great in your technique, great in your discipline, and great in your effort every snap.”
Tennessee’s front seven has been the backbone of its defensive identity under head coach Josh Heupel, and Garner’s fingerprints are all over that group. Known as one of the most demanding coaches in college football, he has built his reputation on developing linemen who not only play hard but play smart. He emphasizes fundamentals—hand placement, leverage, and pad level—while instilling a relentless mentality that prizes controlling the line of scrimmage. “The game is still won up front,” Garner said. “I don’t care how fancy the offenses get, or how much people spread you out. If you can’t control the line, you can’t win consistently.”
That philosophy has paid off at times this season. Tennessee’s defensive line has ranked among the SEC’s best in tackles for loss and quarterback pressures. Players like James Pearce Jr. and Omari Thomas have emerged as tone-setters, giving the Volunteers a blend of power and speed that can disrupt both running lanes and passing pockets. Yet, for Garner, production on paper means little if it doesn’t translate to winning situational football. “We talk all the time about finishing,” he said. “You can’t just play well in spurts. You have to finish drives, finish quarters, finish games. The great ones do that every down.”
In reviewing Tennessee’s recent performances, Garner pointed out that while the front has done a commendable job creating negative plays, there’s room for growth in consistency. Too often, he said, the defense wins on first down, only to give up a chunk play on second or third. That inconsistency has kept opponents in manageable situations and limited Tennessee’s ability to fully dictate the flow of the game. “You can’t let up,” Garner stressed. “You get a tackle for loss, great—but what happens the next play? Championship defenses stack plays. They make the offense earn every yard.”
As the Volunteers prepare for their final four games, the schedule offers no favors. Tennessee will face some of the SEC’s most balanced offenses, teams that can exploit even the smallest weakness in run fits or pass rush discipline. Garner knows that means his group must tighten every detail, from pre-snap communication to gap alignment. “We talk about owning your gap,” he said. “If you’re responsible for a gap, that’s your job. You can’t freelance, you can’t guess. When one guy tries to do too much, that’s when big plays happen.”
One of Garner’s biggest challenges has been managing depth and rotation as the grind of the season takes its toll. Defensive line play demands physical punishment, and keeping players fresh has been a balancing act. Garner has leaned on his younger players to contribute meaningful snaps, and he’s been encouraged by how they’ve responded. “The young guys are growing up,” he said. “They’re starting to understand what it takes to compete at this level. But with youth, you get inconsistency. My job is to get them to a place where the standard doesn’t drop no matter who’s on the field.”
That standard, Garner insists, isn’t just about statistics. It’s about identity—playing with effort, toughness, and pride. “We take a lot of pride in being physical,” he said. “If teams are going to run the ball on us, they’re going to earn every yard. We want offenses to feel us every play. That’s Tennessee football.”
On the other side of the equation, the pass rush has been a storyline of its own. Tennessee has been among the SEC leaders in sacks, thanks in large part to the development of edge rushers who can win one-on-one matchups. Garner credits that success to preparation and relentless pursuit. “Pass rushing is an art,” he explained. “It’s not just about speed; it’s about timing, angles, and effort. You have to rush with a plan. Every rep in practice, we talk about keys—what’s the set, where’s the quarterback’s depth, what’s the down and distance. Those details matter.”
Still, Garner believes the unit has another gear to reach. Against elite SEC offensive lines, winning at the point of attack requires not only athleticism but discipline. “You can’t get too wide or lose contain,” he said. “The best pass rushers are the ones who rush with control. It’s not just about sacks—it’s about collapsing the pocket and forcing bad decisions.”
As Tennessee looks to close out the season strong, Garner’s message to his players has centered on accountability. Every mistake, he says, is an opportunity to learn—but only if the player owns it. “We can correct physical mistakes,” he said. “What we can’t correct is lack of effort or lack of focus. You’ve got to play with pride. You’re representing this university, your teammates, and the guys who came before you.”
That pride is something Garner carries deeply. Having coached at several SEC programs, he understands what it means to uphold the traditions of Tennessee football. He often reminds his players that wearing orange carries a responsibility that extends beyond Saturday afternoons. “When you put on that Power T, you’re representing something bigger than yourself,” Garner said. “You’re representing every player who’s ever walked through that tunnel. That should mean something to you every time you step on the field.”
As the defensive line continues to refine its craft, leadership will be critical. Garner has leaned on veterans like Thomas to set the tone in practice and film study. He believes that leadership by example—showing younger players what it means to prepare the right way—is what builds long-term success. “Leadership isn’t about talking,” he said. “It’s about doing. It’s about showing up early, watching film, practicing with purpose, and playing every down with passion.”
That culture, Garner believes, is what separates good programs from great ones. While Tennessee’s record may not fully reflect the team’s growth, he sees a foundation being built that could pay dividends for years to come. “We’re laying bricks,” he said. “Every rep, every game, we’re building something. You might not always see it on the scoreboard right away, but it’s coming. The work we’re putting in will show.”
For Tennessee fans, that’s an encouraging message. The Vols have shown flashes of being a dominant defensive team, and with Garner guiding the trenches, the pieces are there to finish strong. As the season’s final month approaches, the emphasis will remain the same—win the line of scrimmage, dominate the run, and make quarterbacks uncomfortable. It’s a formula as old as football itself, but one that never loses relevance.
Garner, true to his nature, won’t let his players look ahead or get caught up in hype. His focus remains squarely on the next snap, the next opponent, the next opportunity to improve. “You can’t think about the finish line,” he said. “You’ve got to think about today. What are you doing right now to make yourself and this team better? That’s what matters.”
In a sport where attention often drifts toward flashy plays and highlight moments, Garner’s message is refreshingly grounded. For him, greatness isn’t built overnight—it’s forged in the repetition of daily discipline, in the grind of film study, and in the physical and mental toughness demanded by the trenches. “Football is about habits,” he said. “You don’t rise to the occasion; you rise to your training. If you train the right way, you’ll play the right way.”
