a nasty, durable Vols defensive back who did the dirty work
In the 2007 season, Jonathan Hefney was a tone-setting Tennessee defensive back who started 50 of 51 career games, piled up 226 tackles over his first three seasons, and earned first-team All-SEC honors as a senior. His edge was versatility: he moved between corner and safety, tackled like a linebacker, and brought return-game value too. Scouts and writers consistently framed him as tough, unselfish, and reliable — the kind of player coaches trust when the game gets chaotic. If you want a high-effort, physical DB who can cover, hit, and fit multiple roles, Hefney absolutely belongs on the shortlist.
