veteran walk-on edge who earns his stripes on special teams
In the 2026 season, Mike Bethea II is a fifth-year Tennessee defensive lineman who has built his role the hard way: after transferring from Maryville College, he redshirted in 2024 and played 12 career games for the Vols, with most of his impact coming on special teams in 2025 and four total tackles across his Tennessee career. His calling cards are effort, toughness, and versatility rather than eye-popping box-score production, which makes him the kind of glue player coaches trust. If your team wants a high-motor, experienced depth piece who embraces assignment football, he’s a solid fit.
