Tennessee’s tone-setter at linebacker, but durability was the storyline
Keenan Pili brought veteran leadership, on-field communication, and downhill physicality to Tennessee’s defense; in the 2024 season, he had 29 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss before a torn ACL ended his year. He was widely viewed as a high-IQ, captain-caliber middle linebacker who could wear the green dot and stabilize the unit, but his NFL-style traits were repeatedly tempered by a tough injury history that kept cutting his seasons short. If you want a savvy, intense, plug-and-play field general, Pili checked the box—when healthy.
