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Keenan Pili to miss remainder of 2024 season, per Josh Heupel
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Star Tennessee linebacker Keenan Pili will miss the remainder of the 2024 season with a torn ACL suffered against Florida, head coach Josh Heupel told reporters on Monday.
Heupel said that he is “heartbroken” for Pili, a sentiment that the remainder of Vol Nation will ultimately share. The BYU transfer missed most of last season as well.
#Vols coach Josh Heupel confirms Keenan Pili is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Heupel said he’s “heartbroken” for Pili, and rightfully so. Man, did it have to be that guy?
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 14, 2024
This is a major blow to Tennessee’s defense. Pili was the Vols’ leading tackler this season and the leader of what has been one of the top units in the country this season. Pili and the Vols were crushing the Gators on defense before his injury, but suffered some serious communication issues after he left the field until the 4th quarter when Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander and Co. were able to reel the Vols back in and continue in dominant form.
Pili hits hard. There’s no stat for it, but watching him play is like watching Brian Urlacher against your local high school team.
Here’s more from what Heupel had to say about Pili’s injury:
“Keenan – I said it after the game. There’s nobody that represents Tennessee better than him,” Heupel said. “He’s a great leader and will continue to be that inside of our building. “Just, you know, heartbroken for him and his family. A guy that does absolutely everything right and, you know, is special. A special player but a special person too. He has got a great future.”
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
