By Brody Rupert
“This game requires the next guy up,” Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel said following Ethan Davis’s season-ending injury. “You’ve heard me talk about that. Our team’s heard that too.”
This has been a theme for the Vols this season. Seven players on the roster — most of whom were starters — are sidelined for the rest of the season due to injury.
Football always requires someone to step up, and three players have answered the call in a big way for Tennessee.
DaSaahn Brame, Tight End
Following a knee injury to Davis, DaSaahn Brame was slotted to be the new starting tight end.
The 6-foot-5, 240-pound sophomore has filled the role well, recording two or more catches in each of his five performances since Davis went down.
His best game came on the road against the Arkansas Razorbacks, catching three passes for 68 yards and adding a 1-yard touchdown run.
His statistics on the season stand at 14 catches for 181 yards, along with two carries that both resulted in 1-yard scores.
He has not been perfect, recording a handful of drops and penalties, including a drop that could have gone for a touchdown early in the 26-10 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
While he may not yet be at Davis’ level, he has delivered when called upon and provided solid play as a starter for the Vols.
Dejuan Lane, Safety
Before the regular season started, starting safety Edrees Farooq was ruled out for the year with a knee injury.
In his place stepped Dejuan Lane.
Lane was initially expected to serve as a key rotation piece, but the injury thrust him directly into a starting role.
“He stepped up,” Ty Redmond said. “There was no drop-off. He is making plays left and right.”
Lane has three interceptions this season, including a key takeaway in the win against Alabama, establishing himself as one of Tennessee’s top defensive contributors.
Donovan Haslam, Guard
Multiple offensive linemen have stepped up due to injuries, most notably when Wendell Moe Jr. went down with a season-ending lower-leg injury.
One of those players is Donovan Haslam.
Pro Football Focus has logged Haslam at 381 snaps on the season — all at right guard — where he has provided steady play.
He holds a 70.2 overall grade, including a 77.5 pass-blocking grade and a 71.7 run-blocking grade, ranking 57th among 670 qualifying guards nationwide.
Crucially, he has allowed just one sack and six pressures despite being thrown directly into SEC competition.
Haslam suffered an injury in Saturday’s loss to South Carolina, but he is expected to be available moving forward.