Tennessee Defender Xavier Gilliam Makes Program History in Debut

In his first game with the program, Xavier Gilliam does something that Tennessee fans will remember

Tennessee defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam (2) celebrates making a sack during a Tennessee football game against Furman at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 5, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Tennessee Volunteers were making quick work of the Furman Paladins and a large part of that is transfer defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam. Gilliam has been dominant on the defensive line today and is the biggest reason the Paladins offense has struggled to make any progress down the field today.

Xavier Gilliam Dominates the Paladins

Tennessee defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam (2) celebrates a sack on the field during a game between Tennesse and Furman at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 5, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Gilliam is a redshirt sophomore defensive lineman who transferred in from Penn State. In his redshirt freshman season for the Nittany Lions, Gilliam only managed 0.5 sacks. In today’s contest against the Paladins, Gilliam has already surpassed that total by a lot.

Gilliam has produced 3 sacks today to stifle the Furman offense from the start. The offensive line had trouble blocking him from the first drive of the game and never figured it out. His efforts on the line have earned him a nice spot in Tennessee history.

Best Since 2018

Gilliam’s 3 sacks are the most for a single Vol player since the 2018 season. The last time someone had 3 sacks was Darrell Taylor. Taylor had 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in a 38-12 loss against the Georgia Bulldogs. Notably, Taylor actually has 2 career 3-sack performances in his Vols career.

The Vols have had some great defenses in recent years, especially on the defensive line. Gilliam accomplishing something that no recent player has been able to do is a great sign for things to come.

Though the competition is not as stout as it will be in the upcoming weeks, this performance will be something that the Tennessee defense can look to as a foundation to build on. With new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles looking to establish the team’s defensive identity early, he has to be thrilled that one of his former Penn State players is displaying his talents in such a big way. If Gilliam is able to keep dominating on the line, then the Vols will be a tough defense to handle for any team.

---

Send your questions, comments, and hot takes to our email tennesseeonsi@gmail.com for the chance to be featured in an article!

Follow Our Social Media Accounts

• Follow Vols on SI on X (Click HERE)
• Follow Vols on SI on Facebook (Click HERE)
• Follow Vols on SI on Instagram (Click HERE)
• Subscribe to Vols on SI on YouTube (Click HERE)

Sign up for our newsletter to have articles sent straight to your email daily HERE.