Tennessee inside linebacker Aaron Beasley is “coming back for sure” for his final season of eligibility, the Georgia native shared with media at Orange Bowl press conference’s Tuesday.
Beasley started at inside linebacker all season for Tennessee where he played beside Jeremy Banks and Juwan Mitchell most often.
The Franklin, Georgia native has played four years at Tennessee, the two most recent as a starting linebacker for the Vols. Beasley recorded better stats in his junior season but graded out significantly better according to Pro Football Focus in his senior season.
In 2022, Beasley totaled 64 tackles, one sack and two pass deflections while playing in all 12 of Tennessee’s regular season games.
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Beasley isn’t the only Vol who announced plans to return to Tennessee for one final season Tuesday. Tennessee defensive tackle Omari Thomas “never thought about” leaving for the NFL following his strong junior season.
The returning Tennessee linebacker already plays an abundance of snaps but will see an even bigger role in the Orange Bowl with Jeremy Banks opting out of the game to begin preparation for the NFL Draft. With Banks out, Beasley will call Tennessee’s defense and is responsible for getting the front seven properly lined up.
While he has the COVID-19 year of eligibility remaining, Juwan Mitchell could join Banks and fellow senior Solon Page III as linebackers not returning to Tennessee in 2023.
In addition to Beasley, the Vols return talented freshman Elijah Herring while bringing in sought after prep linebackers Jalen Smith and Arion Carter as well as BYU transfer Keenan Pili.
Beasley and the Vols face No. 7 Clemson in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy and Katie George are on the call for ESPN.
