Tennessee football’s captains are set for its SEC opener against Oklahoma, the Vols announced on X (Twitter) Friday afternoon.
For the first time this season, Tennessee has five captains for a game: defensive tackle Omari Thomas, inside linebacker Keenan Pili, center Cooper Mays, running back Dylan Sampson and long snapper Matthew Salansky.
Salansky has been a captain for all four games this season, Thomas was a captain for the season opener against Chattanooga, Pili was a captain for both the Chattanooga and NC State games, Mays was a captain for the NC State game and this is the first time that Sampson has been a captain this season.
tomorrow’s captains#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/NgHFlYvWuN
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 20, 2024
Thomas and Pili are defensive starters for a front seven that’s been dominant through the first three games this season. Pili has totaled nine tackles this season while Thomas has totaled four tackles and two pass deflections.
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Mays is Tennessee’s starting center and is off to a strong start to his super senior season, earning co-SEC Offensive Lineman of the week honors against NC State. Sampson is one of the top running backs in the SEC, totaling 357 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns so far this season. Salansky is the Vols’ starting long snapper as he has been ever since the 2020 season.
Kickoff between Tennessee and Oklahoma is at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday night at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe are on the call for ABC.
Here’s a look at Tennessee captains for the 2024 season:
Week 1 (Chattanooga):
- WR Bru McCoy
- DL Omari Thomas
- LB Keenan Pili
- LS Matthew Salansky
Week 2 (NC State):
- DL Elijah Simmons
- OL Cooper Mays
- LB Keenan Pili
- LS Matthew Salansky
Week 3 (Kent State):
- LB Arion Carter
- LB Jeremiah Telander
- OL Dayne Davis
- LS Matthew Salansky
Week 4 (Oklahoma):
- LB Keenan Pili
- DL Omari Thomas
- OL Cooper Mays
- RB Dylan Sampson
- LS Matthew Salansky
