Trevarris SaulsberryKNOXVILLE — Jordan Williams had seen Trevarris Saulsberry make tackles for loss before Saturday.
Tennessee’s sophomore linebacker likely never had been more excited about the one his longtime friend and teammate made Saturday night.
The two former teammates at Gainesville High School in Florida continued their playing careers together when they signed with the Volunteers in 2011, and both got their first big opportunities at playing time in the loss to top-ranked Alabama on Saturday night.
“I feel like I handled it well,” Saulsberry, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman, said Monday morning about his second career appearance. “Of course I’m going to be nervous and excited, but I feel like I played my role. I just thank my teammates for helping me get there.
“I was already trying to get into the rotation, but when they said my opportunity was here, I had to take advantage. I was like, OK, it’s time to buckle down. You’ve got to do everything right, go watch film, look at the players in front of you, learn from the coaches and take the process as it is.”