Tennessee linebacker Chris Weatherd, right, and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, left, tackle Utah State running back Joe Hill during the Vols’ season opener against the Aggies at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville in this file photo.KNOXVILLE – Even though he’s only a sophomore, Jalen Reeves-Maybin may as well be considered one of Tennessee’s veteran players.
Such is the perception on one of the nation’s youngest football teams.
It’s a good thing for the Volunteers, then, that the linebacker looked like he was making his 10th start and not his first in the season’s first game.
In his defensive debut, Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee’s special teams ace in 2013, led the Vols with 10 tackles and consistently showed up near the football against Utah State on Sunday night.
“I was pretty comfortable,” he said after Tuesday’s practice. “I think we did a good job preparing for them and looking at them all summer basically, so I knew what to expect from them. I definitely felt prepared.