With Rickey Gibson Sidelined, The Vols Won’t Miss A Step With Ty Redmond
Image: Brett Davis
By Aidan Sidoti
After playing just 19 snaps on Saturday, Vol fans saw sophomore starting cornerback Rickey Gibson III exit the game with an injury and did not return.
“Rickey will be out for an extended period here,” Heupel told reporters Monday. “How long? I don’t have the exact timeline on. But he’ll be out for an extended time.”
With Gibson sidelined, true freshman Ty Redmond found himself forced into action early opposite Colton Hood and didn’t miss a step.
In Tennessee’s 45-26 win over Syracuse, Redmond logged 60 snaps and led the Vols defense with a team-high PFF grade of 75.6.
An absolute stud.
The Alpharetta, Georgia native also recorded four tackles and broke up two passes– leading all FBS freshmen in Week 1. A historic debut for a measly three-star prospect who arrived in Knoxville just eight months ago.
“He’s very focused, very locked in like a lot of guys,” defensive backs coach Willie Martinez said Tuesday. “The moment’s not ever too big for him. You know, he’s very calm.”
The arrival of Redmond couldn’t have come at a better time. With Gibson out for the foreseeable future and All-American corner Jermod McCoy still rehabbing a torn ACL, the Volunteers are officially thin in the cornerback room, making Redmond’s health the top priority.
With Redmond in line to make his first career start this Saturday afternoon against ETSU, reporters asked the freshman Tuesday whether anything changes moving forward.
“You know, just preparing the right way for every practice,” Redmond said. “Prepare like I’m the starter. So, when I get that chance, I’m going to be ready.”
Tennessee returns to Neyland Stadium this Saturday for its home opener against ETSU.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m ET on SEC Network+.
