Nobody was aware that the Tennessee Vols had an underappreciated superstar on their roster in 2024.

The 2024 Tennessee Volunteers football team entered the season with high expectations. After a successful 2023 campaign, where they finished with a strong record, the Vols had several key returnees and some promising new faces. But amidst the noise and excitement surrounding Tennessee football, one player managed to fly under the radar—an unheralded superstar who would emerge as a key piece of the Vols’ success. This story is about that player, the one who quietly made an impact, who wasn’t getting the recognition he deserved until he began making plays that had fans, analysts, and opposing teams sit up and take notice.

It is a tale of how talent, hard work, and perseverance can sometimes go unnoticed in a program surrounded by bigger names and louder fanfare. The 2024 Tennessee Vols, for all their star power, had a player who defied the odds and refused to stay in the shadows, proving that an underappreciated superstar can rise to the occasion when the team needs him most.

The Context: Tennessee Football in 2024

Coming into 2024, Tennessee was still riding the momentum from their competitive 2023 season. The Vols had a potent offense, led by the high-flying passing attack that had earned them national attention under head coach Josh Heupel. With quarterback Joe Milton III, a potential future NFL draft pick, and weapons like wide receiver Squirrel White, the offense was expected to remain explosive.

However, with all the attention focused on the high-powered offense and the skilled playmakers around him, one particular position group had flown under the radar for many analysts and fans. Tennessee’s defense, though not necessarily a weakness, had not received as much praise as the offense. Players like linebacker Keenan Peirce and defensive back Jaylen McCollough were expected to be key contributors, but there was one unsung hero on that defense—a player whose name wasn’t being thrown around in the same breath as the stars of the team.

This player was a defensive lineman, and while the Vols had talented players in the trenches, this individual quietly developed into a force to be reckoned with. His rise to prominence wasn’t something anyone had predicted, and in fact, many people didn’t even realize what they were witnessing until it was too late.

Enter the Underdog: The Rise of an Underappreciated Superstar

The player in question was none other than James “J.J.” Roberts, a defensive lineman who had come to Tennessee with modest expectations. Roberts wasn’t a five-star recruit, nor was he a household name in the college football world. He had flown under the radar during his recruitment, overlooked by the media and fans who had focused on other, higher-profile players on Tennessee’s roster. But what Roberts lacked in high school hype, he more than made up for with determination, a relentless work ethic, and an insatiable desire to improve.

Roberts had always been the kind of player who did his job quietly, keeping his head down and working hard every day in practice. He wasn’t flashy, and he didn’t make headlines with his recruitment or early college career. He was part of the “depth” players—guys who were crucial to the team but often didn’t get the attention they deserved. Still, Roberts put in the work in the offseason, lifting weights, refining his technique, and perfecting his understanding of the game.

In 2024, something clicked for Roberts. Maybe it was a year’s worth of experience on the collegiate level, or perhaps it was the confidence that came from finally finding his rhythm. Whatever the reason, he began to emerge as one of the most disruptive forces on Tennessee’s defensive line.

His play was defined by his relentless motor and ability to shed blockers with an impressive combination of speed and strength. He became a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, whether it was getting after the passer, clogging up running lanes, or being a constant presence in the backfield. His impact wasn’t always reflected in flashy stats like sacks or tackles for loss, but anyone watching closely could see the effect he had on the game.

By the time midseason rolled around, Roberts had turned into a key component of Tennessee’s defense. He consistently drew double teams and forced opposing offenses to account for him on every play. He had developed a reputation for being a player who, while perhaps unsung, was simply impossible to ignore. His tenacity and motor made him a difference-maker even if his name wasn’t splashed across the headlines.

The Game-Changing Moments

One of the defining moments of Roberts’ breakout season came during a critical game against Alabama. Tennessee had a chance to prove that they were ready to compete with the top teams in the SEC, but Alabama’s offensive line was one of the best in the country. The Crimson Tide’s offensive line had been able to neutralize nearly every pass-rusher they faced, but they hadn’t encountered someone like Roberts before.

Throughout the game, Roberts was a constant thorn in Alabama’s side. He may not have recorded multiple sacks, but he was routinely in the backfield, forcing quarterback Jalen Milroe to make rushed decisions. On one particular play, Roberts exploded through the line, forcing Milroe to scramble and ultimately throw an interception. The turnover shifted momentum in Tennessee’s favor, and it was a critical moment in the Vols’ eventual victory.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Roberts had similar performances against teams like LSU, Kentucky, and even Georgia. In each of these games, he made key plays that might not have been the most glamorous but were absolutely necessary to his team’s success. His ability to clog running lanes, collapse the pocket, and disrupt the rhythm of opposing offenses was invaluable.

Despite his quiet rise to prominence, Roberts’ impact didn’t go unnoticed for long. As the season progressed, more and more analysts started to take note of his consistency and tenacity. Fans began to talk about him in terms of being one of the most underrated players in the SEC. By the time the regular season ended, Roberts had become an essential part of Tennessee’s defense and one of the most respected players in the conference.

The Stats Don’t Tell the Whole Story

While Roberts’ statistics didn’t leap off the page in the way that some of his teammates’ numbers did, his contributions were undeniable. He finished the regular season with 40 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. But the true measure of his impact couldn’t be captured by stats alone. It was the way he disrupted plays, forced turnovers, and kept opposing offenses from getting comfortable. He was an emotional leader for the Vols’ defense, always fired up and giving his best, no matter what.

Roberts’ performances were often the catalyst for big moments—whether it was a critical third-down stop, a timely sack, or a forced fumble that shifted the momentum. His ability to step up when his team needed him the most was what separated him from other defensive linemen.

National Recognition

As Tennessee’s 2024 season neared its conclusion, Roberts started to receive more national attention. He was named to several All-SEC teams, earning recognition as one of the top defensive linemen in the conference. The media began to highlight his contributions, and analysts started to understand that Roberts wasn’t just another role player—he was a key reason for Tennessee’s defensive success.

By the time the Vols reached a major bowl game, Roberts had established himself as one of the top interior linemen in the country. His story was one of perseverance, determination, and quiet excellence. Roberts had gone from being an underappreciated player, overlooked by most, to one of the most important and impactful players on Tennessee’s roster.

Legacy and Future

James “J.J.” Roberts’ rise to stardom was a testament to the idea that not every player needs to be a five-star recruit to make a difference. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and the headlines, but the truth is that every successful team has its unsung heroes—those players who may not get the glory but whose contributions are crucial to the overall success.

For Roberts, his story in 2024 serves as a reminder that sometimes the greatest superstars are the ones who don’t get the recognition they deserve until they prove it on the field. He may not have been the flashiest player, but his steady improvement, unrelenting effort, and selfless play made him an irreplaceable part of Tennessee’s success that season.

Looking ahead, Roberts’ future in football is bright. As his profile grew, so did the attention from NFL scouts. He had shown that he could handle the physical and mental demands of high-level football, and his play in 2024 made him a draft prospect that no one could ignore. Whether he continued his career in the NFL or returned to college for one more year, it was clear that Roberts had made his mark on the Tennessee Volunteers—and on the sport of college football as a whole.

As the 2024 season concluded, fans in Knoxville would look back on the campaign and remember it not just for the explosive offensive fireworks, but also for the quiet, unassuming defensive lineman who turned out to be one of the team’s most valuable players. The legend of J.J. Roberts was just beginning, and the college football world would never underestimate an underappreciated superstar again.

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