# Jordan Norman on Tennessee's defense and Kennesaw State prep > The Tennessee defensive end discusses his sack, working with coach Knowles, and preparing for the upcoming game. - Title: Jordan Norman on Tennessee's defense and Kennesaw State prep - Summary: The Tennessee defensive end discusses his sack, working with coach Knowles, and preparing for the upcoming game. Tennessee's defense is treating Kennesaw… - Keywords: jordan norman, tennessee volunteers, kennesaw state, tim knowles, faizon brandon, south alabama, sec football, defensive line, college football, vols defense, sports, Jordan - Source: Tennessee Volunteers On SI — https://si.com/college/tennessee/football/what-tennessee-de-jordan-norman-had-to-say-before-tennessee-vs-kennesaw-state-01m2ke162xrg - Published: 2026-09-15T23:23:52+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: jordan norman, tennessee volunteers, kennesaw state, tim knowles, faizon brandon, south alabama, sec football, defensive line, college football, vols defense, sports ## Getting his first sack Norman recorded a sack against Atlanta with his family watching. He's only two hours from the city, making it a special moment. > Getting that sack in front of them was a very special moment for me. ## Mental approach to the game Norman says he needs to get out of his own head and just play ball. He's focusing on the next play instead of worrying about his performance. > Just stop worrying about like how I'm playing and worrying about the next play. ## Brandon's dual threat ability Norman praised quarterback Faizon Brandon's elusiveness. He can either run for 40 yards or throw a bomb downfield. > He can, you know, roll out, gas you for 40 yards or he can roll out and, you know, throw a bomb for 40 yards. ## Brandon looks to pass first Norman is impressed that Brandon doesn't just scramble to run. He keeps looking downfield to make plays, which is advanced for a young quarterback. ## Norman's quarterback days Norman played quarterback in little league. He wanted to be like Cam Newton, who was one of his big idols growing up. > I used to want to be Cam Newton. That was one of my big idols. ## Growing as a pass rusher Norman feels he's improving with coach Knowles, who wants him aggressive on the edge. Knowles pushes him to control his position. > He wants me to be on the edge. He wants me to control it. ## Knowles gets rowdy Norman says Knowles' demeanor isn't chill at all. Behind closed doors, the coach gets rowdy with the team. > Behind closed doors, you know, y'all don't see much, but coach Knowles, he gets rowdy for sure. ## Knowles takes accountability Knowles tells the team that any mistake in a game is his fault, but mistakes in practice are theirs. Norman appreciates this approach. > Any mistake that we make in the game is his fault. You know, any mistake we make in practice is ours. ## Knowles at his maddest The angriest Norman has seen Knowles was recently when the scout team messed up the same play three times in a row. > Scout team messed up a play three times in a row. It wasn't good. ## No different preparation Tennessee is preparing for Kennesaw State the same as any other team. They won't take them lightly just because they're not in the SEC. > We can't take them lightly knowing like just because they're not in the SEC or anything like that. ## Scouting Kennesaw State Norman has seen on film that Kennesaw State's quarterback likes to use his legs. They also have receivers who can make plays. ## Everybody's human Norman's mindset at South Alabama facing bigger programs was that everyone's human. Being in a higher division doesn't mean you can't be outplayed. > Just because you're in a higher division than me doesn't mean I can't play better than you. ## Kennesaw State's mindset Norman thinks Kennesaw State will have that underdog mentality. Tennessee needs to come out and show them who they are. ## Best defense he's been on Norman praised the speed of Tennessee's cornerbacks like Quay and DayDay. He thinks this is the best defense he's ever been part of. > I feel like this is like one of the best defense I've ever like been a part of, and I feel like we're going to show y'all that this year. ## Key takeaway Tennessee's defense is treating Kennesaw State with the same intensity as any SEC opponent, refusing to overlook them despite the competition level.