University of Tennessee Athletics
Lane Tabbed Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week
October 06, 2026 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee safety Dejuan Lane was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday following his impactful performance in the Volunteers' 24-14 victory over Auburn last Saturday.
Lane is the ninth player in program history to earn national player of the week honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, and just the fourth defensive player to do so. The last Vol to earn Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors was Darrell Taylor on Nov. 10, 2018, after racking up four sacks in a win over Kentucky.
Lane, who was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts, was a force on Saturday afternoon, leading UT with a career-high nine tackles. The Penn State transfer also set or tied career bests with two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry and a pivotal interception.
Lane's interception came midway through the third quarter and halted an Auburn drive in its tracks. The junior safety returned the pick 32 yards to the Tigers' 44-yard line to set up a Tennessee touchdown on the very next play. The interception was the third of Lane's career and his second this season after having a pick-six in the Vols' win at Georgia Tech in Week 2.
For more information on the Walter Camp Foundation, click HERE.
WR Jalin Hyatt vs. Alabama – Oct. 16, 2022
QB Hendon Hooker vs. Florida – Sept. 25, 2022
DL/LB Darrell Taylor vs. Kentucky – Nov. 10, 2018
QB Joshua Dobbs vs. Missouri – Nov. 20, 2016
QB Joshua Dobbs vs. Georgia – Oct. 11, 2015
QB Erik Ainge at Georgia – Oct. 8, 2006
LB Jerod Mayo vs. Cal – Sept. 3, 2006
DB Jason Allen vs. Alabama – Oct. 24, 2004
Lane is the ninth player in program history to earn national player of the week honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, and just the fourth defensive player to do so. The last Vol to earn Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors was Darrell Taylor on Nov. 10, 2018, after racking up four sacks in a win over Kentucky.
Lane, who was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts, was a force on Saturday afternoon, leading UT with a career-high nine tackles. The Penn State transfer also set or tied career bests with two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry and a pivotal interception.
Lane's interception came midway through the third quarter and halted an Auburn drive in its tracks. The junior safety returned the pick 32 yards to the Tigers' 44-yard line to set up a Tennessee touchdown on the very next play. The interception was the third of Lane's career and his second this season after having a pick-six in the Vols' win at Georgia Tech in Week 2.
For more information on the Walter Camp Foundation, click HERE.
Tennessee's All-Time Walter Camp National Players of the Week
DB Dejuan Lane vs. Auburn – Oct. 6, 2026WR Jalin Hyatt vs. Alabama – Oct. 16, 2022
QB Hendon Hooker vs. Florida – Sept. 25, 2022
DL/LB Darrell Taylor vs. Kentucky – Nov. 10, 2018
QB Joshua Dobbs vs. Missouri – Nov. 20, 2016
QB Joshua Dobbs vs. Georgia – Oct. 11, 2015
QB Erik Ainge at Georgia – Oct. 8, 2006
LB Jerod Mayo vs. Cal – Sept. 3, 2006
DB Jason Allen vs. Alabama – Oct. 24, 2004
Players Mentioned
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