NASHVILLE – T'Vondre Sweat's improvement – and potential impact – was on display the last time the Titans took the field.
In the preseason finale in New Orleans, the big defensive lineman was disruptive and productive, blowing up the line of scrimmage on several plays as a run stopper, and pass rusher.
On Sunday, Sweat will make his regular season debut against the Chicago Bears.
"It helped me build confidence a lot," Sweat said of his performance in the preseason. "I am a very humble person, but I have a lot of confidence in myself, and my game. And playing in those preseason games helped me out even more, just to let me get used to the speed of the game in the NFL."
Sweat, the team's second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has made great strides since first showing up at rookie minicamp back in May.
Through OTAs, minicamp, training camp and the preseason, he's gotten himself into better shape, and has lost weight.
"I feel a lot better, especially with my weight down," said Sweat, who's listed at 6-4, 366 pounds. "I feel great."
Sweat was a beast at the University of Texas, where he recorded 45 tackles and two sacks, along with eight tackles for a loss, in 2023. He won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman. Sweat was also tabbed a first team All-American performer by the Associated Press, and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Sweat played in 62 games, with 18 starts, over five seasons for the Longhorns. He tallied 128 tackles with five sacks, and 17.5 tackles for a loss.
Now, he's set to kick off his NFL career.
"I am very, very excited," Sweat said. "Honestly, I really can't wait to go out there again. The preseason got me ready for the regular season, and I just can't wait to go out there and have fun with the boys."
