KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee football team wrapped up practice No. 7 of fall camp on Sunday evening at Haslam Field.

Associate head coach/defensive line coach Brady Hoke and offensive line coach Walt Wells spoke to the media after practice about the team’s play in the trenches so far this season.

“I think the kids had a good summer with what they did in the weight room and some of the individual drills that they did, but we’ve got a long way to be a good defensive football team and that starts up front,” Hoke said.

“I think they’re working hard and they’re getting to where they need to be,” Wells said in regards to where the offensive line stands at this point.

Upcoming Schedule
The Vols will have meetings and lift on Monday before getting back on the practice field on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Post-Practice Quotes

Associate Head Coach / Defensive Line Coach Brady Hoke

(On the depth at defensive end)
“I think right now at all positions we’ve got a long way to go. Fortunately, we have fall camp and I think the kids had a good summer with what they did in the weight room and some of the individual drills that they did, but we’ve got a long way to be a good defensive football team and that starts up front.”

(On the maturity and growth of Jonathan Kongbo)
“This summer he was on a mission. He was on a mission to become more of a complete football player. His weight is up to about 275 and he’s handling that well. He just is mature. I wasn’t here a year ago, but he has told me that he was kind of an angry guy a lot of the times and didn’t really like playing inside and all that, but you know he’s come to me and said ‘Coach, I’ll play anywhere you want me to play’.”

(On the possibility of playing Kongbo, Darrell Taylor and Kyle Phillips together)
“You always want to put playmakers on the field and however you can do that, that’s what we’ll do.”

(On what differences he has seen in Kendal Vickers)
“I think No. 1, he’s a senior. With being a senior and a guy who has a lot of pride in his performance, I think he has really pushed himself. The one thing that we talked about is his improvement had to come in extension on contact. He’ll get into a guy but he’s got to be able to block him out in the extension part. That’s going to help him be more productive. He’s a physical guy and I think his leadership has been outstanding.”

(On what Darrell Taylor has done to impress so far this camp)
“Darrell has come out and played hard every day. That’s what he’s done. It always hasn’t been perfect but if you’re playing hard enough, sometimes you make up for not being perfect and Darrell understands that piece of it. I would say the same thing with him (Taylor), he’s shown good leadership by example and the then the vocal part also.”
Offensive Line Coach Walt Wells

(On the status of the offensive line)
“We’re just plug and play right now. There are some guys that will start off the day at practice where they’re at and then we just kind of move everybody around. Luckily, Coleman Thomas and Jack Jones and a variety of guys have played different positions. The one that has probably done a lot is Devante Brooks. He’s played three different spots.”

(On the physicality and where the offensive line is at right now)
“I think they’re working hard and they’re getting to where they need to be. It’s just the total package of having the extra bodies so you’re not out here for two hours. A game is not going to be like practice. We all know that. The way we practice is going to be an even higher tempo. We just have to continue to keep pushing that mentality and we’ll see where it’s at come game time.”

(On Trey Smith practicing inside)
“The one thing you like about Trey inside is his power. He’s got great power. He’s one of our stronger offensive lineman that we have. Obviously, he’s physically gifted. Inside, there’s a little less thought process with the protection part of it.

“He’s worked tackle this summer and he’s worked guard also, so he’s worked both.”

(On the process of building a bully of an offensive line)
“It’s an ongoing process, but I love the guys in our room. They’re good men and they’re coming out and working every day. I’m proud of them for that.”

-UT Athletics