The Radio City Rockettes released a video that features the dance troupe performing a choreographed routine to Kelsea Ballerini’s recent No. 1 hit, “Miss Me More.”
“We were inspired by the empowering lyrics of ‘Miss Me More’ and spent the day in our studio dancing to this epic summer anthem,” said the Rockettes via YouTube. “Kelsea Ballerini can join our line any day!”
“Miss Me More,” which was penned by Kelsea, David Hodges and Forest Glen Whitehead, is the third single from Kelsea’s 2017 sophomore album, Unapologetically.
“Whether it’s a partner, friend, colleague, situation or chapter of life, sometimes we lose a piece of ourselves to someone,” says Kelsea. “This song is all about choosing to spend our energy in a way that lets us be the best version of ourselves for the right people—when they come along. I’m so proud that this song and message got the megaphone of country radio. Thank you so much for this number one.”
(This is the fourth in a four-part series on what SEC coaches say about other SEC programs. We focus on the `other’ teams in the West)
By Jimmy Hyams
LSU, Auburn and Texas A&M are the primary challengers to Alabama in the SEC West.
But what about the other West teams? What is expected of them?
Answer: Not much.
Mississippi State had the SEC’s top-ranked defense last year under first-year coordinator Bob Shoop, yet won just eight games.
“Mississippi State missed the boat last year,’’ said one SEC coach. “They had a really good team and one of best defenses in the league. Good for Bob Shoop. He redeemed himself after the crap he put on the field at Tennessee. But they’ve lost a lot on defense.’’
That defense lost two high NFL draft picks: defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and end Montez Sweat. Don’t expect the No. 1 defense in the SEC again.
“Offensively, for Joe Moorhead to be an offensive coach, they didn’t get much offensive production,’’ said one SEC coach. “They didn’t get very creative. They didn’t show much. And they had a special college player in quarterback Nick Fitzgerald.
“Joe hadn’t played against SEC defenses; it’s a lot different than Big Ten defenses with speed and athletic ability. Just look at the NFL draft.
“I’ve heard a couple of people say (quarterback) Kayteon Thompson is better than Fitzgerald. But some of those same people thought Fitzgerald was better than Dak Prescott and that wasn’t the case.’’
And, Penn State transfer Tommy Stevens could be named the starter over Thompson.
Auburn
The Tigers seem to overachieve or underachieve.
But most people agree Auburn has the talent to be dangerous if the quarterback play is competent. Auburn just named true freshman Bo Nix as the starter.
One SEC coach doesn’t think Auburn is headed in the right direction.
“I think Auburn will fire Gus Malzahn before November,’’ the coach said. “I think the Auburn people are fed up. They’ve never been a consistent big-time program but they haven’t played well the last three of four years (Auburn won the West in 2017). If not for (defensive coordinator) Kevin Steele they’d be sub .500. Kevin Steele has held that program together. They play good defense.
“All Gus does is blame the guy calling plays. Hell, then call the plays yourself. … Why has their offense been inconsistent? Coaching.’’
Another coach sees potential on The Plains.
“Auburn has a chance because they’ve got good returners on defense, particularly the defensive line and secondary,’’ the coach said. “This could be their best defense in years.
“The offensive line is much better than it was at this time last year. The running backs and wide receivers are pretty much the same. JaTarvious Whitlow could gain 1,000 yards if he stays healthy. The $64 million question is, most teams that win at a high level don’t do it with a non-returning quarterback. To do it, you have to have outstanding maturity and talent surrounding him.’’
Arkansas
Second-year coach Chad Morris has his work cut out for him. The Hogs were winless in the SEC and 2-10 overall.
“Arkansas is a hard place to recruit to,’’ one SEC coach told me. “It’s arguably the hardest job in the SEC because it’s out there in left field. They don’t have the same recruiting base as most other SEC schools. They’re on par with Vanderbilt in terms of recruiting disadvantages.
“Their recruiting base for years and years and years was Texas, but they only play in the state of Texas one time a year if they go to Texas A&M. People will leave the state of Texas and go play, but only if you’re winning.’’
Morris hopes to win with one or two transfer quarterbacks: Ben Hicks, who passed for over 9,000 career yards at SMU, and former A&M starter Nate Starkell.
“Chad Morris did a good job at Clemson (as offensive coordinator) and he’s reunited with his quarterback at SMU (Hicks). Their offense should be better this year but they don’t have enough talent on defense to stop anybody. They’re getting more energy and creating a positive environment. But they are way behind on players and it’s hard to catch up.’’
OLE MISS
Ole Miss lost a productive quarterback and three talented receivers. It will be difficult to make last season’s scoring output.
“Matt Luke has done a great job in terms of managing a difficult situation because he’s a positive, upbeat guy, and probably because he’s Ole Miss family,’’ one SEC coach said.
“He doesn’t get worn out with the frustration of what he’s up against because he’s completely committed to it all the way. Somebody who is not Ole Miss through and through might have thrown their hands up and said, `This is a tough hand we’ve been dealt here.’’’
The Rebels not only lost several talented offensive players, but they don’t have much on defense, either.
“Ole Miss doesn’t have the talent,’’ one SEC coach said. “The probation has served its purpose. They’ve got scholarship reductions but there’s another side to that coin. The players you’re getting know you’re going on probation so you’re not getting quality. It’s not just the reduction of scholarships, but the reduction of quality signees. Plus, you’ve had transfers.
“They’ve been pretty good on offense and had some great receivers. But the offense is not even close to last year. ‘’
(This is the third in a four-part series on what some SEC coaches had to say about other SEC programs. We have already written about Tennessee, Florida and Georgia. Here are the other SEC East teams)
By Jimmy Hyams
Georgia and Florida are clearly the class of the SEC East, if you believe voters.
Both are ranked in the top 10 in the coaches and AP polls.
The next likely challenger: Missouri.
Why: Quarterback transfer Kelly Bryant and the schedule.
Don’t be shocked if Missouri begins the season 8-0 before facing Georgia in November. In addition to non-conference games against Wyoming and West Virginia, the Tigers will likely be favored over SEC foes South Carolina, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
“Kelly Bryant is a good football player,’’ one SEC coach said. “He’s a winning SEC quarterback.’’
Said another coach: “We thought he was average at Clemson but had great players around him. Playing in the SEC will be a lot different than in the ACC. Defensively, the SEC is a lot better.’’
One SEC coach complimented the Tigers’ head coach: “Barry Odom has done a good job. He had the best quarterback in the league last year (Drew Lock) and at critical times and in the bowl game and against South Carolina, when the game was on the line, Lock didn’t play that well. They had some bizarre play calling and lack of situational awareness.’’
Odom’s success has come mostly without high profile players.
“Missouri has been doing it with guys not well known in recruiting,’’ one coach said. “They develop them. They’ve won the East twice, good for them. Gary Pinkel did a great job. But that’s an indictment on other teams in the East because they (Tigers) were destroyed in the SEC championship game by Alabama and Auburn. Missouri should be happy at 6-6 or 8-4 and take their SEC check.’’
Missouri is appealing an NCAA ban on playing in a bowl. Until the appeal is settled, Missouri remains eligible for a bowl. If not, the challenge could be greater to field an eight-win team.
“I have a lot of respect for their head coach,’’ one SEC coach said. “He just has the ability to keep them fighting and getting the most out of what he has – like Gary Pinkel did.’’
Kentucky
Kentucky had its first 10-win season since 1977. The Wildcats beat Florida for the first time since the 1980s.
It was a break-though season for Kentucky and coach Mark Stoops.
“The guy that does the best job coaching job in the East is Mark Stoops,’’ one SEC coach said. “He lost a load of talent so he’s doing to have his work cut out for him. They could be a non bowl team after winning 10 games, because they don’t have a dynamic running back coming back, don’t have a dynamic quarterback coming back, don’t have a great a receiver.
“Eddie Gran (offensive coordinator) does a good job with what he has. They did a good job managing games and winning games last year. (Running back) Benny Snell was a difference in going 5-7 and 10-2, He’s a special guy.’’
Snell isn’t the only key player Kentucky must replace.
“They ain’t replacing those three defensive guys (Josh Allen, Mike Edwards, Jordan Jones),’’ one coach said. “They were difference makers. They’re going to go back to being Kentucky. But Mark did a helluva job.
“If they win 10 every four years that’s a damn good job. You just don’t want to go back to 4-8. If you go 6-6 and get a bowl game and win that, that’s still good football for Kentucky and I think Kentucky people understand that.
“In this league, it’s hard to sustain 10 wins, even for the top six teams in the league. I think they’ll be .500 this year. They lost too many key players. And let’s face it, his name is not Calipari, he’s not finding five-stars to replace those guys.’’
South Carolina
Coach Will Muschamp says this is his best team at South Carolina. Perhaps, but it’s unlikely the Gamecocks will match the nine wins from 2017. They might be hard pressed to make a bowl, given a schedule that features Alabama, Georgia and Clemson.
“South Carolina has some talent but is not very disciplined,’’ one SEC coach said. “A lot of people got hurt last year and that brought into question their strength and conditioning program. They wilted in the fourth quarter in their first SEC game against Georgia. Clemson is their biggest game and they’ve given up 56, 34 and 56 points in three years, so how to you fix that?’’
Muschamp is entering his fourth season. He’s 22-17 with records of 6-7, 9-4, 7-6.
“It’s put up or shutup time,’’ one SEC coach said of Muschamp. “I think there are some issues internally. But they’ve got a chance to be better than they were last year.
“I think Jake Bentley is a good player, tremendous person. But some think he’s the second-best quarterback on the team behind the freshman (Ryan) Hilinski.’’
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt has been to a bowl game two of the last three years – a stat Tennessee can’t claim.
That certainly helps build equity for coach Derek Mason, who has won three in a row against the Vols.
“As long as Derek Mason is the head coach, they’re always going to play with effort and focus,’’ said one SEC coach. “But at the end of the day, the SEC is as close to the NFL as it gets in talent, and that catches up with you.’’
One SEC coach thinks Mason talks too much.
“Mason does a good job but he needs to hire a guy to tell him what to say and when to say it,’’ the SEC coach said. “He has a knack for saying things to motivate other teams. I think he does a helluva job coaching, especially on defense.’’
Vandy will be hard pressed to replace quarterback Kyle Shurmur.
“Their quarterback (Shurmur) was one of the top three in the league last year and I don’t think they can replace him,’’ one SEC coach said. “Kalija Lipscomb is a great receiver but they need a quarterback to get him the ball. And Ke’Shawn Vaughn is a great running back. I’m not sure about (transfer QB) Riley Neal. He went to Ball State for a reason.’’
One coach had this assessment: “If you go 6-6 at Vanderbilt, you’re doing a helluva job, with those academics. But they’re in the SEC and they’re in Nashville. Those are two big positives in recruiting. They’ve beat Tennessee three in a row and five out of seven. I never thought I’d see that. Tennessee can thank Derek Dooley and Butch Jones for that. I can assure you, that ain’t something Jeremy Pruitt wants on his resume – to be compared to Dooley or Pruitt.’’
Before the ACM Honors ceremony kicked off in Nashville on Aug. 21, a bevy of country stars walked the red blue carpet outside the Ryman Auditorium, including Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Chris Young, Midland, Maddie & Tae, Chris Janson, Martina McBride and more. In addition, Tony Orlando made a surprise appearance to accept the Casino of the Year Award on behalf of Mohegun Sun Arena.
The ACM Honors recognized the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 54th ACM Awards, including Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride (ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award), Gayle Holcomb (ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award), Miranda Lambert (ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award), Kacey Musgraves (ACM Jim Reeves International Award), Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming and Billy Joe Shaver (ACM Poet’s Award) and A Star is Born (Tex Ritter Film Award).
After canceling six shows in July and August, Alabama has postponed the remaining 20 dates on their 50th Anniversary Tour as frontman Randy Owen continues to deal with vertigo and migraines.
Alabama bass player Teddy Gentry released the following statement: “The 50th Anniversary Tour has been very special to us. The support of the fans and their energy at all of our shows has led to some of the most fun we’ve ever had onstage. As disappointed as myself, Randy, and Jeff are to have to postpone this tour for all of our incredible fans, we know that Randy’s recovery is what is most important for everyone at this time. We would like to thank our fans, promoters, and venues and we look forward to seeing you all soon.”
Rescheduled dates for the tour will be announced in the coming weeks.
Alabama was celebrating a half-century of making music with their 50th Anniversary Tour. The cross-country trek kicked off in January with an announced run of more than 50 shows featuring an array of openers, including Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Beach Boys, John Anderson, Restless Heart, Exile, John Michael Montgomery, Scotty McCreery and more.
Alabama 50th Anniversary Tour [Postponed]
Aug. 23 | Van Andel Arena | Grand Rapids, MI (w/ Restless Heart)
Aug. 24 | The Country Fest’s Neon Nights | North Lawrence, OH
Aug. 29 | Mohegan Sun Arena | Wilkes|Barre, PA (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
Aug. 31 | Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion | Gilford, NH (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
Sept. 1 | Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion | Bangor, ME (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
Sept. 13 | Fox Theatre | Detroit, MI (w/ Exile)
Sept. 14 | Tailgates N’ Tallboys | Peoria, IL
Sept. 27 | Martin Luther King Jr. Arena | Savannah, GA
Sept. 28 | Hertz Arena | Estero, FL
Oct. 3 | Colonial Life Arena | Columbia, SC (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
Oct. 4 | Legacy Arena at the BJCC | Birmingham, AL (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
Oct. 10 | Donald L. Tucker Civic Center | Tallahassee, FL (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
Oct. 11 | Spectrum Center | Charlotte, NC (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
Nov. 1 | WinStar World Casino & Resort | Thackerville, OK
Nov. 2 | Intrust Bank Arena | Wichita, KS (w/ The Beach Boys)
Nov. 8 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Alliant Energy Center | Madison, WI (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
Nov. 9 | Bankers Life Fieldhouse | Indianapolis, IN (w/ Restless Heart)
Nov. 20 | Bridgestone Arena | Nashville, TN (w/ The Charlie Daniels Band)
Here’s an updated list of University of Tennessee players in the National Football League, with stats from last week, entering week 3 of the 2019 NFL preseason. I’ve also included some notes, jersey numbers, unofficial depth chart positions, breakdowns by position and much more.
You will also see the list of players that were at UT at one time before transferring and others that have local ties to the Knoxville area that did not attend the University of Tennessee.
NFL rosters are expanded right now and can be kept at up to 90 players until final preseason cuts August 31.
I’ll update this list throughout the year here on my blog “Vince’s View.” Bookmark my blog page and check back often.
Most Recent News
-Titans released OLB Jordan Williams
-Williams was brought back and placed on the Titans’ reserve list, so he does not count toward the roster of 90
-Buccaneers released DB Micah Abernathy days after signing him
-Titans signed LB Quart’e Sapp
-Sapp gives gives the Titans 3 VFL LBs, 2 of which are active
Inside The Numbers
-Currently 38 U. of Tennessee players on NFL teams
-There are 7 players that were once at U. of Tennessee but then transferred
-There are 3 players that didn’t attend UT, but have Knoxville/East TN ties
-20 of the 32 teams have a UT player
-Pittsburgh has the most UT players with 4
-2 VFL rookies are in the NFL right now (none are draft picks)
-LB is the position group with the most VFLs
-2 VFLs are currently playing in the CFL
Tennessee Volunteers On NFL Teams as of 8/21/19 (38) x = rookie Note: Includes stats from last week and game results
Atlanta Falcons Luke Stocker (80) TE (2nd team TE) Started at TE, 1 ST tackle Matt Simms (9) QB (4th team QB) 9-of-19, 85 yds, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 car 8 yds, 2 fumbles lost
*Loss vs. Jets
Baltimore Ravens Morgan Cox (46) LS (starting LS) no stats
*Win vs. Packers
Buffalo Bills Jason Croom (80) TE (4th team TE) DNP
*Win vs. Panthers
Carolina Panthers Michael Palardy (5) P (starting P/H) 7 punts 51.3 yds per Rashaan Gaulden (28) DB (2nd team SS) 4 tackles, 1 TFL
*Loss vs. Bills
Chicago Bears Tyler Bray (9) QB (3rd team QB) 6-of-13, 53 yds, 1 car -1 yd Cordarrelle Patterson (84) WR/KR (2nd team WR & starting KR) DNP
*Loss vs. Giants
Cincinnati Bengals Josh Malone (80) WR (2nd team WR) Started at WR, 1 rec 13 yds
*Win vs. Redskins
Cleveland Browns Britton Colquitt (4) P (starting P/H) 3 punts 42.3 yds per
*Win vs. Colts
Dallas Cowboys Jason Witten (82) TE (starting TE) Started at TE, 1 rec 10 yds
*Win vs. Rams
Denver Broncos Alexander “AJ” Johnson (45) LB (2nd team ILB) Started at ILB, 2 tackles Ja’Wuan James (70) OT (starting RT) Started at RT, no stats
*Loss vs. 49ers
Detroit Lions Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) LB (2nd team OLB) 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD Justin Coleman (27) DB (starting CB) Started at CB, 2 tackles
*Loss vs. Texans
Houston Texans Zach Fulton (73) OL (starting RG) Started at C, no stats Trevor Daniel (8) P (starting P/H) 2 punts 38.5 yds per
*Win vs. Lions
Kansas City Chiefs Dustin Colquitt (2) P (starting P/H) 3 punts 44 yds per Kahlil McKenzie (66) OG (2nd team LG) no stats
*Loss vs. Steelers
Los Angeles Rams John Kelly (42) RB (3rd team RB) 5 car 11 yds, 1 rec 9 yds
*Loss vs. Cowboys
New England Patriots Jacob Johnson (47) FB/TE (3rd team TE) 1 rec 9 yds
*Win vs. Patriots
New Orleans Saints Alvin Kamara (41) RB (starting RB/2nd team KR) Started at RB, 4 car 15 yds Shy Tuttle (74) DT (4th team DE)-x 2 tackles Colton Jumper (51) LB (4th team WLB) 4 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PD
*Win vs. Chargers
New York Jets Kyle Phillips (98) DE (3rd team DE)-x 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FR Matt Darr (3) P (2nd team P) 3 punts 42.7 yds per
*Win vs. Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles Derek Barnett (96) DE (starting DE) DNP Malik Jackson (97) DT (starting DT) Started at DT, no stats Alex Ellis (48) TE (6th team TE) no stats
*Win vs. Jaguars
Pittsburgh Steelers Ramon Foster (73) OG (starting LG) Started at LG, no stats Daniel McCullers (93) NT (2nd team NT) no stats Cameron Sutton (20) DB (2nd team NCB & CB) 2 tackles, 1 TFL Joshua Dobbs (5) QB (2nd team QB) 6-of-11, 95 yds, 1 INT, 1 car 5 yds, 1 tackle
*Win vs. Chiefs
San Francisco 49ers Emmanuel Moseley (41) CB (4th team CB) 2 tackles
*Win vs. Broncos
Tennessee Titans LaTroy Lewis (45) LB (3rd team OLB) 1 tackle, 1 QH Jordan Williams (40) DE/OLB (reserve list) DNP Quart’e Sapp (40 ) LB (4th team ILB) DNP, just signed this week
*Loss vs. Patriots
One-Time Vols That Transferred (7) x = rookie
Buffalo Bills Lee Smith TE (85) *Powell HS/Tennessee/Marshall (2nd team TE) Started at TE, no stats
*Win vs. Panthers
Miami Dolphins Preston Williams (82) WR *Tennessee/Colorado St (3rd team WR)-x Started at WR, 1 rec 7 yds, 3 PRs 12 yds Dewayne Hendrix (73) DE *Tennessee/Pittsburgh (4th team DE)-x 1 tackle
*Loss vs. Buccaneers
Oakland Raiders Nathan Peterman (2) QB *Tennessee/Pittsburgh (3rd team QB) 8-of-8, 41 yds, 3 car 13 yds
*Win vs. Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers Jalen Hurd (17) WR *Tennessee/Baylor (2nd team WR)-x no stats Daniel Helm (43) TE *Tennessee/Duke (5th team TE)-x no stats
*Win vs. Broncos
Tennessee Titans D’Andre Payne (28) CB *Tennessee/Iowa State (5th team CB)-x no stats
*Loss vs. Patriots
Knoxville Area Players That Didn’t Play At U. of Tennessee (3) x = rookie
Dallas Cowboys Randall Cobb (18) WR *Alcoa HS/Kentucky (starting WR) 1 rec 7 yds Chris Jones (6) P *Carson-Newman (starting P/H) 3 punts 49.7 yds per
*Win vs. Rams
Minnesota Vikings Harrison Smith (22) S *Catholic HS/Notre Dame (starting SS) Started at SS, 1 tackle, 1 PD
*Win vs. Seahawks
VFLs In The CFL (2) Kendal Vickers – Edmonton Eskimos – DL (97) 2nd team
*Season stats = 9 GP, 5 tackles, 1 sack
Jonathan Kongbo – Winnipeg Blue Bombers – DE (2) 2nd team
*Season stats = 3 GP, 4 tackles
Recent Free Agents From Late Last Season That Played at U. of Tennessee
Eric Berry S
Justin Hunter WR
Ethan Wolf TE
James Stone OL
Justin Martin DB
Alexis Johnson Jr. NT
Keller Chryst QB
Micah Abernathy DB
Kendal Vickers DE (CFL)
Jonathan Kongbo (CFL)
Teams Without Any Players On Current Expanded Rosters From UT (12)
Arizona Cardinals
Green Bay Packers
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Los Angeles Chargers
Miami Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings
New York Giants
Oakland Raiders
Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington Redskins
UT Players In The NFL By Position (38)
QB – 3
RB – 2
WR – 2
TE – 5
FB – 1
OL – 4
DL – 5
LB – 6
DB – 4
P – 5
PK – 0
LS – 1
Cumulus Broadcasting Knoxville’s Sports Department staff covers Tennessee football practice daily. The Vols held practice #17 of the fall on Wednesday at Haslam Field in Knoxville.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — We’re only 10 days away from the 128th season of Tennessee football and players and fans alike are eager for the first official whistle to sound.
The expectations, the competition and the hard work pulse throughout the Vols’ roster and are particularly palpable on the defensive side of the ball, an area that head coach Jeremy Pruitt has focused on emphatically throughout fall camp.
None of those measures have fallen short on junior defensive lineman Matthew Butler, who is currently the most experienced in his group with 17 games under his belt. Pushed quickly into a guiding role after senior Emmit Gooden went down with a season-ending knee injury during camp, Butler has already prepared to step into that spot.
“I know there’s a high expectation for me and I just try to meet it every day,” the Raleigh, N.C., native said. “Whether I had been here for a day or for as long as I’ve been here, that’s just the mentality that the whole team takes into everything.
“I’m very eager. We’ve been putting in the work not just all spring and fall, but really since the beginning of our careers — we’re just ready to play games.”
Butler, who was named 2018 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll, is unfazed by the pressure that comes with a lead role and he largely credits that to his experience in the VOLeaders Academy last year. VOLeaders Academy aims to inspire student-athletes to find ways to use their passion of sport and their influence to enact positive change that transcends their athletic success.
Through the program, Butler and 18 other UT student-athletes traveled to Rwanda for 10 days this summer to learn about how sports impact the country’s culture. While there, he found that some of those experiences could also help him on Saturdays at Neyland Stadium.
“It was an awesome experience, being able to go to a different continent and a different country and learning how other people live,” Butler said. “It’s not really so much different from America. Then, when you’re there, you’re thinking how can I get better at football because you feel like you might be behind. But then at the same time, learning all of those things makes you a better person, leader and football player.”
Focused on improving in every aspect from a season ago, the Vols defense continues to learn and develop as camp comes to a close.
“I feel like we’ve progressed a lot from day one,” said Butler, who registered 13 tackles through nine games in 2018. “If we get tough coaching, we’re able to capitalize on that coaching. If we get praise, we’re able to capitalize on that praise. At the end of the day we’re just trying to get better.
“There have been a few little tweaks because of coach Derrick Ansley, but we’ve really caught on to everything and we’re understanding not just our assignment, but how the whole defense is around our assignment and what our assignment contributes to the whole defense.”
Bumphus Takes to the Defense
At the end of the 2018 season, junior LaTrell Bumphus joined the defensive line. After playing tight end for the first two seasons of his collegiate career, he has made one of the biggest adjustments as he embraces a new defense.
At 6-3, 273 pounds, Bumphus is looking the part, but he has also been impressing the Vols staff in fitting into his new place on the field.
“The guy that has probably stood out, that we think has the potential is Bumphus,” defensive line coach Tracy Rocker told media last week. “Bumphus has really improved and is getting better as a football player. His body has changed. He’s playing defensive end and it’s been really good to have him there. And, he seems to enjoy it. He enjoys practice. He enjoys getting better. So that’s been a plus for me. He’s embraced it.”
The Savannah, Tenn., native, echoes those sentiments and wants to help the team wherever he can.
“It’s just something I can do and I am going to do what they ask me to do,” Bumphus said. “I am feeling better (about the position). I kind of played it a little bit in high school ,so I have an understanding of it. With all the coaches and players, they help a lot as well. I am working with all the coaches because they are doing what is best for me. They know what the next step is I need to take.”
Player Quotes from Wednesday Media Availabilty
Senior DB Nigel Warrior
On the benefit of understanding the different positions in the secondary:
“You’ve got to learn it. The benefits of those is making plays and knowing what the next man has, so if he’s out there and he asks the question, ‘ hey, what I got?’ We can tell him right then and there. Tell him and go on and get the job done.”
On if he enjoys playing the STAR position:
“I enjoy every position on the field. It’s just good to actual know what you have to do because, like I said, going back to what I just told him, it’s good if somebody asks you a question and you get to tell them [the answer]. That means you’re learning. If you get to teach somebody something, you’ve learned it twice. Being at NICKEL felt pretty good and I hope I get to play that role also this year.”
On the hardest thing about learning and teaching a new defense:
“I’d say just the different concepts. It’s just got to be embedded in your head. It’s kind of hard to take everything at one time and then think you’re going to go out there and do it. It takes time, so learning those things, it has its complications, but it also has its benefits.”
On the difference it will make having Derrick Ansley as the defensive coordinator:
“I feel like it will have a difference, but in the end it all comes down to the players. Going back to the second time being in Coach Pruitt’s program, this is on us. You know what I’m saying? He can call the calls and do all that, but at the end of the day we’re the one’s that make the plays, so it comes down to us. I’m thankful for coach Ansley – don’t get me wrong on that – all of our coaches, but at the end of the day it comes down to the players.”
On the different looks Coach Jim Chaney has brought to the offense:
“He’s hitting us with all type of stuff. That’s a good question. They just coming with a lot of ammo. Like I said, they’re making us better. They have us seeing formations that we haven’t seen, they going out of formations that we haven’t seen to formations we have seen. Things like that. Eye discipline. They are helping us with eye discipline. At the end of the day, I’d say that’s what’s really going on, eye discipline.”
Junior DL Matthew Butler
On the defensive line’s progression:
“I feel like we’ve progressed a lot from day one. If we get tough coaching, we’re able to capitalize on that coaching. If we get praise, we’re able to capitalize on that praise. At the end of the day we’re just trying to get better.”
On his experience with VOLeaders in Africa this summer:
“It was an awesome experience, being able to go to a different continent and a different country and learning how other people live. It’s not really so much different from America. Then, when you’re there, you’re thinking, how can I get better at football because you feel like you might be behind. But then at the same time, learning all of those things makes you a better person, leader and football player.”
On how much he’s looking forward to the season opener:
“I’m very eager. We’ve been putting in the work not just all spring and fall, but really since the beginning of our careers. We’re just ready to play games.”
On being one of the defensive line’s more experienced players:
“I don’t really think about it often. I know there’s a high expectation for me and I just try to meet it every day. Whether I had been here for a day and for as long as I’ve been here, that’s just the mentality that the whole team takes into everything.”
On if he understands the defensive system better in coach Pruitt’s second season:
“For sure. There have been a few little tweaks because of coach Derrick Ansley, but we’ve really caught on to everything and we’re understanding not just our assignment, but how the whole defense is around our assignment and what our assignment contributes to the whole defense. When you know that, you’re going to know football and when you know that, you’re going to excel as a pass rusher.”
Junior DL LaTrell Bumphus
On how fall camp has been:
“It has been good. We are all striving each day to get better at the things we need to do.”
On if he feels better at the defensive line:
“Yes sir. I am feeling better. I am working with all the coaches because they are doing what is best for me. They know what the next step is I need to take.”
On what the biggest challenge is to changing positions:
“I would say the biggest challenge is learning the technique and understanding why I need to do what I need to do.”
On pass rushing and if he likes it:
“It’s just something I can do, and I am going to do what they ask me to do. I kind of played it a little bit in high school, so I have an understanding of it. With all the coaches and players, they help a lot as well.”
Junior WR Josh Palmer
On how he feels the offense has progressed:
“We are coming together. Going in every practice. We just finished camp, and I feel like we have come a long way since Coach (Jim) Chaney came in. I feel like we are all coming together as one and working hard.”
On the 17 practices and if it is time to play someone else:
“Yeah it is. In film, it gets a little boring watching the same players over and over. It has been great. Camp was helpful and now all we can focus on getting ready for the season.”
On where they have made the biggest strides:
“Mentally. We are a lot more bought in. We learn the game. We are more physical. When I say bought in, I would say more of coming together. It is more so that after last season we realized that we wanted a lot more and we are willing to do whatever it takes to get there.”
On how he is feeling confidence wise compared to last season:
“I am more confident. This camp was great. We all worked hard. As a receiving corps, we all pushed each other. Confidence is pretty high amongst the team.”
Redshirt Junior OL Marcus Tatum
On the shuffling of the offensive line:
“I like it. It is really just developing a healthy offensive line throughout the season. There is no way you can stay with the same five throughout the whole year. People get hurt, injuries happen every day. It is great to develop a cohesive offensive line at all positions.”
On having more depth compared to years past:
“It is a lot different. We’d been going out there to some practices in the last couple of years with like six or seven people who can actually go through a practice. Now, it feels good to get through indy [individual periods] and get to the team periods and not be winded because we only have six people.”
On the differences with coach Jim Chaney implementing his offense:
“Just consistency. Being able to have a coordinator in spring then in camp, it feels good to have a solidified offense.”
On having the same strength coach for two years:
“That means a lot. That’s probably the biggest difference. They know our weights, they know our strengths and weaknesses, they know how our bodies develop, they know what works for us.”
On how he feels after gaining weight this offseason:
“I feel a lot more solid. The hits don’t hurt as bad. I know when I was younger, after the games I just felt way more sore. Practice and everything. Now, it’s just normal practice.”
On the mentality of the offensive line and if there is a difference in the way he plays:
“I’m just tired of losing. It’s really embarrassing to go out there and have everybody blame it on us. It usually is our fault most of the time. I just want to make a difference. I don’t want to be that whole excuse of why we are losing and why this university is falling apart.”
Our Cumulus Broadcasting Knoxville sports department staff was there as Vols S Nigel Warrior spoke to reporters in a group setting at UT on Wednesday. Watch that interview below.
Vols S Nigel Warrior / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal
Our Cumulus Broadcasting Knoxville sports department staff was there as Vols OT Marcus Tatum spoke to reporters in a group setting at UT on Wednesday. Watch that interview below.
Vols OT Marcus Tatum / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal
