FORT WORTH, Texas – The Davey O’Brien foundation revealed Tuesday that redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton III is one of 35 quarterbacks named to the Davey O’Brien Award watch list.
The award is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award and is presented to the nation’s best college quarterback each year.
The strong-armed signal caller from Pahokee, Florida, was one of five SEC quarterbacks tabbed to the watch list.
Milton enters his sixth collegiate season and third at Tennessee in 2023. After serving as Tennessee’s backup quarterback last fall, Milton was thrust into action as the starter in the final two games of the 2022 campaign. He engineered the Tennessee offense to a 56-0 victory at Vanderbilt to close out the regular season before capping the year with an MVP performance in the Capital One Orange Bowl as the Vols took down No. 7 Clemson, 31-14.
Milton was marvelous in Miami Gardens, firing 19-of-28 passes for 251 yards and a career-high tying three touchdowns to lead UT to its first New Year’s Six bowl victory during the College Football Playoff era (2014-present). The win punctuated Tennessee’s first 11-win season since 2001 and first win in the Orange Bowl since defeating Oklahoma in 1939.
The veteran quarterback has made 17 appearances for Tennessee with four starts over the past two seasons, and he finished the 2022 campaign completing 53-of-82 (.650) passes for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns with no interceptions. Of the 114 FBS quarterbacks to throw 10 or more touchdowns last year, Milton was the only one to have zero picks.
On Oct. 17, the official Davey O’Brien Midseason watch list will be released and will include all active quarterbacks from the preseason watch list.
The 35-man Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2023 will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Fan voting will occur through social media and will play a heavy part in the semifinalist, finalist and winner voting totals when combined with the national selection committee’s ballots. Voting will begin on Oct. 24.
The list of semifinalists selected from the QB Class will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 7. The Foundation will announce the three finalists two weeks later (Tuesday, Nov. 21). The 2023 Davey O’Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 7, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
A complete list of Tennessee’s preseason honors can be found below.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After a day off on Sunday, the Tennessee football team was back on the practice field Monday morning to kick off week two of preseason camp.
Following Monday’s session at Haslam Field, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee and select offensive linemen spoke to the media about the group’s performance so far this camp.
Despite losing top-10 draft pick Darnell Wright and multi-year starter Jerome Carvin from last year’s unit, the o-line room brings back plenty of experience across the board with players ready to step in and fill those spots.
That depth has created some exciting position battles, particular at tackle and left guard, that continue to play out each day.
“We have more depth right now than we’ve had in years,” redshirt senior Jackson Lampley said. “There are a lot of guys who can fill out both spots … They all have a lot of playing time and experience here.”
With intense position battles taking place, UT’s line is leaning on the leadership from returning starters Javontez Spraggins and Cooper Mays, who enter the season with 49 combined starts between them.
“The energy, that guy is non-stop. Every day, he gets it going,” Elarbee said of Spraggins’ leadership. “There’s not a more energetic, juicy guy on the field play-in and play-out, and I think guys thrive off that.
“It’s energy, but also, when he goes on the field, he backs it up. It’s physicality. It’s not a fake ‘rah-rah’ energy, he’s out there competing, and he wants the best. Couldn’t be prouder of the way he’s playing, but the leadership he’s showing and demanding from his teammates, it’s awesome.”
While Spraggins brings unmatched energy and enthusiasm, Mays has been a rock in the middle of the offensive line at center, a position that is key in setting the pace for Tennessee’s high-tempo attack.
“This offense, as fast as it goes, making those calls and not having to double call stuff (is huge),” Elarbee said about Mays. “The way he sees the game, he sees all 11, understands it, provides leadership, knows the technical aspects too, can coach young guys, complete package. That guy is awesome. He gets it on every single level, from football to meeting room to leadership, all sides of it.”
A full transcript of Elarbee’s post-practice media availability along with select player quotes can be found below.
On the experience that Andrej Karic and John Campbell Jr. bring… “At this time of year – spring, summer, fall – everybody is out there competing. Even guys who are returning starters or not, you never live completely in the past. Some guys who are a little older maybe catch a break here or there, but this early in camp, everybody is trying to go out there and compete and start. The competition makes everyone better.”
On if their (Karic and Campbell) practices reflect what they have seen on film… “For sure, no doubt in that. I think both of those guys are even better. They’ve grown since last year. That’s the great part about it. They’re both really good. Glad they are here.”
On Addison Nichols’ development at the center position… “He’s doing good. He had a better day today. He’s still roaming between center and left guard. I think all of our centers have to do a better job snapping the football right now, but that’s kind of the start of camp and spring any time, but we’re working to correct that as we speak.”
On how Nichols is balancing the two positions… “That’s the same thing that Jerome [Carvin] had to do last year, Ollie [Lane] has to do, Vysen [Lang] is having to do. There are some guys that just have to be able to do multiple positions and it’s part of it. We script every single rep of practice, so we make sure you’re getting enough of left guard, you’re getting enough at center and balancing it out. (We) try to rotate the sections in which you get to play left guard or center, whether it’s inside, team-run or team. (You) try to give them the best shot to do it, but that’s part of it. You have to be ready to go if you’re going to be the left guard, and if you’re going to do center, you have to be able to do what Jerome did last year.”
On John Campbell Jr.’s improved conditioning… “I think two things with John. I think he’s a little bit healthier. He played all of last year and had the injury, and I think he’s just moving better, but also, for sure in shape. Then it’s just the confidence of knowing the offense a little better. The more you know what you’re doing, and have confidence in it, the faster you’re going to play as well.”
On when first-team guys will begin to get more reps… “You have to get through the first scrimmage, then it starts to solidify itself. We’re rotating, everything is scripted, so whatever the combination ends up being, they’re getting a portion, where it’s a half or a third or three-quarters of practice next to the guy that’ll end up potentially being the starter just because of the way it all rotates through. So, you try to get as much of that core unity, but also, if you don’t have competition, you don’t give guys a chance to go and earn a spot, you get stale real fast.”
On Gerald Mincey’s summer… “(He’s) done a really good job. Probably had his best day today. You never know until you go back and watch the tape, but him and JJ [Jeremiah Crawford] both being able to flip and play both sides, they’ve done a good job with it. It’s not easy, trying to flip the plays in your head and play fast. That is a tough ask. He’s done a really good job. There are still some technical things here and there he has to clean up, and we all have to get in shape to play the speed we want to with the physicality we want to, but he’s had a really good start to this camp.”
On the relationship Joe Milton III is developing with the offensive line… “I think Joe has been awesome. You feel him at practice every day, just his energy, his leadership, his vocality, and honestly, his play, too. All those things to be a leader count but being able to put it on the field and guys seeing you make throws and make the offense go builds confidence in him. They kind of just gravitate to him, it’s built in. If you are an o-lineman and you don’t love your quarterback and don’t protect with everything in your life and think he’s the world, then you’re in the wrong position.”
On the energy Javontez Spraggins is bringing… “I think if anyone will have the biggest jump in their tape, I’m hoping it’s going to be Spraggs because he’s been just unbelievable this spring, summer and fall. From his protection to the knowledge of the game, to the leadership, just such a growth out of him. The energy, that guy is non-stop. Every day, he gets it going. There’s not a more energetic, juicy guy on the field play-in and play-out, and I think guys thrive off that. It’s energy, but also, when he goes on the field, he backs it up. It’s physicality. It’s not a fake ‘rah-rah’ energy, he’s out there competing, and he wants the best. Couldn’t be prouder of the way he’s playing, but the leadership he’s showing and demanding from his teammates, it’s awesome.”
On the value Cooper Mays brings as a veteran… “It makes it a lot easier. This offense, as fast as it goes, making those calls and not having to double call stuff (is huge). The way he sees the game, he sees all 11, understands it, provides leadership, knows the technical aspects too, can coach young guys, complete package. That guy is awesome. He gets it on every single level, from football to meeting room to leadership, all sides of it.”
On having to manage egos for tackles fighting for starting spots… “I think that’s part of it. I do think Danger [Dayne Davis], that guy has started some games too and has continued to improve. I feel like we have four tackles. Ego plays a part in it. You try to stress in the meeting room every day, if you are an offensive lineman, you have to love the guy next to you more than you love yourself. If his successes are better than yours, you have to be cheering him on just as much as you would cheer yourself on. You try to put that mentality into it, but at the end of the day, you have got a room full of 21 guys, and there are only five that can start. Everyone is here to start and go play, and they’re trying. All we can do is continue to stress the core values of who we want to be as a team, and right now, they’ve done a great job of pushing each other and not letting ego play a role.”
On Brian Grant’s development… “(He’s been) really good. He had a challenge. He was a right tackle his first year and kind of bounced over and played left. His body has changed so much. He’s like a freaking computer. Smart young man and gets it strain-wise. Does everything right; there’s never a question. You tell Brian to do this, Brian is going to go do it. Obviously, the year after this year, we have a few guys that may graduate and move on, so it’s important for his development to continue, because there are going to be some of those young guys that are going to have to step up real fast.”
On if Spraggins leadership has developed in recent years… “I think Spraggs has always had energy, juice (and) effort. He would try to lead, and it was just like a missile with a fin missing, (it) was not always just right on the mark. But now, that guy has pinpoint accuracy. Every word that comes out of his mouth, he’s on it. He knows what the pulse of the situation is, what needs to be fixed, what direction – as an offensive line, as a team – we need to go, young guys, everything. Super, super proud of him.”
On the competition at the offensive tackle position so far throughout fall camp… “It’s been great. Everybody is working hard to better themselves. We are feeding off each other, giving each other pointers where we see fit and helping each other out. Overall, it’s been a battle with those guys. I’ve been competing hard with those guys, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it comes out at the end.”
On how much more comfortable he is now compared to his first few seasons at Tennessee… “It’s night and day. I catch myself a lot in meetings. There will be stuff that I forget here and there. It’s little stuff that you really have to be solid with to know the offense. More times now I’m helping the younger guys figure stuff out. That’s the part that comes with being an older guy with experience is you get to help those younger guys come along and learn the playbook.”
On how he would describe this senior group on the offensive line… “We have a lot of experience and a lot of old guys. We’re all going to be ready to play at the end of the day. The guys that came in like me, Ollie (Lane), Gerald (Mincey), Jeremiah (Crawford) and Cooper (Mays) are trying to lead these younger guys to come along. We are trying to let them know that when we’re gone that they are going to have to keep up the reputation of the T and the power of the T. It’s going to have to come back with those guys, so we are trying to bring them along quickly.”
On if being a big presence in the offensive line room throughout his time at UT has affected him… “I’m the same guy as I was last year. As far as the football standpoint, I’m pushing even further every day because I know those guys are gone (Darnell Wright and Jerome Carvin). Our road isn’t bumpy as far as the o-linemen, we can have guys plug-in, and it would be the exact same offensive line or even better than you’ve seen in the past. It’s not really a big panic for us, now we got guys who can fit into those spots and can get this National Championship for us. We are basically working every day just to get to that point. To get to that point of maximizing our abilities so we can go ahead and go out there and play. Really just show everybody what type of team we are this year.”
On what it means to have the mentality of loving the guys next to you more than you love yourself in the offensive line room… “It means everything to me. Without having love for the guy next to you or anybody on your team, you’re not going to play to the best of your ability for that person. It’s all up to the individual himself, whether it’s our offensive linemen, defensive linemen, big skill person, whatever position it is, if we’re a team we’re all working together to fulfill each other’s goals. We all have one goal, which is a National Championship.”
On what he liked from what he did last season and what he wanted to improve on… “As far as me, I have a great a time with what I’m doing now. Really pass sets and getting to run sets and a lot of stuff, but the main thing I really wanted to focus on was me being able to change directions really good. Really just stay on guys for longer than what I’m supposed to. Being able to hold on an extra four or five seconds when it gets rough, when it gets to those deep balls needing to be thrown. Just being able to finish and complete my job but not only be able to help other guys around me. No matter what we’re doing, wherever we’re taking the ball, whether I’m helping my right tackle, helping my center, I just want to be able to move the ball and just really be playing. What I saw from last year is I can do all the things but it’s just tiny things that might interrupt. Just getting those tiny things fixed will be the key for me to finishing.”
On his relationship with Joe Milton III… “I knew Joe for a long time, (we were) high school rivals. We used to go on bus tours together. It’s just a great plan for having someone you know from high school, that’s one thing I didn’t have at the U, any of my guys there. Just seeing other guys, having high school teammates and friends that they knew, it was just really good to play for those guys, it really builds chemistry. I just think it’s a good thing to play with someone you know. It just probably makes someone just want to go harder and the extra mile for that person, just have their back.”
On his confidence from spring practice compared to now… “I’m not going to lie, my confidence skyrocketed. Throughout the spring, I was figuring it out. It’s just schemes, football is schemes. We kind of run the same plays, but here probably splits are wider, fast tempo. I had tempo with Coach (Rhett) Lashlee, so I’m used to it. It’s been smooth, though. I feel like I’m going the right direction. I feel very, very confident. I feel like I got my high school senior year confidence.”
On what he brings to the table in terms of skillset that he feels the most confident about… “I just feel like I bring a lot to the table. I can pass block, I can run block, I can get in space, I’m fast, I can run. I feel like this is a system to show what I can really do. This system, they’re putting me in space, they’re giving me opportunities to make plays, big plays for the team. I’m just going to make plays, that’s what I’m going to do.”
On how the left guard and right tackle position have looked so far throughout fall camp… “We have more depth right now than we’ve had in years. There are a lot of guys who can fill out both spots. Me, Addison Nichols, Ollie Lane and Andrej Karic are the guys that you would see at left guard. At right tackle, we’ve had a lot of guys like Gerald Mincey, Jeremiah Crawford and Dayne Davis. They all have a lot of playing time and experience here. It’s really good to look at them in that spot.”
On areas that his game has improved in… “For me, one of the biggest things that I’ve improved on heading in to fall camp is my punch in pass pro, pass blocking and also leadership in general. I think those have been the biggest things that have really helped me out so far.”
On what John Campbell Jr. brings to the table… “John is really sound in the pass game. He’s as quick as a cat and big. He’s a really athletic player, and it’s really good to have him at left tackle, especially considering we got him from his previous school last year.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Week one of preseason camp continued to roll along on Friday morning as Tennessee had its first practice of the fall in shoulder pads after two days in just helmets.
The Vols’ linebackers were at the top of the list of position groups that were most excited for the first day in pads. With veterans Aaron Beasley and Keenan Pili, along with a group of talented young returners and freshmen, UT’s linebacker room has as much depth and potential as any on this year’s team.
Linebacker’s coach Brian Jean-Mary met with the media following Friday’s practice at Haslam Field to talk about his group’s growth from last season.
“Every coach, I think if you asked them what their number one goal is would say quality depth,” Jean-Mary said when asked about what feels different about this year’s group. “When you don’t even have the bodies to go out there and compete, it’s hard.
“I say it all the time that the best coach in the world is competition. You’re going to get the most out of guys if they know that guy behind them is nipping at their heels and is able to play at a high level. With the depth that we’re building, we are going to be able to play multiple guys. We feel like we are going to get them to play at a high level.”
Beasley enters this season as the unit’s leader after pacing the team with 76 tackles and a career-high 13 tackles for loss in 2022. The Georgia native will look to pick up where he left off after an incredible performance in the Vols’ Orange Bowl victory over No. 7 Clemson, when he led all players with 12 tackles, four TFLs and a pair of sacks.
The next step in his progression is taking on more of a leadership role, one that Jean-Mary said is coming along despite it not being the most natural trait for the soft-spoken Beasley.
“Aaron is a soft-spoken guy,” Jean-Mary said. “He’s one of those guys that always feels like he has to earn the respect from everybody before he’s going to step out and lead. We are asking him to come out of his shell a little bit. He’s done that in his own way.
“He’s never going to be the loudest guy in the room or be very boisterous, but you can see that especially the younger guys gravitate to him and really take heed to what he’s saying when he speaks.”
After losing four seniors from last year’s linebacker group, finding another veteran player was high on the team’s priority list in the offseason, and the addition of Pili from BYU has been the perfect fit.
“It’s been valuable,” Jean-Mary said of Pili’s presence and experience. “We really only had one veteran guy coming back. We brought in a guy with a wealth of experience in Keenan Pili who has played at a high level, and a guy who is a team player … He’s been a perfect fit in the room, for the defense and for the whole team.”
The duo of Beasley and Pili will be leaned on heavily in 2023, not only for their production on the field, but also for their mentorship to the younger players in the room like sophomores Elijah Herring and Kalib Perry, as well as talented freshmen Arion Carter, Jalen Smith and Jeremiah Telander.
“He’s been in the game for a while and he’s been doing his thing,” Perry said when talking about Beasley’s maturation. “Even Keenan Pili has had a lot of years at BYU and he adds a new versatility. He’s more of a bigger linebacker and adds a big leadership role behind him. Him and Beasley keep pushing us.”
A full transcript of Jean-Mary’s post-practice media availability along with select player quotes can be found below.
On if Aaron Beasley played the Mike or Will linebacker position last year… “He was a combo guy for us. He actually played a couple of games at Will. That’s why he led us in snaps. He was always our combo that we could put in at Mike or Will. He had some games where I’m not sure if he started at Will, but he played a ton at Will for us last year.”
On if Beasley’s skillset fits the Will linebacker position the most… “I think it fits both. Early on last season, I thought he was playing at a high level at the Mike linebacker position before Juwan (Mitchell) came back last year, and then we slid him to where he could play either or. I think skillset and experience wise; it would be easy for him to go back and play Mike tomorrow if we asked him to.”
On if Keenan Pili is a traditional Mike linebacker… “When you say traditional Mike, I want to be careful. He’s not a throwback three yards in a cloud of dust that just runs into people. He’s a bigger guy, but he’s super athletic. We don’t mind putting him in space, blitzing him or putting him into coverage. I want to be careful about saying traditional because we like to consider both of our guys versatile enough to be outside and inside linebackers.”
On how he has seen Aaron Beasley’s leadership skills grow… “It’s a work in progress. Aaron is a soft-spoken guy. He’s one of those guys that always feels like he has to earn the respect from everybody before he’s going to step out and lead. We are asking him to come out of his shell a little bit. He’s done that in his own way. He’s never going to be the loudest guy in the room or be very boisterous, but you can see that especially the younger guys gravitate to him and really take heed to what he’s saying when he speaks.”
On how different the linebacker room looks than when he first arrived here at Tennessee… “Every coach, I think if you asked them what their number one goal is would say quality depth. When you don’t even have the bodies to go out there and compete, it’s hard. I say it all the time that the best coach in the world is competition. You’re going to get the most out of guys if they know that guy behind them is nipping at their heels and is able to play at a high level. With the depth that we’re building, we are going to be able to play multiple guys. We feel like we are going to get them to play at a high level. I think we are getting to the point where we can be a third, fourth or even fifth team deep at linebacker. That’s going to be a blessing. Obviously, you knock on wood because you don’t want any injuries to happen. The depth aspect is going to be great.”
On if he likes the dynamic of the young guys in the linebacker group… “I’m very happy with the young guys. They all are going to progress at different levels, but I think from Arion Carter, Jalen Smith, Jeremiah Telander, and I still put Kalib Perry, Elijah Herring and Ben Bolton in that same category, those are all guys whose best football is ahead of them. We are really happy with the athleticism and their attention to detail as football players.”
On if Arion Carter is still impressive or has moments where you realize he is still a freshman… “It depends on the day. There’s never going to be perfection. Youth always equals mistakes, and we just want to limit the amount. The thing with Arion is that he plays so hard, fast and is a great athlete so he’s able to overcome some of those mistakes that maybe some other people can’t. We are not going to spoon-feed him. We are going to keep force-feeding him and putting him in difficult situations so he learns from them and if he does it right, he can explain why he did it right. We feel confident that if he does it wrong, we are going to be able to correct it and make sure he does it right the next time. I think he’s right where he was, and I think he’s probably a little further ahead than where he was in the spring. Obviously, we are expecting big things from him the rest of this camp.”
On how beneficial it is to have Keenan Pili’s experience in the linebacker room… “It’s been valuable. We lost a bunch of guys. If you go off of seniors or guys who had their eligibility up last year, we really lost four guys last year. That’s big in the room. Even the guys who didn’t play a lot that had a presence in the room, they almost sounded like coaches. When you lose that, we really only had one veteran guy coming back. We brought in a guy with a wealth of experience in Keenan Pili who has played at a high level, and a guy who is a team player. I think when guys come out of the portal, that’s always the biggest question with them, is how they will mesh with the team. Our culture, and the way we are building it, is not for everybody. It’s not one where if you come in and have a selfish bone in your body or you’re a me guy, it doesn’t fit. He’s been a perfect fit in the room, for the defense and for the whole team.”
On what it means to him when Jalen Smith refers to him as a second father… “First, I would say I probably should get a tax break because I only got two kids, Brooke and Brittany, two girls. Secondly, it’s appreciative. I don’t take the position I have for granted. I know we are in a position where we have the chance to help shape their lives. He’s got two great parents. Got a chance to get to know them during the recruiting process. He’s got two unbelievable parents. I don’t take that for granted. I appreciate the statement, I told him that doesn’t mean he’s not going to get coached hard, might mean he’s going to get coached harder. At the end of the day, coaching is not just teaching, it’s not just instructing, it’s also caring about these kids and making sure that their futures are going to be set by the experience that they had with you.”
On what stood out about Jeremiah Telander and Jalen Smith and where they are… “Obviously, with what we do offensively, we have to be able to get aligned fast. I love it, because you have to be able to think on the run. I think that’s the part, the biggest wow factor for them coming out of high school. I thought the spring helped a lot. They’re getting better, but the processing has to happen a lot faster. Which is great for us, because if you have to process fast, it means you know what you’re doing. Obviously, with the physical part of the game, the speed of the game, it has to keep coming. There are still some times, if they’re a step late with their read, the ball has passed them. We have to get better there, but we’ve been happy with what they’re doing. They’ve all flashed. I’ve said I’ll put Arion (Carter) and obviously Kalib (Perry), Elijah (Herring), Ben Bolton), all of those guys, they’ve all flashed a bunch. I think, like I said, their best football is ahead of them.”
On how much they’ve worked on the preparation to create more turnovers or make game changing plays… “It was the lead bulletin point for Coach (Tim) Banks. I think everybody in our individual rooms, we talked about it. For us to take the next step, we have to go and take the ball from people. Our offense does a good job of not giving it to the opponent, we have to match them as far as the rate that we take it from people. With Coach (Josh) Heupel, I should mention him too, that was one of the main bullet points that he had in his first team meeting, was we have to do a better job. Whether it be intercepting the ball, caused fumbles, strip sacks on quarterbacks, fourth-down stops, whatever we can do to get the possessions back to our offense. We know how explosive our offense is, and if we get the ball to them at a high rate, our percentage of winning is going to go through the roof.”
On his decision to come to Tennessee a few years ago and what he has found out about Tennessee since he got here… “I feel like I’m about to write a book report. To answer the first part of that question, the thing that was attractive. As a kid that grew up in the northeast in the 80s and early 90s and moved down south in the mid-90s, obviously Tennessee program-wise was top tier, one of the best programs in the country. That stood out to me as a high school kid. Then getting to college, I didn’t play college football too far from here. I played at Appalachian State. There was a lot of Power-T’s in that area of North Carolina. Then getting into the coaching profession, I cut my teeth in the South and actually in this conference, and Tennessee was always a program that you admired from afar. When the opportunity came, obviously I was at a place with a lot of tradition and a really good program, but there was something in me that said that’s worth at least kicking the tires on and seeing what the opportunity would be. After talking to Coach Heupel, getting the chance to speak to Coach Banks, someone I knew and respected for a long time. Then, obviously with Coach Martinez and Coach Garner, guys that I’ve had to coach against for a long time. The respect factor was there. I knew what the situation was coming in, and it was blind faith. I really believed in the vision that Coach Heupel had when we spoke. Obviously, I had the chance to coach against him when he was at Central Florida. I saw the makings of what they were doing there, and I had a pretty good inkling that we were going to be successful here.
“The second part of the question, what I’ve found since I’ve been here, unbelievable place. Great university, Knoxville is an unbelievable city, great people. The passion for football is even greater than I thought it would be. Neyland Stadium, I said a couple of years ago, and I still think it’s the best football experience for a college football fan or player in the country.”
On how possible it is for Aaron Beasley to replicate the success that he had in the Orange Bowl… “I would say if you asked him that and he didn’t say that he thought he could play better, I would be disappointed. I think that’s the Aaron that we expect to see in every game. I think there were some plays that he left out there on the field that definitely could have been made. You’re talking to a guy that believes in him as much as anybody else in the building. I think the kid has a unique skillset and a high playmaking ability. I still tell people all the time that I think the best is yet to come from that kid.”
On what part of his game has improved… “Just becoming very detailed, to where if I have to tell the defensive line to watch the ball or the hard count, just recognizing the whole formation, looking to the back, looking to the field, just being very detailed on the field. Seeing everything before the ball snaps and finding little details with the linemen, wide receivers, the quarterback or the running backs.”
On how much more comfortable he feels compared to last season… “It feels good. I wouldn’t say I am comfortable, but I am getting used to it. It’s a good feeling to able to be a Mike and to be able to see everything. It’s great to be confident in what you are doing out there because I mean, it’s a lot of stuff going on and there’s a lot of stuff the linebackers have to do back there. It just gives you a good feeling and a good sense of pride to be back there and be able to control the whole defense.”
On if there has been a specific player that has impressed or excites him this season… “I wouldn’t say that there is one player. I would say there is one position group though. The defensive line just has a bunch of freaks on there. It’s crazy, they are freaks of nature. You got Caleb (Herring), James (Peace Jr.), Roman (Harrison), (Joshua Josephs), and Chandavian (Bradley) on there. They are just specimens out there. The whole defensive line is just so good at their craft, and they each just have their own style of play, so it’s just great to go out there and see them play.”
On what is different about him from this time last season… “I think just getting more comfortable with it and seeing things differently as a linebacker. You are going to approach more contact as a linebacker because you are right there by the linemen. Just seeing things, recognizing formations and knowing where to be at. As a defensive back in high school, you are sitting back and seeing everything, but when you are down and depending on the linemen, that can take away from a play. So, not taking myself out of a play and being efficient with what I’m doing.”
On how Aaron Beasley has mentored him this offseason and adding Keenan Pili to the room… “Beasley has always been a great leader. He’s a little bit more quiet and sits back, but he’s always looking out, looking on the field to see what you can do a little bit better. Even in the meeting room, he will point out little things with missed reads to see where you can get in better position. He’s been in the game for a while, and he’s been doing his thing. This past season, he had a really great season. He’s kind of got his years behind him, so he’s been a huge part. Even Keenan, he’s has had a lot of years at BYU. He came here, and he adds a new versatility. He’s more of a bigger linebacker and adds a big leadership role behind him. He’s been very helpful, always looking out for the younger guys. Even with Beasley, they’re communicating with each other and pushing us.”
On if he has taken any traits from being a defensive back into being a linebacker… “Whenever I see certain formations and seeing them as a broad perspective, but also just covering. I have kind of had a transition with covering guys in man defense with vertical hooks and stuff like that, so I think that was a big part of it. Being able to play man coverage has helped me a lot, and I am transitioning that to linebacker now.”
On what it’s been like getting to Tennessee and how he feels like his decision went down… “I’m pleased, most definitely. Just getting in the system, being around all the guys, just learning the culture and seeing how I fit as a whole. I love it here, and I’m really happy with my decision.”
On the different personalities of the coaching staff… “Start with Coach BJ (Brian Jean-Mary). Coach BJ is the same guy every day. A guy who comes to work, a guy who’s going to push you, a guy who wants the best for you every single day. Just knowing that makes me a better player. It makes me want to come in and work every day. Not only prove to myself but prove to coaches I am who I say I am. Coach BJ is just a great coach overall. Love him to death. Coach (Tim) Banks is a real chill guy. Sets the standard and he expects you to meet the standard. He’s not too big on mistakes, but once he coaches it up, he expects you to learn from it and move on from it. I really like that as him being a coach because it’s not that much time each practice. Even though we have a certain amount of practices, each practice is expensive reps that you have to capitalize on each day.”
On how much of a benefit it is to have a tight knit group in the linebacker room before the grind of the season starts… “Going through fall camp each and every day, really starting off in spring and then summer workouts as we build a good relationship. We all hang out together. Being able to get to know and a feel for everybody as I came in. It’s just helpful, because when you’re down, a brother is able to pick you up. You’re able to lean on a brother some days, and they are able to lean on you just because of the trust. That’s been great.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Week one of preseason camp continued to roll along on Friday morning as Tennessee had its first practice of the fall in shoulder pads after two days in just helmets.
The Vols’ linebackers were at the top of the list of position groups that were most excited for the first day in pads. With veterans Aaron Beasley and Keenan Pili, along with a group of talented young returners and freshmen, UT’s linebacker room has as much depth and potential as any on this year’s team.
Linebacker’s coach Brian Jean-Mary met with the media following Friday’s practice at Haslam Field to talk about his group’s growth from last season.
“Every coach, I think if you asked them what their number one goal is would say quality depth,” Jean-Mary said when asked about what feels different about this year’s group. “When you don’t even have the bodies to go out there and compete, it’s hard.
“I say it all the time that the best coach in the world is competition. You’re going to get the most out of guys if they know that guy behind them is nipping at their heels and is able to play at a high level. With the depth that we’re building, we are going to be able to play multiple guys. We feel like we are going to get them to play at a high level.”
Beasley enters this season as the unit’s leader after pacing the team with 76 tackles and a career-high 13 tackles for loss in 2022. The Georgia native will look to pick up where he left off after an incredible performance in the Vols’ Orange Bowl victory over No. 7 Clemson, when he led all players with 12 tackles, four TFLs and a pair of sacks.
The next step in his progression is taking on more of a leadership role, one that Jean-Mary said is coming along despite it not being the most natural trait for the soft-spoken Beasley.
“Aaron is a soft-spoken guy,” Jean-Mary said. “He’s one of those guys that always feels like he has to earn the respect from everybody before he’s going to step out and lead. We are asking him to come out of his shell a little bit. He’s done that in his own way.
“He’s never going to be the loudest guy in the room or be very boisterous, but you can see that especially the younger guys gravitate to him and really take heed to what he’s saying when he speaks.”
After losing four seniors from last year’s linebacker group, finding another veteran player was high on the team’s priority list in the offseason, and the addition of Pili from BYU has been the perfect fit.
“It’s been valuable,” Jean-Mary said of Pili’s presence and experience. “We really only had one veteran guy coming back. We brought in a guy with a wealth of experience in Keenan Pili who has played at a high level, and a guy who is a team player … He’s been a perfect fit in the room, for the defense and for the whole team.”
The duo of Beasley and Pili will be leaned on heavily in 2023, not only for their production on the field, but also for their mentorship to the younger players in the room like sophomores Elijah Herring and Kalib Perry, as well as talented freshmen Arion Carter, Jalen Smith and Jeremiah Telander.
“He’s been in the game for a while and he’s been doing his thing,” Perry said when talking about Beasley’s maturation. “Even Keenan Pili has had a lot of years at BYU and he adds a new versatility. He’s more of a bigger linebacker and adds a big leadership role behind him. Him and Beasley keep pushing us.”
A full transcript of Jean-Mary’s post-practice media availability along with select player quotes can be found below.
On if Aaron Beasley played the Mike or Will linebacker position last year… “He was a combo guy for us. He actually played a couple of games at Will. That’s why he led us in snaps. He was always our combo that we could put in at Mike or Will. He had some games where I’m not sure if he started at Will, but he played a ton at Will for us last year.”
On if Beasley’s skillset fits the Will linebacker position the most… “I think it fits both. Early on last season, I thought he was playing at a high level at the Mike linebacker position before Juwan (Mitchell) came back last year, and then we slid him to where he could play either or. I think skillset and experience wise; it would be easy for him to go back and play Mike tomorrow if we asked him to.”
On if Keenan Pili is a traditional Mike linebacker… “When you say traditional Mike, I want to be careful. He’s not a throwback three yards in a cloud of dust that just runs into people. He’s a bigger guy, but he’s super athletic. We don’t mind putting him in space, blitzing him or putting him into coverage. I want to be careful about saying traditional because we like to consider both of our guys versatile enough to be outside and inside linebackers.”
On how he has seen Aaron Beasley’s leadership skills grow… “It’s a work in progress. Aaron is a soft-spoken guy. He’s one of those guys that always feels like he has to earn the respect from everybody before he’s going to step out and lead. We are asking him to come out of his shell a little bit. He’s done that in his own way. He’s never going to be the loudest guy in the room or be very boisterous, but you can see that especially the younger guys gravitate to him and really take heed to what he’s saying when he speaks.”
On how different the linebacker room looks than when he first arrived here at Tennessee… “Every coach, I think if you asked them what their number one goal is would say quality depth. When you don’t even have the bodies to go out there and compete, it’s hard. I say it all the time that the best coach in the world is competition. You’re going to get the most out of guys if they know that guy behind them is nipping at their heels and is able to play at a high level. With the depth that we’re building, we are going to be able to play multiple guys. We feel like we are going to get them to play at a high level. I think we are getting to the point where we can be a third, fourth or even fifth team deep at linebacker. That’s going to be a blessing. Obviously, you knock on wood because you don’t want any injuries to happen. The depth aspect is going to be great.”
On if he likes the dynamic of the young guys in the linebacker group… “I’m very happy with the young guys. They all are going to progress at different levels, but I think from Arion Carter, Jalen Smith, Jeremiah Telander, and I still put Kalib Perry, Elijah Herring and Ben Bolton in that same category, those are all guys whose best football is ahead of them. We are really happy with the athleticism and their attention to detail as football players.”
On if Arion Carter is still impressive or has moments where you realize he is still a freshman… “It depends on the day. There’s never going to be perfection. Youth always equals mistakes, and we just want to limit the amount. The thing with Arion is that he plays so hard, fast and is a great athlete so he’s able to overcome some of those mistakes that maybe some other people can’t. We are not going to spoon-feed him. We are going to keep force-feeding him and putting him in difficult situations so he learns from them and if he does it right, he can explain why he did it right. We feel confident that if he does it wrong, we are going to be able to correct it and make sure he does it right the next time. I think he’s right where he was, and I think he’s probably a little further ahead than where he was in the spring. Obviously, we are expecting big things from him the rest of this camp.”
On how beneficial it is to have Keenan Pili’s experience in the linebacker room… “It’s been valuable. We lost a bunch of guys. If you go off of seniors or guys who had their eligibility up last year, we really lost four guys last year. That’s big in the room. Even the guys who didn’t play a lot that had a presence in the room, they almost sounded like coaches. When you lose that, we really only had one veteran guy coming back. We brought in a guy with a wealth of experience in Keenan Pili who has played at a high level, and a guy who is a team player. I think when guys come out of the portal, that’s always the biggest question with them, is how they will mesh with the team. Our culture, and the way we are building it, is not for everybody. It’s not one where if you come in and have a selfish bone in your body or you’re a me guy, it doesn’t fit. He’s been a perfect fit in the room, for the defense and for the whole team.”
On what it means to him when Jalen Smith refers to him as a second father… “First, I would say I probably should get a tax break because I only got two kids, Brooke and Brittany, two girls. Secondly, it’s appreciative. I don’t take the position I have for granted. I know we are in a position where we have the chance to help shape their lives. He’s got two great parents. Got a chance to get to know them during the recruiting process. He’s got two unbelievable parents. I don’t take that for granted. I appreciate the statement, I told him that doesn’t mean he’s not going to get coached hard, might mean he’s going to get coached harder. At the end of the day, coaching is not just teaching, it’s not just instructing, it’s also caring about these kids and making sure that their futures are going to be set by the experience that they had with you.”
On what stood out about Jeremiah Telander and Jalen Smith and where they are… “Obviously, with what we do offensively, we have to be able to get aligned fast. I love it, because you have to be able to think on the run. I think that’s the part, the biggest wow factor for them coming out of high school. I thought the spring helped a lot. They’re getting better, but the processing has to happen a lot faster. Which is great for us, because if you have to process fast, it means you know what you’re doing. Obviously, with the physical part of the game, the speed of the game, it has to keep coming. There are still some times, if they’re a step late with their read, the ball has passed them. We have to get better there, but we’ve been happy with what they’re doing. They’ve all flashed. I’ve said I’ll put Arion (Carter) and obviously Kalib (Perry), Elijah (Herring), Ben Bolton), all of those guys, they’ve all flashed a bunch. I think, like I said, their best football is ahead of them.”
On how much they’ve worked on the preparation to create more turnovers or make game changing plays… “It was the lead bulletin point for Coach (Tim) Banks. I think everybody in our individual rooms, we talked about it. For us to take the next step, we have to go and take the ball from people. Our offense does a good job of not giving it to the opponent, we have to match them as far as the rate that we take it from people. With Coach (Josh) Heupel, I should mention him too, that was one of the main bullet points that he had in his first team meeting, was we have to do a better job. Whether it be intercepting the ball, caused fumbles, strip sacks on quarterbacks, fourth-down stops, whatever we can do to get the possessions back to our offense. We know how explosive our offense is, and if we get the ball to them at a high rate, our percentage of winning is going to go through the roof.”
On his decision to come to Tennessee a few years ago and what he has found out about Tennessee since he got here… “I feel like I’m about to write a book report. To answer the first part of that question, the thing that was attractive. As a kid that grew up in the northeast in the 80s and early 90s and moved down south in the mid-90s, obviously Tennessee program-wise was top tier, one of the best programs in the country. That stood out to me as a high school kid. Then getting to college, I didn’t play college football too far from here. I played at Appalachian State. There was a lot of Power-T’s in that area of North Carolina. Then getting into the coaching profession, I cut my teeth in the South and actually in this conference, and Tennessee was always a program that you admired from afar. When the opportunity came, obviously I was at a place with a lot of tradition and a really good program, but there was something in me that said that’s worth at least kicking the tires on and seeing what the opportunity would be. After talking to Coach Heupel, getting the chance to speak to Coach Banks, someone I knew and respected for a long time. Then, obviously with Coach Martinez and Coach Garner, guys that I’ve had to coach against for a long time. The respect factor was there. I knew what the situation was coming in, and it was blind faith. I really believed in the vision that Coach Heupel had when we spoke. Obviously, I had the chance to coach against him when he was at Central Florida. I saw the makings of what they were doing there, and I had a pretty good inkling that we were going to be successful here.
“The second part of the question, what I’ve found since I’ve been here, unbelievable place. Great university, Knoxville is an unbelievable city, great people. The passion for football is even greater than I thought it would be. Neyland Stadium, I said a couple of years ago, and I still think it’s the best football experience for a college football fan or player in the country.”
On how possible it is for Aaron Beasley to replicate the success that he had in the Orange Bowl… “I would say if you asked him that and he didn’t say that he thought he could play better, I would be disappointed. I think that’s the Aaron that we expect to see in every game. I think there were some plays that he left out there on the field that definitely could have been made. You’re talking to a guy that believes in him as much as anybody else in the building. I think the kid has a unique skillset and a high playmaking ability. I still tell people all the time that I think the best is yet to come from that kid.”
On what part of his game has improved… “Just becoming very detailed, to where if I have to tell the defensive line to watch the ball or the hard count, just recognizing the whole formation, looking to the back, looking to the field, just being very detailed on the field. Seeing everything before the ball snaps and finding little details with the linemen, wide receivers, the quarterback or the running backs.”
On how much more comfortable he feels compared to last season… “It feels good. I wouldn’t say I am comfortable, but I am getting used to it. It’s a good feeling to able to be a Mike and to be able to see everything. It’s great to be confident in what you are doing out there because I mean, it’s a lot of stuff going on and there’s a lot of stuff the linebackers have to do back there. It just gives you a good feeling and a good sense of pride to be back there and be able to control the whole defense.”
On if there has been a specific player that has impressed or excites him this season… “I wouldn’t say that there is one player. I would say there is one position group though. The defensive line just has a bunch of freaks on there. It’s crazy, they are freaks of nature. You got Caleb (Herring), James (Peace Jr.), Roman (Harrison), (Joshua Josephs), and Chandavian (Bradley) on there. They are just specimens out there. The whole defensive line is just so good at their craft, and they each just have their own style of play, so it’s just great to go out there and see them play.”
On what is different about him from this time last season… “I think just getting more comfortable with it and seeing things differently as a linebacker. You are going to approach more contact as a linebacker because you are right there by the linemen. Just seeing things, recognizing formations and knowing where to be at. As a defensive back in high school, you are sitting back and seeing everything, but when you are down and depending on the linemen, that can take away from a play. So, not taking myself out of a play and being efficient with what I’m doing.”
On how Aaron Beasley has mentored him this offseason and adding Keenan Pili to the room… “Beasley has always been a great leader. He’s a little bit more quiet and sits back, but he’s always looking out, looking on the field to see what you can do a little bit better. Even in the meeting room, he will point out little things with missed reads to see where you can get in better position. He’s been in the game for a while, and he’s been doing his thing. This past season, he had a really great season. He’s kind of got his years behind him, so he’s been a huge part. Even Keenan, he’s has had a lot of years at BYU. He came here, and he adds a new versatility. He’s more of a bigger linebacker and adds a big leadership role behind him. He’s been very helpful, always looking out for the younger guys. Even with Beasley, they’re communicating with each other and pushing us.”
On if he has taken any traits from being a defensive back into being a linebacker… “Whenever I see certain formations and seeing them as a broad perspective, but also just covering. I have kind of had a transition with covering guys in man defense with vertical hooks and stuff like that, so I think that was a big part of it. Being able to play man coverage has helped me a lot, and I am transitioning that to linebacker now.”
On what it’s been like getting to Tennessee and how he feels like his decision went down… “I’m pleased, most definitely. Just getting in the system, being around all the guys, just learning the culture and seeing how I fit as a whole. I love it here, and I’m really happy with my decision.”
On the different personalities of the coaching staff… “Start with Coach BJ (Brian Jean-Mary). Coach BJ is the same guy every day. A guy who comes to work, a guy who’s going to push you, a guy who wants the best for you every single day. Just knowing that makes me a better player. It makes me want to come in and work every day. Not only prove to myself but prove to coaches I am who I say I am. Coach BJ is just a great coach overall. Love him to death. Coach (Tim) Banks is a real chill guy. Sets the standard and he expects you to meet the standard. He’s not too big on mistakes, but once he coaches it up, he expects you to learn from it and move on from it. I really like that as him being a coach because it’s not that much time each practice. Even though we have a certain amount of practices, each practice is expensive reps that you have to capitalize on each day.”
On how much of a benefit it is to have a tight knit group in the linebacker room before the grind of the season starts… “Going through fall camp each and every day, really starting off in spring and then summer workouts as we build a good relationship. We all hang out together. Being able to get to know and a feel for everybody as I came in. It’s just helpful, because when you’re down, a brother is able to pick you up. You’re able to lean on a brother some days, and they are able to lean on you just because of the trust. That’s been great.”
Tennessee Sen. Brian Kelsey, 44 (Courtesy: Action News 5/WVLT)
Nashville, TN (WOKI) A former Tennessee State Senator from Germantown, a Memphis suburb, has been sentenced after violating campaign finance laws and defrauding the Federal Election Commission.
Forty-four year-old Brian Kelsey will face 21 months in prison and three years of supervised probation after admitting he conspired to and did secretly funnel money from several sources, including his own Tennessee State Senate campaign committee, to his federal campaign committee.
In a release Friday, Kelsey expressed regret over his actions saying he was “sorry for letting down [his] constituents and the public.”
In court filings, Kelsey said stress and time constraints led him to accept the plea deal agreement. Kelsey cites losing his lawyer license, the death of his father, the birth of twin sons and financial issues as the stress that led him to accept the plea agreement.
“The defendants attempted to hide from voters how Kelsey raised and spent campaign money,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The integrity of our elections is essential to democracy, and voters should know how candidates raise and spend campaign dollars. The Department will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to uncover and prosecute campaign finance schemes designed to evade disclosure, and to ensure that violations of these laws carry a high cost.”
“Brian Kelsey intentionally violated federal campaign finance laws and his oath as a state senator in order to deny Tennessee voters their right to make informed decisions about his candidacy for Congress,” said U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. “The court’s sentence today reflects the seriousness of his crimes and is a strong reminder of our commitment to root out public corruption and ensure the integrity of federal elections.”
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) is reporting results from a recent lab test confirm the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Culex mosquitoes in the Milligan area of East Knoxville.
The KCHD has scheduled spraying, weather permitting, for Tuesday, August 15th from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. in the Milligan area of East Knoxville to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of WNV spreading to humans.
Health officials are asking people living in the area to stay inside during spraying and are encouraging pet owners to keep their pets inside or in the backyard. Signs will also be posted in the affected area to keep people aware of spraying.
A map of the affected area, including the specific roads to be treated, can be found below:
Aug.-15-WNV-East-Knoxville-treatment-map (KCHD)
The KCHD anticipates spraying the following roads:
N Cherry St, Summit Ave, Turner St, Nichols Ave, Mundy St, Washington Ave, Jefferson Ave, N Harrison St, Rutherford Ave, Woodbine Ave, E Fifth Ave, N Hembree St, Milligan St, N Elmwood St, N Castle St, N Mary St, Manor Dr, N Beaman St, Ace Miller Way, Crawford Ave, Lakeside St, Kirkwood St, Hampton Ave, and Knoxville Zoo Dr.
Brew at the Zoo will be at Zoo Knoxville later this month.
The beer sampling festival will take place between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on August 25th with a Jurassic-era theme.
Brew at the Zoo will feature over 75 unique beers, ciders and spirits to enjoy and will also feature animal encounters, local food trucks and entertainment.
The festival will also be one of the last chances to experience the “Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” a special limited-time event running through Labor Day that features 22 lifelike animatronic dinosaurs throughout the zoo.
General admission tickets are $75 each and include a commemorative tasting glass along with unlimited beer, cider and spirits samples. A
limited number of “Early Bird” tickets are available for purchase at $65 each.
To purchase tickets please go to brew zoo knox dot com.
A captain with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office retires following an investigation for sexual harassment.
Captain Michael Evans was at a local restaurant with another officer in June and an employee claimed he acted inappropriately toward her. That employee told investigators that she had multiple similar encounters with Evans. She said she thought he accidentally touched her until he talked to her about it later.
A report from the Office of Professional Standards Investigators believe three of the four allegations were proved to be true. They said he violated the following general order violations as a KCSO employee: general responsibilities, personal conduct and conduct toward the public.
The victim did not file official charges against him.
Bald River Falls Bridge Project Rendering (Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service – Cherokee National Forest)
Monroe County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: U.S. Forest Service officials say a planned closure of the Bald River Falls Bridge to repair the decades-old structure and add an observation deck has been pushed back until September 11. The closure was supposed to begin August 21, but weather delays have hampered the project from getting underway.
Once the bridge is closed, traffic will be redirected along Turkey Creek Shortcut (NFSR 35), Cherohala Skyway and North River Road (NRSR 217). Please consult the map (provided below) for a visual of the temporary traffic pattern.
The project should be done by Fall 2024.
ORIGINAL STORY: Outdoor enthusiasts and sightseers have just a couple of weeks to enjoy Bald River Falls in Monroe County as the bridge into the area is set to close for construction.
U.S. Forest Service officials Monday announced the bridge will close on August 21st for repair and for the installation of an observation deck for pedestrians.
The bridge, which was constructed in 1933, is in need of repair after decades of deterioration. Officials say the project aims to increase stability and safety.
Traffic will be redirected along Turkey Creek Shortcut (NFSR 35), Cherohala Skyway and North River Road (NRSR 217).
Bald River Falls Bridge to close for repair, new observation deck (Courtesy: USDA)
Frazier’s Carpet One on Western Avenue is scene of single-vehicle accident Thursday (WOKI)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Emergency personnel were called to the scene of a single-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon in front of Frazier’s Carpet One in Northwest Knoxville.
According to WOKI producers who were on-site for a remote broadcast, the accident occurred just after 5:00 p.m. They reported that a blue crossover SUV traveling east on Western Avenue toward Interstate 640 crossed the center line onto the grass in front of the store subsequently slamming into a parked car head-on.
First responders work the scene of a single-vehicle crash in the parking lot of Frazier’s Carpet One Thursday (WOKI)
The impact sent both vehicles careening through the parking lot coming to rest on the curb near the intersection of Western Avenue and Hinton Road.
The driver of the SUV was being treated at the scene by emergency personnel.
