Josh Ward’s Analysis: Tennessee made Conyer a high priority early in the recruiting process. He has good length at the corner position and can run. He should compete for playing time right away.
Bio: A dynamic athlete and two-way star in high school who is projected to play defensive back at Tennessee … Helped lead South Warren High School to the Kentucky state playoffs every season he was there, including a 14-1 season that resulted in a Class 5A state championship as junior in 2021 … Rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals and a high-end three-star prospect by all other major recruiting services … Regarded as a consensus top 10 player in the state of Kentucky by all recruiting services and the top-ranked player in the Bluegrass State by Rivals … The No. 53 ranked cornerback in the country according to the 247Sports Composite rankings … Tabbed a 2021 Kentucky High School Athletic Association Class 5A All-State honorable mention as a junior … Named a 2022 All-SKY Conference Large Division first-team selection at defensive back … Caught 18 passes for 224 yards and four total touchdowns as a junior in 2021 while splitting time between wide receiver and cornerback … Was also a decorated sprinter on South Warren’s track team, posting the second-fasted 100-meter dash time in school history (10.92) as a senior in 2022 … Committed to the Vols in July 2022 … Coached by Brandon Smith … Arrived on Rocky Top in December and is participating in bowl practices … Twitter handle is @ConyerC2 … Instagram handle is @iamkidc2
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Weathersby has good length (34-inch arms, per On3) and room for growth as he projects as an interior defensive lineman. He offers big upside as he’s able to add weight and learn proper technique from defensive line coach Rodney Garner.
Bio: Long and physical defensive lineman with impressive athleticism and a big frame … Helped lead New Manchester High School to consecutive Georgia Class 5A state playoff appearances during his sophomore and junior seasons, including a Region 6-5A title in 2020 … Is rated a four-star prospect by On3 and the 247Sports Composite rankings … Ranked as the No. 128 overall player in the country, the No. 16 rated defensive lineman and the No. 11 player in the state of Georgia by On3 … Named a 2022 Region 5-6A first-team selection as a senior … Was honored as the 2021 Region 6-5A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior … Tabbed a 2021 Georgia Class 5A All-State honorable mention selection … Named a 2020 Region 6-5A honorable mention selection as a sophomore … Finished his senior season with 61 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks … Totaled 67 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles for the Jaguars in 2021 despite playing in just seven games … Committed to the Vols in July 2022 after receiving 22 Division I offers, including 13 from Power Five programs … Coached by Cedric Jackson … Twitter handle is @tw29_ … Instagram handle is @flytye._
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Leacock brings size to Tennessee’s wide receiver position while possessing legit speed as a successful track athlete. He should be a good down-field weapon in the Vols’ offense.
Bio: A large-framed wideout with incredible athleticism that creates an advantage with his size and speed … Helped the Millbrook High School to a 13-2 record and its first regional final and state semifinal appearance in school history… Helped lead the Wildcats to top-10 finishes in the state division rankings during both his junior and senior years … Rated a consensus four-star prospect by all major recruiting services … Tabbed the No. 3 player in North Carolina by the 247Sports Composite rankings and the On3 Consensus rankings … Graded by On3 as the No. 10 wide receiver in the class and the No. 68 player in the nation … Dominated in his senior season for Millbrook High, recording a school-record 1,703 receiving yards along with 23 receiving touchdowns on 82 catches … Tallied 33 career receiving touchdowns in high school after posting 735 yards and 10 scores as a junior … Also spent time in the Wildcat backfield as a junior, running the ball 21 times for 216 yards and three touchdowns … Averaged an impressive 20.2 yards per reception and 81.4 receiving yards per game during his outstanding prep career … Comes from an athletic family where both parents ran track in college … His brother, Dillon, is currently on the track & field team at Houston … Helped lead Millbrook to a team track & field state championship in 2021 … Chose Tennessee over 24 other Division I offers, including 16 from Power Five programs … Committed to the Vols in July 2022 … Coached by Jimmy Vereen and Hunter Jenks … Arrived on Rocky Top in December and is participating in bowl practices … Twitter handle is @Nathan_Leacock … Instagram handle is @nathan_leacock
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Luttrell was the first commitment for Tennessee’s 2023 class (actually committing before his junior season) and has stayed loyal to the Vols ever since. He projects to play safety but could be moved around in the defensive backfield.
Bio: Speedy and athletic defensive back from Gainesville, Georgia, located an hour northeast of Atlanta … Helped lead Colquitt County to a 7A state semifinal finish in 2022 after an undefeated regular season … Rated as a three-start prospect by all major recruiting services … The No. 62 rated player in the state of Georgia by Rivals … Named the All-Region 1-7A Utility Player of the Year by the region’s coaches after averaging 32.9 yards per return on kickoffs and 8.9 yards per return on punts … Named one of the top multi-position players in the state of Georgia for the 2022 season by AJC.com … Incredibly versatile throughout high school, logging 850 yards receiving, 495 yards rushing and 247 yards passing, while amassing 1,061 kickoff return yards and 280 punt return yards … On the defensive side of the ball, had 211 tackles, including 103 his senior year, five interceptions and eight pass breakups … Began his high school career at Johnson as a quarterback before transferring to Hebron Christian and ultimately finishing his prep career at Colquitt County … Chose Tennessee over eight other Division I offers, including six from Power Five programs … Committed to the Vols in August 2021 … Coached by Sean Calhoun … Also played soccer where he was an all-region performer … Arrived on Rocky Top in December and is participating in bowl practices … Twitter handle is @JackLuttrell … Instagram handle is @jackluttrell
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Hobbs is a major get for Tennessee. The Vols need elite players on the interior of the defensive line, and Hobbs has that kind of potential. Tennessee beat out top rivals Alabama and Georgia to land Hobbs.
Bio: Highly-touted defensive lineman out of Jay M. Robinson High School in Concord, North Carolina … Quick-twitched, high-level athlete with an elite motor and excellent closing speed … Rated a five-star prospect and the No. 20 player in the country by On3 and 247Sports … The No. 1 prospect from the state of North Carolina according to 247Sports and Rivals … Tabbed the No. 3 defensive lineman in the country by On3 and 247Sports … A four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and the 247Sports Composite rankings … Selected to participate in the 2023 All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio in January 2023 … Plays significant snaps on offense and defense for his high school, seeing time on the defensive line and at tight end … Logged 22 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and three sacks over the course of his senior season … Hauled in 13 catches for 283 yards and five touchdowns this past fall and finished the year with 10 total touchdowns (five rushing, five receiving) … Totaled 39 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, eight sacks and one forced fumble his junior season, picking up Class 2A All-State honors … Also stars on the basketball court for Robinson High, leading the Bulldogs to a 2021 Class 2A state championship while averaging 14.7 points per game … Committed to the Vols in November 2022 … Chose Tennessee over offers from 25 other Division I schools, including six SEC schools … Coached by Darius Robinson … Will arrive on Rocky Top in January and go through spring practices … Twitter handle is @DaevinH … Instagram handle is @daevinhobbs
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Herring was a must-get for Tennessee’s staff with his pass rushing ability and presence inside the state. Herring’s early commitment to Tennessee showed his interest in helping return the in-state school to elite status in college football.
Bio: Athletic edge rusher with a quick first step and remarkable burst who starred for Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro … Also possesses the ability to drop back in coverage and can play sideline-to-sideline … A consensus four-star prospect by all major recruiting services and the No. 1 player from the state of Tennessee according to On3, 247Sports and the 247Sports Composite rankings … A top-15 edge rusher in the country by all major recruiting outlets, rated as high as No. 5 by Rivals … The No. 75 player in the nation according to both the On3 Consensus and 247Sports Composite industry-generated rankings … Selected to participate in the 2023 All-American Bowl and Polynesian Bowl all-star games … Over the past three seasons for Riverdale High School, accumulated 200 total tackles, 56 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, four pass breakups and three interceptions … Named the 6A Region 4 Defensive MVP his senior season after racking up 79 tackles and 18 TFLs … Recognized on the Tennessee Football Coaches Association 6A All-State team after a monster junior season, totaling 66 tackles, 24 TFLs, seven sacks and two interceptions … Originally hails from Newnan, Georgia … Reunites with his brother, Elijah Herring, who just finished his freshman season as a linebacker for the Vols … Chose Tennessee over 35 other Division I offers, including nine SEC programs … Committed to the Vols in April 2022 … Coached by Will Kriesky … Arrived on Rocky Top in December and is participating in bowl practices … Twitter handle is @CalebHerring19 … Instagram handle is @calebherrring
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Continuing to build up to next Friday’s clash with Clemson, bowl practice continued for the sixth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers Tuesday morning at Haslam Field.
The Vols certainly have a lot left to prove and a lot to play for. Every game is an opportunity to get better and playing on such a big stage in a historic game and venue, it means something to the members of the team, to the community of Knoxville and to Vol Nation who has stood by their side through every snap along the journey.
Redshirt-sophomore defensive lineman Bryson Eason commended the team for the commitment and intensity the Vols are showing in getting geared up for the Tigers when he took the podium after practice Tuesday.
“The way we prepare and how we go about the practice to prepare to play this game,” Eason said on the goals of bowl practice. “I feel like everybody is dialed in and focusing and we’re ready to have a big game and show the world what it is. We are blessed to be in this opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six bowl. I feel like a lot of the guys are excited and ready.”
The game is a sign of growth for the team. A sign of ascension. That feeling is felt and has created a drive to perform at the highest level for the players.
“It just says that we’re moving in the right direction moving forward for the years to come and the guys that coming in behind us,” Eason said on the opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six bowl. “Just trying to strive and move forward and be one of the best teams in the country moving forward. Just blessed to be there, like I said.”
That focus and intensity to practice is also something that prepares the team for more than just the one game, but the years ahead. The NCAA allows teams who are invited to participate in a bowl game added practices that are not afforded to those who don’t qualify for postseason play. This gives not only the major contributors on the team time to refine their skills, but the practices are a chance for young players to show their talent and get reps on the field that can pay off down the road as they have a furthered level of coaching.
Tamarion McDonald has seen that pay off big time for the Big Orange.
“The time we have in between our last game of the season that leads up to the bowl game, they say treat it like spring or like fall camp,” McDonald said at the podium Tuesday. “Get better at all the things we didn’t do so well that year. Just touching up on everything.”
“This time is huge, there’s no school so it’s all football,” McDonald continued. “You are just locked in strictly on football. After practice, you don’t have to rush and get to class. There is just a lot of time to work on whatever you really need to work on.”
The Vols return to the practice field tomorrow morning to continue their preparations for No. 7 Clemson as well as build on their individual growth in the added practice sessions. For full comments from Eason, McDonald, defensive coordinator Tim Banks and safety Wesley Walker see the transcripts below.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Dec. 20, 2022
On Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik… “Just like most of their team, he’s really talented—strong arm, strong release. He’s played some reps. Obviously not the lion’s share the other kid (DJ Uiagalelei) did outside of the North Carolina game. He’s an athlete. We went back and watched his high school film. He’s a tremendous athlete, strong arm. He’s talented. I can see why he’s there and see why those guys are so high on him. We’ll have our hands full, but we’ve obviously played a ton of talented quarterbacks in this league, and he’s just the next guy up.”
On if there is a schematic difference with Cade Klubnik starting at quarterback for Clemson… “From that perspective, the sample size is small. When he was in there, whether it was the North Carolina game or some of the other games he got in late, it’s very similar particularly in the throw game and what they’ve asked him to do. He’s connected on a bunch of deep balls. They will run him. You just don’t know, but I think he’s capable of doing the same thing that (Uiagalelei) did. It’s just a matter of if they decide to use him that way.”
On Clemson running back Will Shipley… “I think he’s a really good player. He’s obviously young. Everyone that we’ve talked to that’s faced those guys already, they say that he’s better than advertised. You get in the game, he’s tough to tackle, has good vision, good balance and body control. Then you see it. He’s broke off a bunch of big runs against just about everybody he’s played. He’s definitely got our attention. We understand for us to be successful, we’ll have to do a really good job trying to contain him.”
On Will Shipley’s pass catching abilities… “He’s got really good hands. He’s a good athlete. Sometimes with the running backs, particularly the young guys, they’re kind of a one trick pony. They can run the ball but not very good in protection or not very good on the perimeter when they’re asked to catch the ball. He does both extremely well. He’s shown that he’s a tough guy that will block you on some pressures, and he’s obviously shown the ability to catch the ball on the perimeter and make guys miss. He’s definitely a really good athlete, and once again, you realize why he’s there.”
On his evaluation of the overall defensive performance of the team during the regular season… “It’s hard to say exactly what it is. We kind of live from game to game. We obviously finished on a high note. We probably played some of the best football we played in the last game (at Vanderbilt). We understand there’s always work to be done. I’m proud of the guys, just the way they’ve competed with all the moving parts we’ve had on the back end. Just the way those guys constantly came in with a next-man-up mentality. Hopefully we can finish this season on a good note. There’s definitely some work to be done, but we’ll address that at the end of the season.”
On the development of younger player on the defense, such as Elijah Herring and Kalib Perry… “I think those guys have come miles. One of the things we are very conscious of is trying to get guys opportunities, particularly on special teams. I think if you talked to Coach Ekeler, he would say those guys were a part of our core on special teams and did a tremendous job, which breeds confidence. I think they’re close, I really do. If you asked me this six or seven weeks ago, I wouldn’t have been able to say that. I like the direction they’re headed in. Both are tremendous athletes. Both guys want to be great, and they’re working at a pace that’s going to put them in line to be able to contribute, and contribute at a high level.”
On influence bowl practices have in evaluating players… “I think every opportunity is evaluated, and every opportunity is a chance to get better. Obviously, having a chance to go through bowl prep gives you a chance to invest and build some of that compound interest. I don’t know necessarily if it would change our minds, but it could reinforce that this kid is headed in the right direction based on the number of snaps that he’s gotten and how much better he’s gotten. Football is no different than life. The more you do some things, the better you get at it or the worse you get at it. If you practice the right way and you do things the right way, you’ll typically like the results. We have a lot of young guys on our defense that are really working hard and putting themselves in a position to be able to contribute. I think that’s a good thing to be happy about for the University of Tennessee.”
On the health of the defense… “I think as healthy as you can be at this time of the year. We’ve really been conscious to try to, at some positions, play as many guys as we can, particularly up front. I think that has bode well for us. We’ve been able to, for the most part, get those guys through. On the back end, just kind of out of necessity because of what transpired over the course of the year, we’ve played a ton of guys. I think guys are starting to get a little bit healthier. I think if you polled the country, this is a tough sport played by tough people. You have to find a way to fight through it to give yourself a chance to finish the season, and we’re no different.”
On Jeremy Banks being considered the emotional leader of the defense… “Jeremy (Banks) is obviously a talented player. I don’t think I could stand here and say that one guy is the difference between winning and losing. I will tell you, obviously he’s done a lot of good things for this university in terms of his play on the field, and we love it when he’s out there. As I’ve said since the beginning, it’s a next-man-up mentality, and the standard is the standard. We expect to be successful regardless of who’s in the game.”
On what Jourdan Thomas has shown on the defensive side of the ball… “Jourdan (Thomas) is a kid who’s very focused and driven. He’s a guy that understands how important practice is, and you see it in his play. He had a tremendous season in terms of his play on special teams. Like I said, that just breeds confidence. Is he exactly ready to go right this second? No, but I love where he is. I love the direction that he’s headed. I think he’ll be a guy that you guys are going to be happy to see this time next year, based on his body of work to this point.”
On if he enjoys having the long break between games… “Ask me that after the game. That’s probably a better answer. You just want to play football when you can. I’ve played in a ton of bowl games; the right time is obviously when you win it. We obviously are working our tails off to put ourselves in the best position to win it. Having time to heal sometimes is a plus. For us, I would say for this season and this particular team, I’m glad we have a chance to try and heal up some guys, get some guys a chance to get fresh and give us the opportunity to get ready for a really talented Clemson team.”
On how bowl practices influence next season… “The time we have in between our last game our season that leads up to the bowl game, they say treat it like spring or like fall camp. Get better at all the things we didn’t do so well that year. Just touching up on everything.”
On the advantages on bowl practices… “This time is huge, there’s no school so it’s all football. You are just locked in strictly on football. After practice, you don’t have to rush and get to class. There is just a lot of time to work on whatever you really need to work on.”
On how defense has improved this season… “I say we improved in knowing situations a lot. Just knowing where the sticks are at, where the go-to guys are on the (other) team, we did a better job at that.”
On if long break before bowl is helpful for the team… “Kind of both. You want a little physical break of course but you still want to get better, that’s how we looked at it. It’s pretty much like spring practice, it’s a long time. We look at it as those 15 practices we have in the spring, so we treat it as such. Every day you write down what you want to get better at and focus on that for that day.”
On if there is commitment from team headed into the Orange Bowl… “Yes, I do. The way we prepare and how we go about the practice to prepare to play this game. I feel like everybody is dialed in and focusing and we’re ready to have a big game and show the world what it is. We are blessed to be in this opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six bowl. I feel like a lot of the guys are excited and ready.”
On what being in a New Year’s Six bowl says about the program… “It just says that we’re moving in the right direction moving forward for the years to come and the guys that coming in behind us. Just trying to strive and move forward and be one of the best teams in the country moving forward. Just blessed to be there, like I said.”
On how much he’s grown in the past year and how much more he can grow… “I just want to keep my mobility, get a lot stronger. Really just lock into the small little details that can take my game to the next level, like I said with my footwork and my hands. Those are two things that I’m really trying to dial in and just trying to be a baller and have that mindset that nobody can mess with me, nobody can mess with our unit, our d-line unit, as well. Just strive to get better. There is always room for improvement, whether you guys feel like I’m the best of if I’m at the bottom. I just want to get better in every aspect of this game, mentally as well.”
On the team’s preparation so far for the bowl game… “I feel like we took some good time to rest and get our bodies back right while still getting some work in while we rest. I feel like we are wrapping it up at the perfect time. I like the schedule we’re doing. We’re just diving into film really getting as much film as we can on them and getting as much knowledge on their scheme as we can while we get ready to go out there and compete.”
On Clemson… “They’re a really disciplined and savvy team. I have a good idea on the way they run their plays. They have ideas that they have on offense. I’m just going to go back and watch our old games when I was at Georgia Tech and remember what was going through my head as I was playing in the game. I would say that I have a good feel for what they’re going to do and what they’re going to try and do.”
On why he chose Tennessee… “You’re coming to play in the SEC, you’re coming to play against the best of the best. Your dreams and aspirations to play in the next level, this is the level right before the next level. That’s another reason why I wanted to come here. The logo you play for, you have the best fanbase in the nation. Also, the access to the resources we have like the facilities, trainers and nutrition that’s put here for you to be successful.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Continuing to build up to next Friday’s clash with Clemson, bowl practice continued for the sixth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers Tuesday morning at Haslam Field.
The Vols certainly have a lot left to prove and a lot to play for. Every game is an opportunity to get better and playing on such a big stage in a historic game and venue, it means something to the members of the team, to the community of Knoxville and to Vol Nation who has stood by their side through every snap along the journey.
Redshirt-sophomore defensive lineman Bryson Eason commended the team for the commitment and intensity the Vols are showing in getting geared up for the Tigers when he took the podium after practice Tuesday.
“The way we prepare and how we go about the practice to prepare to play this game,” Eason said on the goals of bowl practice. “I feel like everybody is dialed in and focusing and we’re ready to have a big game and show the world what it is. We are blessed to be in this opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six bowl. I feel like a lot of the guys are excited and ready.”
The game is a sign of growth for the team. A sign of ascension. That feeling is felt and has created a drive to perform at the highest level for the players.
“It just says that we’re moving in the right direction moving forward for the years to come and the guys that coming in behind us,” Eason said on the opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six bowl. “Just trying to strive and move forward and be one of the best teams in the country moving forward. Just blessed to be there, like I said.”
That focus and intensity to practice is also something that prepares the team for more than just the one game, but the years ahead. The NCAA allows teams who are invited to participate in a bowl game added practices that are not afforded to those who don’t qualify for postseason play. This gives not only the major contributors on the team time to refine their skills, but the practices are a chance for young players to show their talent and get reps on the field that can pay off down the road as they have a furthered level of coaching.
Tamarion McDonald has seen that pay off big time for the Big Orange.
“The time we have in between our last game of the season that leads up to the bowl game, they say treat it like spring or like fall camp,” McDonald said at the podium Tuesday. “Get better at all the things we didn’t do so well that year. Just touching up on everything.”
“This time is huge, there’s no school so it’s all football,” McDonald continued. “You are just locked in strictly on football. After practice, you don’t have to rush and get to class. There is just a lot of time to work on whatever you really need to work on.”
The Vols return to the practice field tomorrow morning to continue their preparations for No. 7 Clemson as well as build on their individual growth in the added practice sessions. For full comments from Eason, McDonald, defensive coordinator Tim Banks and safety Wesley Walker see the transcripts below.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Dec. 20, 2022
On Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik… “Just like most of their team, he’s really talented—strong arm, strong release. He’s played some reps. Obviously not the lion’s share the other kid (DJ Uiagalelei) did outside of the North Carolina game. He’s an athlete. We went back and watched his high school film. He’s a tremendous athlete, strong arm. He’s talented. I can see why he’s there and see why those guys are so high on him. We’ll have our hands full, but we’ve obviously played a ton of talented quarterbacks in this league, and he’s just the next guy up.”
On if there is a schematic difference with Cade Klubnik starting at quarterback for Clemson… “From that perspective, the sample size is small. When he was in there, whether it was the North Carolina game or some of the other games he got in late, it’s very similar particularly in the throw game and what they’ve asked him to do. He’s connected on a bunch of deep balls. They will run him. You just don’t know, but I think he’s capable of doing the same thing that (Uiagalelei) did. It’s just a matter of if they decide to use him that way.”
On Clemson running back Will Shipley… “I think he’s a really good player. He’s obviously young. Everyone that we’ve talked to that’s faced those guys already, they say that he’s better than advertised. You get in the game, he’s tough to tackle, has good vision, good balance and body control. Then you see it. He’s broke off a bunch of big runs against just about everybody he’s played. He’s definitely got our attention. We understand for us to be successful, we’ll have to do a really good job trying to contain him.”
On Will Shipley’s pass catching abilities… “He’s got really good hands. He’s a good athlete. Sometimes with the running backs, particularly the young guys, they’re kind of a one trick pony. They can run the ball but not very good in protection or not very good on the perimeter when they’re asked to catch the ball. He does both extremely well. He’s shown that he’s a tough guy that will block you on some pressures, and he’s obviously shown the ability to catch the ball on the perimeter and make guys miss. He’s definitely a really good athlete, and once again, you realize why he’s there.”
On his evaluation of the overall defensive performance of the team during the regular season… “It’s hard to say exactly what it is. We kind of live from game to game. We obviously finished on a high note. We probably played some of the best football we played in the last game (at Vanderbilt). We understand there’s always work to be done. I’m proud of the guys, just the way they’ve competed with all the moving parts we’ve had on the back end. Just the way those guys constantly came in with a next-man-up mentality. Hopefully we can finish this season on a good note. There’s definitely some work to be done, but we’ll address that at the end of the season.”
On the development of younger player on the defense, such as Elijah Herring and Kalib Perry… “I think those guys have come miles. One of the things we are very conscious of is trying to get guys opportunities, particularly on special teams. I think if you talked to Coach Ekeler, he would say those guys were a part of our core on special teams and did a tremendous job, which breeds confidence. I think they’re close, I really do. If you asked me this six or seven weeks ago, I wouldn’t have been able to say that. I like the direction they’re headed in. Both are tremendous athletes. Both guys want to be great, and they’re working at a pace that’s going to put them in line to be able to contribute, and contribute at a high level.”
On influence bowl practices have in evaluating players… “I think every opportunity is evaluated, and every opportunity is a chance to get better. Obviously, having a chance to go through bowl prep gives you a chance to invest and build some of that compound interest. I don’t know necessarily if it would change our minds, but it could reinforce that this kid is headed in the right direction based on the number of snaps that he’s gotten and how much better he’s gotten. Football is no different than life. The more you do some things, the better you get at it or the worse you get at it. If you practice the right way and you do things the right way, you’ll typically like the results. We have a lot of young guys on our defense that are really working hard and putting themselves in a position to be able to contribute. I think that’s a good thing to be happy about for the University of Tennessee.”
On the health of the defense… “I think as healthy as you can be at this time of the year. We’ve really been conscious to try to, at some positions, play as many guys as we can, particularly up front. I think that has bode well for us. We’ve been able to, for the most part, get those guys through. On the back end, just kind of out of necessity because of what transpired over the course of the year, we’ve played a ton of guys. I think guys are starting to get a little bit healthier. I think if you polled the country, this is a tough sport played by tough people. You have to find a way to fight through it to give yourself a chance to finish the season, and we’re no different.”
On Jeremy Banks being considered the emotional leader of the defense… “Jeremy (Banks) is obviously a talented player. I don’t think I could stand here and say that one guy is the difference between winning and losing. I will tell you, obviously he’s done a lot of good things for this university in terms of his play on the field, and we love it when he’s out there. As I’ve said since the beginning, it’s a next-man-up mentality, and the standard is the standard. We expect to be successful regardless of who’s in the game.”
On what Jourdan Thomas has shown on the defensive side of the ball… “Jourdan (Thomas) is a kid who’s very focused and driven. He’s a guy that understands how important practice is, and you see it in his play. He had a tremendous season in terms of his play on special teams. Like I said, that just breeds confidence. Is he exactly ready to go right this second? No, but I love where he is. I love the direction that he’s headed. I think he’ll be a guy that you guys are going to be happy to see this time next year, based on his body of work to this point.”
On if he enjoys having the long break between games… “Ask me that after the game. That’s probably a better answer. You just want to play football when you can. I’ve played in a ton of bowl games; the right time is obviously when you win it. We obviously are working our tails off to put ourselves in the best position to win it. Having time to heal sometimes is a plus. For us, I would say for this season and this particular team, I’m glad we have a chance to try and heal up some guys, get some guys a chance to get fresh and give us the opportunity to get ready for a really talented Clemson team.”
On how bowl practices influence next season… “The time we have in between our last game our season that leads up to the bowl game, they say treat it like spring or like fall camp. Get better at all the things we didn’t do so well that year. Just touching up on everything.”
On the advantages on bowl practices… “This time is huge, there’s no school so it’s all football. You are just locked in strictly on football. After practice, you don’t have to rush and get to class. There is just a lot of time to work on whatever you really need to work on.”
On how defense has improved this season… “I say we improved in knowing situations a lot. Just knowing where the sticks are at, where the go-to guys are on the (other) team, we did a better job at that.”
On if long break before bowl is helpful for the team… “Kind of both. You want a little physical break of course but you still want to get better, that’s how we looked at it. It’s pretty much like spring practice, it’s a long time. We look at it as those 15 practices we have in the spring, so we treat it as such. Every day you write down what you want to get better at and focus on that for that day.”
On if there is commitment from team headed into the Orange Bowl… “Yes, I do. The way we prepare and how we go about the practice to prepare to play this game. I feel like everybody is dialed in and focusing and we’re ready to have a big game and show the world what it is. We are blessed to be in this opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six bowl. I feel like a lot of the guys are excited and ready.”
On what being in a New Year’s Six bowl says about the program… “It just says that we’re moving in the right direction moving forward for the years to come and the guys that coming in behind us. Just trying to strive and move forward and be one of the best teams in the country moving forward. Just blessed to be there, like I said.”
On how much he’s grown in the past year and how much more he can grow… “I just want to keep my mobility, get a lot stronger. Really just lock into the small little details that can take my game to the next level, like I said with my footwork and my hands. Those are two things that I’m really trying to dial in and just trying to be a baller and have that mindset that nobody can mess with me, nobody can mess with our unit, our d-line unit, as well. Just strive to get better. There is always room for improvement, whether you guys feel like I’m the best of if I’m at the bottom. I just want to get better in every aspect of this game, mentally as well.”
On the team’s preparation so far for the bowl game… “I feel like we took some good time to rest and get our bodies back right while still getting some work in while we rest. I feel like we are wrapping it up at the perfect time. I like the schedule we’re doing. We’re just diving into film really getting as much film as we can on them and getting as much knowledge on their scheme as we can while we get ready to go out there and compete.”
On Clemson… “They’re a really disciplined and savvy team. I have a good idea on the way they run their plays. They have ideas that they have on offense. I’m just going to go back and watch our old games when I was at Georgia Tech and remember what was going through my head as I was playing in the game. I would say that I have a good feel for what they’re going to do and what they’re going to try and do.”
On why he chose Tennessee… “You’re coming to play in the SEC, you’re coming to play against the best of the best. Your dreams and aspirations to play in the next level, this is the level right before the next level. That’s another reason why I wanted to come here. The logo you play for, you have the best fanbase in the nation. Also, the access to the resources we have like the facilities, trainers and nutrition that’s put here for you to be successful.”
AUSTIN, Texas — College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced Tuesday afternoon that Tennessee football senior Paxton Brooks was named to the organization’s Academic All-America second team.
After collecting first team Academic All-America accolades from CoSIDA in 2021, Brooks becomes the second Volunteer in program history to garner multiple Academic All-America selections. Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning accomplished the feat as a junior and senior in 1996 and 1997.
The punter from Lexington, South Carolina, is a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, a four-time Academic All-District first team recipient and was tabbed by the National Football Foundation as a semifinalist for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy.
A veteran specialist and 2022 Ray Guy Award preseason watch list member, Brooks has played in all 12 games this season as Tennessee’s starting punter, holder and kickoff specialist. He has attempted 30 punts for 1,169 yards (39.0 average) with 10 pinned inside the 20-yard line and two boots of 50-plus yards, including a season-long 54-yarder against Missouri in his final game at Neyland Stadium. On kickoffs, Brooks has logged a career-high 88 attempts for 5,198 yards (59.1 average) with 27 touchbacks.
The fifth-year senior owns the school record with 60 career games played since 2018. Brooks completed his bachelor’s degree in May 2021 with a 3.91 grade-point average and currently holds a 3.83 GPA in grad school, working toward his master’s in kinesiology with a biomechanics concentration.
PR Dee Williams All-America Honorable Mention – Phil Steele All-SEC Second Team – Phil Steele OL Darnell Wright All-America Third Team – Phil Steele All-SEC First Team – AP, Coaches, USA Today, Phil Steele
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After some much needed and deserved time off, preparations for the Capital One Orange Bowl are officially underway for No. 6 Tennessee after hitting the practice field on Friday and Saturday morning this week.
Head coach Josh Heupel was excited to be back on the practice field with the team and said during his Saturday press conference that the time away was helpful for the team’s veterans to recharge and get healthy while also getting the younger players some opportunities to further their development.
“The early part of bowl prep has been about getting our young guys a ton of reps and helping them grow as a football player as our older guys had a little bit of time to kind of heal up from the season,” Heupel said after Saturday’s practice at Haslam Field.
Playing in their first Orange Bowl since 1997, the Vols know they have a great opportunity to add an exclamation point to a memorable season with a win over ACC champion No. 7 Clemson, who has been one of college football’s premier programs during the playoff era.
“Clemson, obviously a great football team and they have been doing it at a really high level for a long time,” Heupel said. “Defensively, one of the top teams in the country, extremely aggressive in what they do.
“They got great personnel offensively. (They have) a new quarterback that played in a dynamic way in their conference championship game, but great skill players out on the perimeter as well and a huge test, but a great opportunity for our football program at the end of the month. I’m excited about that.”
The Vols and Tigers will square off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Friday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Limited tickets remain for the game and fans are encouraged to visit AllVols.com to purchase tickets.
The full transcript of Heupel’s post-practice press conference can be found below.
Opening Statement… “First opportunity for me to be in front of you since a couple of tragic things have happened. First the UCF family, all the former players, everybody connected to that program, lost a great teammate and a great person, somebody that absolutely loved life in Jake Hescock. My heart goes out to his entire family and all those that know him. Another young man that is gone way too early. Also, college football lost an iconic figure in Mike Leach. Someone that changed the way people thought about the game. One of the most unique individuals that I’ve come into contact with, someone that had a huge impact on my career, how we think about the game, how we think about offensive football, but also someone that gave me a shot in college football. So grateful to him for everything he has really helped me accomplished. My heart, thoughts and prayers are with Sharon and their entire family as they go through the grieving process.
“Obviously, you guys saw today we also flipped the page and started some of our bowl prep. We got some good work in with our young guys in particular, up until this point our vets have started working back into things over the last three, four days. As we get through this week, we will kind of turn the page and head towards Clemson in our preparation. Clemson, obviously a great football team and they have been doing it at a really high level for a long time. Defensively, one of the top teams in the country, extremely aggressive in what they do. They got great personnel offensively. (They have) a new quarterback that played in a dynamic way in their conference championship game, but great skill players out on the perimeter as well and a huge test, but a great opportunity for our football program at the end of the month, I’m excited about that. We have a bunch of midyear enrollees you guys got a chance to see a little bit of today, as well. Excited to have them a part of our program in what’s going on, get this experience here, practices at home, but also a lot of them will be able to go to the bowl site as well. Excited for them, I’ll talk about those guys here when we get to Signing Day. I’ll open it up to some questions at this point.”
On Coach Leach’s impact on him wanting to get into coaching… “That clip, man it was a long ago and at the same time it feels like that seems like yesterday. I remember that moment really clearly. That was the last practice that he was at Oklahoma, it hadn’t become public that he was taking the job at Texas Tech yet. That opportunity to talk to him, (I was) excited for him. Obviously, he and I, in that year being able to flip what was going on offensively, what had been done there before and with Bob (Stoops) and the entire staff flipped the trajectory of Oklahoma Football. Really thankful for what he poured into me. There’s a million conversations that had nothing to do with football – they might have started out as football, but they quickly transitioned into life—that you remember with him. Had an opportunity to talk to him with maybe two weeks left to go in the regular season, late night conversation and I remember my wife wasn’t listening to the entire conversation, but she heard it start with football, go way off the beaten path, and somehow navigate back to football at the very end of it. You know, from Mike, just being with him every day in the meeting room, schematically how he thought at that time, there were very few people that were that wide open and thought differently. The way the game is played in space in today’s game is a direct reflection of him and his thought pattern. For sure, how he thought about the game, how he allowed his quarterbacks to be a part of the game and have control out there on gameday, those are all things that played a major role in me ultimately wanting to get into football and coaching.”
On the balance between onboarding mid-year enrollees and focusing on bowl prep… “You guys will make (the newcomers) a story. We won’t make them the story. It’s awesome to have those guys here. The great thing about the way recruiting is in today’s world is they’ve been around our players a bunch, and they’re already connected—that group as they come here on campus, but also to our football team. The focus for us is getting our players ready to go play here. The early part of bowl prep has been about getting our young guys a ton of reps and helping them grow as a football player as our older guys had a little bit of time to kind of heal up from the season. Having them here on campus, you get them started primarily through individual (periods), maybe some one-on-one sessions where they’re able to grow an understanding of what we want. We spent a little bit of extra time with them on the back end of practice, 10 to 15 minutes, being intentional and helping them grow where they’re gaining something out of the experience. They learn the culture. We set the parameters of who we are and what we do. It’s a great opportunity for them to spend two weeks here and kind of get a feel for that. I think the biggest thing out of this bowl preparation for the young guys that come in, is they understand the speed, the urgency that you have to have. I think it accelerates the urgency when they get back here in January, where they’re very intentional in growing every single day. They get themselves in a position to be ready for spring ball.”
On Jalin Hyatt winning the Biletnikoff Award and his decision to declare for the NFL Draft… “What an awesome story, right? Proud of him. All of those individual awards come through team success and a team working together. So extremely excited for him, and excited for our football team that he gets recognized in that way. The season that he had, everybody’s heard the story. Wanting to be a great player versus working to be a great player. Man, he paid the price and he reaped the rewards. Really proud of him and what he accomplished all year long. It’s a great story that will live forever inside of this building for our future players and future teams. At the same time, the NFL process for all of our guys, we want guys to have the opportunity to go to that level, to be a high draft pick and maximize their value. The conversations, we use not just coaches’ (evaluations), but resources. You try to get them the right information in front of them, so that they can make the right decision for them and their family. Whether that’s Jalin, whether it’s Darnell (Wright), all of those guys, you feel like they have the education, they have the information, then you let them make a great decision. Excited for Jalin and his future, know he’s going to be a high draft pick. Excited that we had a huge part in his journey. This is going to be his home forever.”
On the NCAA calendar for football during the month of December… “I think there are going to have to continue to be changes to the calendar. That’s recruiting calendar, it’s the amount of dead time that you have where you can focus and emphasize what’s going on inside of your own building. There are a lot of balls that have to be juggled in the air here once it hits December. Finding the right balance, I think is something that the NCAA is going to have to take a hard look at. Obviously, our coaches’ association should be a huge part of that in trying to find the right way to structure and balance everything here throughout the 12-month calendar.”
On how he feels the team will be from a health standpoint for the Orange Bowl… “I do feel like by the time that we get to the major part of our prep, but certainly by the time that we get to Miami, we should be pretty healthy and ready to go compete with everybody.”
On the status of QB Tayven Jackson and if he’ll be available for the bowl game… “I think if we continue down the stretch that we have (he will be available). He’s been back, he’s been practicing here the last week. As long as we continue on that (path) I feel like he’ll be available for us when we get to Miami.”
On Cedric Tillman’s health status throughout the season and his lasting impact at Tennessee… “I think that’s a really unique situation. A young guy that obviously played extremely well a year ago and was ready to play extremely well this year too. From Week 3 or Week 4, whatever it was, obviously had the surgery, just hasn’t been at 100 percent. I love that he came back and tried to compete on the backend of the season. I think that shows his heart for his teammates, for this program. For him, as he’s getting ready for the draft process, I think it’s important that he gets to the point where he’s 100 percent. For him, this month here has got a chance to help him heal up and be ready for the backend of the NFL process.”
