Vols Excited for Season Opener, Heupel Names Starting QB

It's game week on Rocky Top as the Volunteers get set to kick off their 2021 season in just three days' time.

Head coach Josh Heupel met with the media on Monday to preview Thursday's season opener against Bowling Green. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field.

"We have been at work over the course of the weekend. We had three really good practices. Guys are mentally and physically in a really good spot," Heupel said. "We need to clean some things up the next couple of days, but we are excited for the opportunity to go play inside Neyland Stadium.

"For our coaches, this will be their first opportunity to play inside Neyland, run through the T and experience the Vol Walk. I am unbelievably excited about those opportunities and the chance to live out those traditions. We are excited to go out and show the work we have put in during the last seven to eight months to go play some football."

The big news of the day was Heupel naming redshirt junior Joe Milton III the starting quarterback for Thursday night's opener. The Michigan transfer joined the team in June and has impressed Heupel and the staff with his strong arm and accuracy as well as his decision-making and athleticism.

"At the end of the day, Joe's grasp of our offense in a short amount of time, his growth during the middle portion of training and his acceleration in what we are doing with his physical attributes and decision making led us to put the ball in his hands for the first game."

Heupel was also quick to note that he really likes the quarterback group as a whole and trusts any of his three scholarship signal callers if and when their names are called.

"I really do mean it when I say that I love that group," Heupel said. "They push each other and are really positive. Our team and offensive group see and feel that energy. All three of them have a positive effect on the offense and team as a whole. They've handled that throughout this entire process, which is really difficult to do.

"I really believe that all three of them will have an opportunity to go play at a really high level if given the opportunity."

Experienced Secondary Ready to Lead Vols Defense

Two weeks away from the season opener against Bowling Green, the Tennessee Volunteers took Haslam field for the 13th time in preseason camp.

Secondary coach Willie Martinez took the stand after practice to discuss how developed and experienced his group has been throughout camp.

"I've been a lot of places, this group, even in the springtime, they did a really great job of getting lined up," coach Martinez started. "Eyes in the right spots … they're confident, they feel like they can get lined up fast enough now and actually get the calls in and get their eyes on the guy who is the playmaker, the formations, the sets, trying to ID to be able to make a good play."

Technique and fundamentals have been a key part of preseason camp, but Martinez expressed confidence that when the defense executes, they can compete with anybody.

"If everyone does their job, and does it to the best of their ability, and understands our defense and scheme and play fast and strained on plays, that gives you a chance if you do it on a consistent basis against fast-tempo offenses, or offenses in general in this league."

A few returning Vols in the secondary have been a great resource to establish the scheme of the defense and Martinez acknowledged the impact that leadership has meant to him.

"You can see the leadership there," Martinez said referring to Alontae Taylor, Warren Burrell and Theo Jackson. "I think that's why the young guys and new guys have really been connecting well with the group."

An added bonus is the coaching players in the secondary have given each other. That is how growth multiplies, according to Martinez, who couldn't' be happier about his team's commitment to success.

"If it's not player-driven, you've got no shot. I think they are doing a good job of that as a collective group on the backend. I think the whole defense is."

Vols Build Toughness in Rainy Final Scrimmage

Heavy rain from remnants of Tropical Storm Fred greeted Tennessee football at its second and final preseason scrimmage on Tuesday morning, allowing the Volunteers to focus on ball security and building toughness.

Tennessee scrimmaged for less than two hours in conditions that could be common on a Saturday in the fall. The Vols also dressed at Neyland Stadium and went through warmups, simulating a normal game day.

"We got a chance to get out there in the rain and some adverse weather there," head coach Josh Heupel said. "I thought special teams (and) offensively (we) handled it pretty well for the most part of the day.

"Game day, you wake up (and) no matter what the weather report has said throughout the course of the week, you've got to play in the elements that you've got. We will play in a rain game, so your mindset – offense, defense, special teams – has to be that this is the right weather for us to go out and execute. It has no bearing on who we are and what we do and how we do it."

Heupel said all three quarterbacks – Harrison Bailey, Joe Milton III and Hendon Hooker –- executed well in the conditions and made good decisions.   

"There really weren't a ton of turnovers last week. The weather really had very little effect, for the most part. I thought the quarterbacks handled the weather (and) were able the throw the ball efficiently and effectively. I thought our wide receivers did a pretty good job. (We) didn't have any center-quarterback issues. It was really pretty good."

Tennessee will take Wednesday off, which is also the first day of classes of the fall semester. The Vols begin a three-day stretch of practices on Thursday morning.

Small, Evans Headline Young and Talented Running Back Room for Vols

Tennessee wrapped up practice No. 11 on Monday morning at Haslam Field as the Volunteers continue to power through preseason camp and move closer to the season opener against Bowling Green.

First-year running backs coach Jerry Mack met with the media following Monday's practice to talk about the progression of UT's backfield as it prepares for Tuesday's closed scrimmage at Neyland Stadium.

What the Vols' running back room may lack in experience, it makes up for in talent and depth, as a handful of players seem poised to make an impact on offense and special teams this season.

While Tennessee fans will see plenty of faces in the offensive backfield this fall, sophomore Jabari Small and junior college transfer Tiyon Evans have emerged as the two leaders of the group.

"As we're toward the end of fall camp, we're still combing through the depth chart. I do think those two guys have separated themselves as far as being a little bit more at the top of the depth chart than more at the bottom," Mack said. "Both of those guys, they can go in the game right now as 1A and 1B and participate. They both have very similar skill sets. Jabari is obviously a little bit smaller, a little bit shiftier, has got some experience playing the receiver position, so he can do a lot of different things as far as his repertoire.

"At the same time, you have Tiyon, who has just so much power like I said before, running between the tackles. Those guys have really been a good 1-2 punch throughout fall camp."

Garner Looking for Continued Improvement and Winning Mentality from Defensive Front

Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner met with the media after a hot and humid morning practice as Haslam Field on Monday to talk about the progression of the Vols' deep defensive line group.

UT's defensive front proved to be one of the strongest units in Thursday's scrimmage, drawing praise from head coach Josh Heupel afterwards.

"I thought the defensive side of the football was extremely physical and changed and disrupted the offensive front, played on the other side of the line of scrimmage," Heupel said after Thursday's scrimmage at Neyland Stadium.

Despite the impressive showing on Thursday, Garner was quick to point out that his group still has plenty to improve on before the season opener in less than three weeks.

"There's room for improvement all across the board, including coaching. We've all got to hold ourselves to a higher standard and understand what that standard is, just understand that there are no shortcuts to success," Garner said. "It's going to happen through adversity and how you handle adversity when you put yourself in adverse situations.

"Are you going to find a way to fight and win, or are you going to find a way to lose? That's what we've got to change, that mentality. Where we're going to find a way to win when the game is on the line."

The Big Orange will get back to work on Sunday and Monday at Haslam Field before holding another closed scrimmage on Tuesday.

Defense Shines In First Preseason Scrimmage

With exactly three weeks until Tennessee's season-opener under head coach Josh Heupel, the Volunteers went through their first preseason camp scrimmage on Thursday morning in Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee worked all three phases for two hours and the scrimmage featured live tackling.  

"There's only one way that we should compete when we walk in that stadium," Heupel said. "I'm proud of a lot of the things we did on both sides of the ball. Defensively, I think we played with great effort, energy and strain. We competed extremely hard and tackled well in space. A lot of really positive things from them. Offensively, we showed glimpses of those things, but didn't really string it together the way that we want to or need to."

Heupel gave equal reps to all three quarterbacks battling for the starting spot, including Harrison Bailey, Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton III.

"They kind of cycled through. If a guy had a three-and-out he might have had an extra drive just to keep the play count relatively close."

The Vols will take Friday off before practicing three straight days beginning on Saturday morning. That leads to the squad's next scrimmage, which is scheduled for Tuesday in Neyland Stadium. The scrimmage will be closed to the public.

Statues Honoring Tennessee Football Trailblazers to be Unveiled Sept. 2

The University of Tennessee will unveil a new and permanent tribute to four trailblazers from throughout the storied history of Tennessee football as a kickoff to Neyland Stadium's year-long centennial celebration.

Tennessee proudly led the way in providing opportunities for Black student-athletes to excel on the Southeastern Conference gridiron. Beginning in the 1960s, Tennessee's progressive posture on racial equity led to legendary Volunteers recording several history-making firsts.

On Thursday, Sept. 2, larger-than-life bronze statues commemorating Lester McClain, Jackie Walker, Condredge Holloway and Tee Martin will be unveiled in the plaza outside Gate 21 at Neyland Stadium.

In the first weeks of Danny White's tenure as Director of Athletics, he set in motion a plan to honor the contributions of these four lettermen who represent significant "firsts" and forged a path for generations of minority student-athletes to follow in their footsteps on Rocky Top.

Tennessee commissioned noted master sculptor Brian Hanlon, who—over the past several months at his New Jersey studio—meticulously crafted each Vol legend in a unique, game-action pose.

"It's an honor for this university to be able to permanently recognize the impact of these men in such a powerful way," White said. "We are proud of what their names represent, and I believe this is a fitting tribute. They carried themselves with strength and grace as they led the way for so many others. I love that our football student-athletes will pass by this installation during every Vol Walk. I hope it serves as a reminder of those who came before them and paved the way for progress."

A nod to Tennessee Athletics' innovative and progressive history—which it aims to restore under White's leadership—the project is one of the first initiatives funded through the My All Campaign.

A dedication ceremony during which the statues will be unveiled will take place on Sept. 2 before Tennessee's football season-opener against Bowling Green. Due to space limitations related to campus transit services in the Gate 21 area (classes are in session that day), attendance for the ceremony will be limited, but the event will be streamed live on UTsports.com and the Tennessee Athletics YouTube channel.  

Lester McClain | 1968-70

Wingback | Antioch, Tenn.

 

1968 – Tennessee sophomore wingback Lester McClain—who in 1967 became the program's first Black player—also made history as the first Black SEC player to score a touchdown when he hauled in his first of two scoring receptions during UT's 24-7 win at Georgia Tech on Oct. 12, 1968.

 

"It's certainly an honor to be remembered and placed into history at the University of Tennessee like this," McClain said. "It's a wonderful thing. I hope I can influence many others to come forth and give their very best to the university and continue to make a difference in the world.

 

"I do regret that my parents are no longer around to be part of the dedication. Dr. Bill Garrett is someone else who would have been very proud. He played a major role in me coming to the university and earning a scholarship. He felt like I could do well, so he stood up and fought for me. I can't take any credit without remembering him and all he did for me."

 

Jackie Walker | 1969-71

Linebacker | Knoxville, Tenn.

 

1970 – Knoxville native Jackie Walker earned distinction as the SEC's first Black football All-American after leading a formidable Tennessee defense as an explosive junior linebacker with a knack for snagging interceptions.

 

Walker passed away in 2002. He will be represented by members of his family, including his brother, Marshall, at the Sept. 2 dedication.

 

"I want to first say that I'm honored to be able to represent the Walker family when Jackie's statue gets unveiled," Marshall Walker said. "I believe Jackie would feel it's a tremendous honor to have a statue on the University of Tennessee campus. None of us ever expected this. I'm ecstatic, proud and happy that (Danny White, Marcus Hilliard) and the rest of the UT staff and coaches saw this as important and found a way to honor these historic University of Tennessee athletes."

 

Condredge Holloway | 1972-74

Quarterback | Huntsville, Ala.

 

1972 – With a national TV audience tuned in, Tennessee sophomore Condredge Holloway dazzled during a dominant, 34-3 season-opening victory at Georgia Tech on Sept. 9, 1972, while becoming the first Black player to start at quarterback on an SEC team.

 

"When I first heard about this, I was pretty shocked," Holloway said. "It's a great honor. I'm nothing but grateful. I enjoyed all the things I did there at the University of Tennessee, but a lot of the credit for this honor goes to my teammates.

 

"Back when I was playing, I never thought about opening doors for players in the future. I just thought about trying to play my best and get along well with my teammates. It's a team game. There are 11 guys out there (on the football field), and all of us worked together to play well and win."

 

Tee Martin | 1996-99

Quarterback | Mobile, Ala.

 

1999 – After guiding Tennessee to an undefeated 1998 season and an SEC Championship, junior Tee Martin made history as the first Black quarterback to lead an SEC team to a National Championship by guiding the Volunteers to a 23-16 triumph over Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4, 1999.

 

"I want to say thank you to the Tennessee athletic department—past and present—for this outstanding honor, "Martin said. "I want this statue to represent those who came before me and opened doors for me at the University of Tennessee—Lester McClain and Condredge Holloway, to name a few. I want to thank my teammates and coaches for their hard work and love during some of the most memorable years in UT football history. I will always love you all. Go Vols!"

Vols Ready for First Fall Scrimmage

With the first scrimmage of the preseason looming, the Tennessee Volunteers took Haslam Field for the seventh practice of preseason camp on Wednesday. Wide Receivers coach Kodi Burns took the podium to discuss building a deep room of playmakers.

"We play different than anybody else in the country," Burns started, discussing the offensive scheme. "We play up-tempo, we play fast, and at any position you want to be as deep as you can be… We would like to be two, even three-deep if possible… you're in an SEC schedule. It's rough right? It's a big boy league."

A few Vols receivers come from a quarterbacking background, which includes coach Burns who played quarterback for Auburn for two years before becoming a receiver. Burns feels that knowledge will only help his group develop.

"It does help you because you do have to see the game from a different perspective… That's why you see Jimmy Calloway really taking big strides."

Building depth may be a point of emphasis, but the competition among receivers for the starting role continues to help everyone's' growth.

"The good thing about us is it's a healthy competition. We understand that we're trying to make Tennessee better. We want to go out and push each other every single day, so it is really good to actually have two or three deep to where you don't get complacent."

Tennessee, Pitt To Honor Shared Coaching Legend Johnny Majors With Johnny Majors Classic

When Tennessee and Pitt meet in Neyland Stadium on Sept. 11, they will pay tribute to a shared gridiron icon as the two programs announced Wednesday the game's designation as the Johnny Majors Classic, named in honor of the late legendary head coach and player. 

Kickoff is set for noon ET live on ESPN.

"Honoring Johnny Majors in this way creates another really special and unique element to an already-special season as we celebrate Neyland Stadium's centennial," Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. "I appreciate Pittsburgh's partnership on this. It will be a memorable day for the Majors family as well as fans of both schools who appreciate Johnny Majors' hall of fame legacy."

"We are honored to join the University of Tennessee in celebrating the life of Coach Johnny Majors," Pitt Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said. "Beyond the victories, Coach Majors made such a huge impact on the lives of his players. That's his greatest legacy and the University of Pittsburgh is incredibly proud to be part of it. We look forward to being with the Majors family when we visit in September."

The first meeting between the two teams since 1983 will celebrate Majors' legacy with in-game festivities. In addition, Johnny Majors Classic apparel will be available for purchase. The two programs will reciprocate the event on Sept. 10, 2022, when they meet at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

"Coach Majors was synonymous with Tennessee football and that has become even more apparent to me in my short time in Knoxville," Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. "He always preached 'attack, attack, attack' to his teams, a mantra we still apply today. It's only appropriate that the two programs he impacted the most will honor him with a game in his namesake, and we are proud to take part in it."

"This is an incredibly fitting tribute for Coach Majors, a true coaching legend who made such a lasting impact at both Pitt and Tennessee," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "Every time I walk past our national championship display, I'm reminded—and inspired—by his legacy. He set high standards on and off the field during his incredible career."

Majors served two tenures as head coach at Pitt, doing so from 1973-76 and 1993-96. He spent 16 seasons as head coach of his alma mater of Tennessee from 1977-92. In total, he produced a 185-137-10 record in 29 seasons of coaching.

 

A 1987 inductee of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame as a player, Majors starred for the Volunteers from 1954-56. His No. 45 was retired by his alma mater in 2012—one of only eight to earn that distinction.

A native of Lynchburg, Tennessee, and a graduate of Huntland High School, Majors finished his Tennessee playing career with 1,622 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 387 carries while also completing 54.1 percent of his passes (80 for 148) for 1,135 yards and 11 scores. He rushed for 549 yards and seven touchdowns on 108 carries in 1956.

He earned both SEC Player of the Year honors and All-SEC selection at tailback twice, in 1955 and 1956. A unanimous All-American in 1956, he finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting after leading the Vols to a 10-1 record, an appearance in the Sugar Bowl and a No. 2 final ranking.

Majors was named to the Quarter-Century All-SEC team (1950-74) at running back. When his playing career ended, he ranked in the SEC's all-time top 10 in total offense (2,757) and rushing (1,622) and was the league's single-season record holder for completion percentage (61.0 percent in 1956).

Majors' list of coaching honors is extensive and includes the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award, the AFCA Coach of the Year Award, the Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year Award and an SEC Coach of the Year Award.

Majors orchestrated one of the most dramatic turnarounds in college football history in leading Pitt to the 1976 national championship. It was a remarkable transformation considering the Panthers had finished 1-10 in 1972, the season prior to his arrival. His first prize recruit—Tony Dorsett—had a spectacular career at Pitt, which included being honored with college football's most treasured award, the Heisman Trophy.

During his initial Pitt tenure, Majors led the Panthers to three bowl games in four seasons, including victories in the Sun Bowl and the Sugar Bowl, a 27-3 thumping of Georgia that clinched a 12-0 season and the unanimous 1976 national title.

Nearly 20 years to the day Majors arrived at Pitt the first time, the Panthers summoned him back to Pittsburgh in December 1992. While not as dramatic as his first tour, Majors recruited many players that formed the nucleus of Pitt's 1997 Liberty Bowl team, a squad that helped set into motion a revival that put the Panthers annually in the postseason picture once again.

Majors owned a stellar 116-62-6 as head coach at Tennessee, with three conference championships and 12 bowl appearances. He produced 15 All-America selections.

His 1991 Tennessee team came back from what appeared to be certain defeat in 1991 at Notre Dame, rallying from a 31-7 halftime deficit to take a 35-34 triumph. His 1985 team defeated Miami in the Sugar Bowl, 35-7, capping a nine-win campaign and the program's first SEC Championship season in 16 years.

Majors spearheaded Tennessee to back-to-back SEC championships in 1989 and 1990. The 1989 season saw his squad reel off six consecutive wins to end the year, highlighted by a 31-27 win over No. 10 Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, which propelled the Vols to a No. 5 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.

Majors passed away in Knoxville on June 3, 2020, at the age of 85. 

Vols Roll Through First Practice In Full Pads

Tennessee football suited up in full pads for the first time on Tuesday for the sixth practice of preseason camp. Linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary met with local media to discuss the development of his group following the team's morning session at Haslam Field.

 

"The first day in pads is always an exciting day," Jean-Mary said. "I've been happy with it. Our guys, when we've been in up-tempo, we've had guys that have kind of been a little too exuberant, taking guys to the ground, so when we get the opportunity … I thought the guys really stepped up and did a good job there."

 

The Volunteer linebacker room was bolstered over the summer with the additions of transfers and freshmen to the fall roster as well as players returning from injury from the spring semester. UT's 'strength in numbers' has fostered competition among the group through the first week of preseason camp.

 

"At the end of spring, I think we were actually rotating five guys in that whole unit," Jean-Mary said. "We were really, really thin. Getting some of the guys that transferred in and getting some guys back that were injured has been huge. Now, we can get some quality reps and guys are not trying to save themselves or just trying to survive practice. It increases the competition level, which is the best coach in the world—competition. That's been a bright spot."

 

Jean-Mary also spoke to the importance of communication from the linebackers to their defensive teammates and how his group has handled that responsibility.

 

"That's one of the things Coach (Tim) Banks always harps on," Jean-Mary said. "There should be some sort of communication every play, whether it's what you see from the offense or what are adjustments on our defense. That's always the challenge for our guys, especially with the tempo that we see every day. I think they're getting better. We correct things on tape, and it seems to be carrying over onto the field. That's something that they're working on, but it can always get better. If it's not 100 percent, there's always something you want to work on, but we feel like we are trending in the right direction as far as the communication on all three levels."

Vols Kick Off Second Week of Fall Camp

Into its second week of preseason camp, the Tennessee Volunteers football team practiced Monday morning for the fifth time.

Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee took the podium after practice and harped on how deep and versatile his unit is, with players able to play in multiple spots on the front five.

"There are four or five guys at guard and the same goes for tackle," Elarbee said. "There are guys who can bump and move like (Jerome Carvin) at center and Cade (Mays) at guard. Those guys give you enough flexibility that you're deeper than you would (be) if one guys was just backing up one position."

The installation of new system is one thing Elarbee feels his group is thriving in. It has allowed them to learn a style of football that is unique and especially fun to play because of its diversity.

"I think they're starting to see how cool (it) is that you can mix up techniques, you can mix up schemes, and the defense isn't sitting there waiting on a certain run or a certain play… I feel like they're really enjoying learning the game of football."

An exciting, high-octane offense means less time between snaps, putting an emphasis on the conditioning of the Volunteer linemen. With a strong conditioning regimen, Elarbee feels like all of his guys are well-equipped for that speed.

"I think their bodies look different than when they came in," Elarbee noted. "I can't take credit for that. That's all Kurt (Schmidt) and (his team) working on it. Right now, you're learning how to go play through a drive, finish a drive tired and play yourself into shape."

Defense, Special Teams Gear Up for First Practice in Pads

Strapping shoulder pads on for the first time this fall, the 2021 Tennessee Volunteers took to Haslam Field for the third time in preseason camp on Friday morning.

Earlier in the week, head coach Josh Heupel emphasized the importance of winning the special teams phase of the game. Special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler showed a lot of optimism from the growth he has seen from his players.

"In the spring, our guys worked their tails off," Ekeler noted of the Vols roster. "All you do in spring practice is build your players' portfolio… on special teams, we have a really good idea what our guys' skill sets are and where to plug them in. We've got a lot of dudes, man, a lot of RLDs, real live dudes, that are flying around and we should wreck shop."

With a new-look defense, players had to get accustomed to a faster-speed of play. While there is room to grow, Ekeler feels like the understanding of schemes is well underway with his group.

"Their understanding of the system," Ekeler said. "They're a lot more comfortable which allows them to play a lot faster. We've got to play with better technique and get better every day. I like what I'm seeing."

As Ekeler and the linebacker room continue through camp, it's the motivation between peers that means the most.

"We push each other and that's why we're going to get better," junior linebacker Byron Young said. "Working with each other every day, we're going to get there."

Vols Developing QB-Friendly Offense Early In Fall Camp

The 2021 Tennessee Volunteers took Haslam Field on Thursday for the second day of preseason camp. Quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle met with local media after practice to discuss the early progress and development of Tennessee's signal callers.

 

"It's been really positive," Halzle said regarding his assessment of the quarterback room through two practices. "For starters, everyone is going out and competing their butts off, not getting a bunch of misses with call and protections, calling runs as fast as we go. Our eye discipline has been really good, and zero turnovers so far in camp right now. In camp, the first couple days you always have a tendency to be sloppy, especially with a new offense, but guys are doing a great job getting their eyes in the right place, getting the body in the right place and taking care of the football."

 

In head coach Josh Heupel's frequently referenced high-octane offensive scheme, quarterback play is paramount. Halzle discussed the importance of pushing the ball down the field quickly and efficiently, and how his group has improved since the spring.

 

"That's a big part of what we do with how we play," Halzle said. "We have guys that can throw the ball. That's what we have here. They can put it down the field. The guys that were here this spring, they have made a huge jump in actually using their lower body to drive a football instead of trying to pull it with their arm all over the place … you've seen their RPMs, their velocity, their distance, all of that pick up from when we got here at the start of spring football to where we are right now."

With four quarterbacks on scholarship and the season opener less than a month away, the competition for the starting job is underway and evolving constantly. Halzle expects to see some separation as fall camp progresses.

 

"I think it's always positive in fall camp when you have competition," Halzle said. "With that said, if you have competition at the quarterback position, that means you don't have a solidified starter that's played a bunch of ball for you. We do understand that it's coming down to it. It's about that time. So, we are pressing both the guys and the coaching staff to start figuring out who is going to separate themselves. And as that guy, or two guys or three guys start to separate themselves, they'll see their rep count go up, and they'll see that they're getting more pushed to get ready for the actual game day on Sept. 2."

Vols Hit the Ground Running in First Practice of Preseason Camp

The long-awaited first day of preseason camp is officially in the books as the 2021 Volunteers hit the ground running bright and early on Wednesday morning at Haslam Field.

During his post-practice press conference, head coach Josh Heupel was quick to praise his team's energy level during the first official practice of the season.

"I think the thing that stuck out to me today, more than anything, is we had really positive energy," Heupel said. "The guys were flying around the entire practice. I thought they handled the practice. None of them were completely exhausted as we were walking off the field today. I think they're in really good shape and they've gained strength."

Heupel also came away impressed by the communication between the players, who could be heard coaching each other up throughout the morning session.

"There's a culture that is starting to build here about doing things the right way," Heupel said. "There are players getting on players—in a positive way—and being real with each other. Once it starts taking hold inside of the locker room, that's where you have a chance to really accelerate."

Heupel, Vols Eager to Kick Off Preseason Camp on Wednesday

The start of preseason camp has arrived as the Tennessee Volunteers prepare for their first official practice of the fall on Wednesday morning at Haslam Field.

On Tuesday afternoon, head coach Josh Heupel, defensive coordinator Tim Banks and offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Johnny McDonald met with the media to discuss the start of fall camp and the excitement surrounding the upcoming season.

"In less than a month we get a chance to run out in that stadium and have an opportunity to play in front of our fans," Heupel said. "I know I'm excited. I know our players are, too. (We're) looking forward to getting on the field tomorrow morning and getting training camp started, and (we're) excited to continue to build the culture that we want to be here at Tennessee individually and collectively as a football team."

Heupel and his staff harped on the importance of building off of the 15 spring practices and hitting the ground running this fall as they continue to implement new offensive and defensive schemes.

"I think we have a greater understanding and are doing things at a much higher level than we were when we ended, and certainly from when we began here last winter and spring." Heupel said. "All of our players have had a chance to grow tremendously in understanding who we are and what we're doing – by skill set, fundamentals and technique, by strength, power and speed and the growth that they've made inside of our offseason summer conditioning program – but then also being able to read and digest everything that we're doing in our playbooks in all three phases of the game."

It's no secret that much of the excitement surrounding this year's team stems from the fast-tempo, high-powered offense that Heupel brings with him to Rocky Top. Continuing to learn the new scheme, gain confidence through repetition and build an offensive identity are among the most important goals during this fall camp.

When it comes to that offensive identity, McDonald had just one word he used to describe it: attack.

"I'm not a big slogan guy or acronym guy. We use one word: attack. An attack legitimately from the outside looking in. What attack means, and it can be quantified, but what attack means is playing harder than your opponent for longer. And within that is the tempo, within that is how we play," McDonald said.

The quarterback competition was another hot topic during Tuesday's media availabilities, as the foursome of Harrison Bailey, Hendon Hooker, Brian Maurer and Joe Milton III enter camp battling to earn the status of QB1.

"I think it's the challenge for every player to earn the trust of the coaching staff and show that they're going to compete at a consistent and championship level," Heupel said. "Once kids do that, I think it's important that you as a coaching staff put them in position to have an opportunity to have a role and play a part of what you're doing.

"Quarterbacks, just like every other position, those competitive battles that they're in, you dwindle the reps down and make decisions when guys have shown that they've earned the opportunity to become a one or become a two or become a three based on how they perform. And so, as we go through training camp, the players will dictate how that unfolds."

While Tennessee's exciting new offense has coaches and fans excited, the Vols will also be debuting a new defensive system under the director of Banks, who is excited to see how his guys respond to getting back out on the practice field after summer workouts.

Banks harped on the importance of building depth on all three levels of the defense in order to combat the plethora of fast-paced, high-scoring offenses in today's brand of college football.

"I think it's critical in this day and age with the high-octane offenses that you're going to see. I think you need to be able to have as much depth as you possibly can," Banks said. "I also think it's good for morale. The more guys have roles, the more ownership they have within the program.

"At the end of the day, you get what you earn. We're not going to put a guy out there if he hasn't earned it, but if guys have earned the right to get out there and help UT win, we are going to do everything in our power to get those guys out there to give us that chance."

When asked if he has set any specific goals for his defense for the season, Banks' answer was simple: "to win."

"That's our number one goal. We want to win. We want to find a way to do our part to make sure at the end of the day that UT is successful… We have some core fundamentals and beliefs that we have that we think are critical to us playing great defense, but ultimately, our number one goal is just to win. That's how we start everything, and that's how we end everything. What do we need to do to win?"