#VolReport: ‘Amazing’ Feeling Bonds Newcomers

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The five offensive players in Tennessee’s mid-term class met with the media for the first time on Tuesday afternoon and brought a familiar theme to the event: How amazing it was to be at Tennessee

The feeling was nothing new for offensive lineman Chance Hall. To the Roanoke, Virginia native, Tennessee felt so much like home, he could not wait to make it a reality.

“Every visit I came on, it just felt like home,” Hall said. “The whole atmosphere is just amazing. I don’t know why anyone would chose anywhere else.”

The players came from near and far, but none farther than quarterback Quinten Dormady, who will not be making any quick drives home. The long distance from Boerne, Texas made the family atmosphere at UT even more important in the recruiting process.

“This is a family place,” Dormady said. “Being 17 hours away from home you want to feel like you’re at home, being that far away from parents and siblings and that kind of thing. So yeah I think that it was the family part of it.”

And like a family, Dormady saw the genuine nature of Butch Jones and his staff, both in football and in life.

“They’re just real personable people, they’re going to tell you how it is,” Dormady said. “I think that works out for the best. You know where your place is. And everyone is here to get better and guide you along the way for your life after football.”

Two of the newest Vols, Juaun Jennings and Jack Jones know that feeling of home better than most now that they have the opportunity to represent their home state school. Both made the three-hour journey from Murfreesboro to begin their college careers.

“It felt so great to finally be down here and be a part of the team,” Jennings said. “Not just by a recruiting class, but a part of the team. It was a blessing, and I gave glory to God then and there.”

Jones feels it at every turn, from going to class and getting to know his teammates to even meeting the media for the first time. All of it is the realization of a long-held dream.

“This is all pretty surreal right now,” Jones said. “I’ve seen guys getting interviewed and now it’s my turn. It’s pretty wild. I really think it’s going to be a great experience.”

For Alvin Kamara, the bright lights of Tennessee are nothing new, but they do represent a fresh start for a player that spent last season at Hutchinson Community College after transferring from Alabama following his freshman year.

“It feels good to be able to just start over,” Kamara said. “Just having that experience with going to Bama first, just knowing how to kind of play the game, just do what I have to do to be successful.”

All five are ready to help set the tone and glad to have their college careers underway.

“I’m loving it so far,” Jones said. “Just being able to come in and train in this awesome facility, it’s been awesome. I can’t wait to keep getting better and better.”

SOUND BITES

Here are sound bites from the newest members of #Team119:

FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK QUINTEN DORMADY

»(On experienced receivers helping his progress)

“It’s huge, getting to play with guys that have a lot of experience because you can just give it to them and let them play a little bit more rather than trying to have to do everything yourself. It’s good to have those kind of playmakers around you.

»(On getting to see Tennessee win over South Carolina and win in the bowl)

“Huge. I mean it’s just a ton of momentum going into this off season. Guys are already working out even though they’ve played just a little over a week ago so that’s good to see and as we start team workouts here it’ll be fun.”

»(On learning from Joshua Dobbs)

“I think that the quarterback room as a whole is tight already so being around him and following him around and picking apart his brain has definitely been an advantage since I’ve been here.”

FRESHMAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN CHANCE HALL

»(On the jump into preparing to play again after being injured)

“It is a big jump, but we’ve been doing a lot of watching film and everything, so I’m trying to learn as much technique as I can with the time we have off now.”

»(On watching the Vols beat Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl)

“It was an amazing feeling just watching them do it. It makes me want to do it that much more and having the chance to play in a bowl game.”

»(On the camaraderie with the newcomers)

“We’ve gotten really tight hanging out all the time and watching the game together the other night. We’ve just been hanging out a lot together. We have some classes together. We’re getting real close already.”

FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK JAUAN JENNINGS

»(On the transition from high school to college)

“It has been a little bit difficult transition, but these guys took me in like family as soon as I got down here. That has made it easier these last couple of days.”

»(On quarterback being a natural position)

“I would like to say it is. It was something I had always wanted to do, but I didn’t get the opportunity to play varsity quarterback until my junior year of high school. When I got the job, I did well with it, and during my senior year, I did excellent. Now, I am here.”

FRESHMAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN JACK JONES

»(On what he’s looking to get out of this semester)

“I just want to get in the swing of things. I really want to get a lot stronger in the weight room. I’ll get a lot of work in with the coaches and everything, just learning the new plays and the new technique. Spring practice really will be a big benefit as well because those practice days mean a lot in the development of a player.”

»(On his relationship with the veterans on the team)

“I’ve talked a lot with them. Coleman Thomas, that’s my big brother. Really all the guys have just taken me in and they’ve done a real good job of that. They’re already kind of showing me the ropes a little bit so I’m very grateful for the great offensive line guys – they’re really good dudes.”

»(On the development of UT’s offensive line)

“Tennessee’s offensive line is really young. I really want to come up here and help in any way I can. I just want to be out there and do anything for Coach Mahoney, Coach Jones, any way they need me. I think this offensive line made a lot of strides this year and they did a great job as the year developed. They just got better and better. And I hope to continue that into next year – we’re just going to keep getting better and better. If it means me getting to play a little bit, that’s awesome. But I’m here to work and I’m here to get this offensive line better.”

RS SOPHOMORE RUNNING BACK ALVIN KAMARA

»(On the opportunity to earn early playing time)

“It’s a huge opportunity. Jalen (Hurd) did a lot of great things last year and I’m looking forward to learning from him because he did it before me. Getting in the film room and working with him and coach G (Gillespie), just getting to learn the offense and get on the field in spring and learn. It’ll be great to see what we team up and do.”

»(On the transition to Tennessee)

“Yeah it has. Guys like Jason Croom and Ryan Jenkins; guys like those make it pretty easy because if I need something I can just call them. Growing up with Ryan Jenkins and then going to high school with Jason Croom, I was excited and ready to be here and I’m here now.”

»(On what he learned while in junior college)

“Commitment, because it’s tough being in JUCO. As you guys probably know, JUCO is a whole different world than being at a D-1 school. So, just being committed and staying humble and being able to just get through that and work hard to get where you want to get.”