KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – As No. 12/10 Tennessee continues to prepare for its season opener against Virginia four days from now in Nashville, two of the position groups that have arguably improved the most from last season and will be relied upon heavily are the running backs and linebackers.
Both units are anchored by experienced returners and also added exciting newcomers to the mix that should bolster the offense and defense as a whole.
“Right now, I love the depth. It’s the first time since I’ve been here that we have multiple backs that we have a lot of trust in as an offensive staff,” running backs coach Jerry Mack said following Tuesday’s practice. “You see with Jaylen Wright and Jabari (Small) that those guys have been staples in our offense the past few years. Dylan Sampson continues to grow and show that he can be a playmaker in this offense.
“I’m really impressed with the younger guys, like the Cameron Seldon’s of the world and the Khalifa Keith’s. They’ve done a really good job of coming in here in the summer and spring time, learning and getting adapted to what we are trying to do offensively. Right now, the depth is in an extremely good place.”
For linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, it’s extremely important to have his players feeling fresh late in games. The improved depth and talent within the linebacker room this season will be key in accomplishing that goal.
“Our goal is for every play that those guys are out there, and I think that this is defensive wide, is we want those guys to give 100 percent effort and we want them to empty their tank,” Jean-Mary said. “We want those guys to give everything that they have, empty their tank, and play a hundred miles an hour knowing that they could come back to the sideline, rest, and get a chance to go back. I feel like for us, we always want to be the fastest and freshest team going into the fourth quarter. I think the only way you can do that is if you get those guys the rest that they need.”
With the veteran duo of Aaron Beasley and Keenan Pili leading the way and talented youngsters such as Elijah Herring, Kalib Perry, Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander and Jalen Smith providing formidable depth, UT’s linebacker group is poised to be among the best in the SEC.
Something both coaches acknowledged was the fact that Virginia is a formidable opponent to open the season with and that the Cavaliers are much better than their 2022 record may have indicated.
“Really impressed with how hard those guys play,” Mack said. “One thing about the University of Virginia which you can tell, is they were in a lot of games last year. You see the record and people just assume that they were not a very good football team, but there were spots and there were times where they showed flashes, especially in their front defensively.
“They got really good defensive ends that do a good job pressing the pocket … At the second level, at the linebacker position, those guys move around, they fly around. We’re going to see some different bodies probably than we saw on film in some certain spots, but I think the athletic ability is still there.”
Jean-Mary noted that having to prepare for new players and adjustments in scheme that weren’t on film from last season would also be a factor in Saturday’s opener.
“It is always a challenge, because they’re so different from what we face on offense in a day-to-day period,” Jean-Mary said. “Obviously, they have the new pieces, a new quarterback. I thought the young man they had last year was dynamic as a thrower and a runner. The Muskett kid (Tony Muskett) that they named a starter that transferred from Monmouth, when you watch his film, he has a lot of the same qualities. He’s very, very athletic. Throws a really, really nice deep ball and seems to have that savvy and that poise of a really good quarterback. So, we know we have our challenges there … They are going to be a challenge to defend.”
The Big Orange open the 2023 season against the Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon at 11 a.m. CT on ABC at Nissan Stadium. The game is being presented by Nissan.
Full transcripts as well as select player quotes from Tuesday’s media availabilies can be found below.
Running Backs Coach Jerry Mack
On how he feels about the depth in the running back room going into week one…
“Right now, I love the depth. It’s the first time since I’ve been here that we have multiple backs that we have a lot of trust in as an offensive staff. You see with Jaylen Wright and Jabari (Small) that those guys have been staples in our offense the past few years. Dylan Sampson continues to grow and show that he can be a playmaker in this offense. I’m really impressed with the younger guys, like the Cameron Seldon’s of the world and the Khalifa Keith’s. They’ve done a really good job of coming in here in the summer and spring time, learning and getting adapted to what we are trying to do offensively. Right now, the depth is in an extremely good place.”
On his relationship with offensive coordinator Joey Halzle…
“Me and Coach Halzle have always had a great relationship. Being back there as a quarterback and running back tandem, you always have to be on the same page. I think more so than ever right now with his increased role as a play caller, he is leaning on me more to make sure that our backs are in good shape, because sometimes he’s got a lot more on his plate now to handle. He’ll come to me for recommendations, where I feel like the backs should be or what they should be doing. It’s not only from a running game standpoint but from a protection game standpoint as well. We have to make adjustments not only as the game goes along, but also during the course of the week. As you watch more and more film, things continue to show themselves and continue to appear, and making sure that we are all on the same page is extremely important.”
On how he knows when freshmen and newcomers are ready to play…
“I think it’s the way he operates within our offense. As you watch Cameron (Seldon) and Khalifa (Keith) continue to grow, there are some differences as far as how they go about handling their business. That’s not only in the classroom, but also on the field right now. I think back to last year when we had Dylan Sampson and how it was very apparent early when he got here that, the way he processes information and the way he communicates, that he was going to be a guy that found himself in the rotation sooner rather than later. At about the ninth practice during fall camp last year, we kind of realized that Dylan Sampson can really help us. For Cameron Seldon, it was more of him making the jump in the summertime. In the spring, it was like Star Wars for him. Everything was going all over the place. I think things continue to slow down as we go through the installs in the summertime. What you see during fall camp now is a guy that does not really make a whole lot of mental mistakes. It’s going to be more about the fundamental piece to it, his pad level and if the bright lights are going to scare him off a little bit. I do think the way he’s been operating with his demeanor as a person, it’s probably going to allow him to really help us at some point in time this year.”
On how pass protection has looked for the running backs during fall camp…
“I think growth is really the key word. Not only just from where we started this year, but over the last few years. The mentality has changed dramatically. Those guys all knew that a couple of years ago, that was kind of the focal point that we needed to improve on as a running back room. We let the team down in some aspects of not making sure that we were where we were supposed to be and as firm as we should be. They took it upon themselves to make sure that physically, they were doing what they were supposed to do to make sure that when they stepped on the field over the last couple of years, they’ve been stout enough and strong enough to hold up in pass pro. I’m really impressed with the way they kind of attacked that. (Dylan Sampson) wasn’t with us that first year, but he kind of understood and learned really fast that you’re going to have to learn how to pass pro in college football. He had that mistake against LSU last year and really never made another mistake after that from a pass protection standpoint. Was very intentional about coming over, making sure he knew where his eyes were going into every week. Now, Jaylen Wright and Jabari (Small), that’s one thing they really take pride in. They take pride as a unit; we take pride as a unit into making sure that we know exactly what our responsibilities are every week. Even if the quarterback or the center may ID it wrong, whatever is going on at that point of time, we’re able to come back and say ‘Hey, we probably should’ve done x,y,z coach as opposed to that.’ That’s just taking pride in your craft.”
On Cameron Seldon’s ability in the kickoff return game…
“I think the biggest thing is first of all, he is a guy with an innate ability to catch the football. You see he played a lot of receiver in high school, so that carries over obviously as a kickoff returner. If you want him to return punts, he probably could do that as well. The second thing is, we use the term running through the smoke. Big guy that’s six-foot, six-one, 220 pounds right now, and he’s not really afraid of any contact. He will run through those small creases, especially on kickoff return when you got those guys on kickoff team coming at you full speed. Cam has that ability to run through the smoke. He understands his strength and he’s a big, strong, strong guy who can do that.”
On how to make sure players don’t try to do too much to be able to stay in the game as the ‘hot hand’…
“At times. We had a conversation today actually on the practice field. Jabari (Small) got caught in a situation where he probably could’ve done a little bit extra to try and gain more yards. Just trying to make sure they understand, ‘Hey, stay calm, it’s going to come.’ You don’t have to force the big run, the big runs are going to come. Our offensive line has really grown a whole lot over the last couple of weeks. They’re going to create holes, they’re going to create gashes within defenses to allow us to run through a hole. We don’t have to be extra, trying to do a little bit too much at times. I do think when you got competition and you know guys are on your back as well, if you do try to get a little bit out of the framework of who you are or what you are, right now there’s another guy sitting behind you ready to come in and probably take that opportunity.”
On the message to the running back room for the first game of the year…
“Just be yourself. Like we just got through talking about, don’t try and do anything outside the framework of who you are and what you are. Fundamentally, just being sound, making sure you operate within the course of our offense, get your eyes back to the sideline. We play fast, we signal fast, we’re bouncing up getting the ball back to the officials. Just play fundamentally sound football. We don’t have to do a whole lot of extra things, if we do all the small things right everything else will take care of itself.”
On the unique challenge of being a freshman running back in this scheme…
“I think a freshman running back, no matter what offense that I’ve been involved in, it’s always going to be about protections. It’s just something that those guys don’t do a lot in high school, not only from a standpoint of who you have and what your responsibility is, but also from the standpoint of technique. That’s just not something that they’re doing a ton of. Just getting them incorporated to that. What that feels like, what that looks like. Then, always anticipating potential pressure. We talk a lot about potential pressure on third down situations, some teams are high first and second down pressure teams. You just got to be ready no matter what. When it’s a pass play, if you’re not getting out and you’re protecting, that’s your contribution to that pass play being effective.”
On what they have seen from Virginia’s defense…
“Really impressed with how hard those guys play. One thing about the University of Virginia which you can tell, is they were in a lot of games last year. You see the record and people just assume that they were not a very good football team, but there were spots and there were times where they showed flashes, especially in their front defensively. A lot of movement up front, a lot of stemming. They got really good defensive ends that do a good job pressing the pocket. That’s going to be really important for us to make sure that before we get out, we make sure there’s no extra trash hanging around the quarterback’s field, hanging around the quarterback for his vision. We are going to have to do a great job of blunting things up before we get out and actually get our pass route. At the second level, at the linebacker position, those guys move around, they fly around. We’re going to see some different bodies probably than we saw on film in some certain spots, but I think the athletic ability is still there.”
Linebackers Coach Brian Jean-Mary
On Aaron Beasley and Keenan Pili being listed atop the depth chart…
“Those are the guys that obviously have, coming out of camp, established themselves as starters. Really coming out of spring, those guys, both of them, Beasley and Pili, had really good camps. Not just as starters, but as two of the leaders on our side of the ball on defense. It is exciting to see those guys prepare and hopefully go out and have a great game on Saturday.”
On the challenges of preparing for the new players on Virginia’s offense…
“It is always a challenge, because they’re so different from what we face on offense in a day-to-day period. Obviously, they have the new pieces, a new quarterback. I thought the young man they had last year was dynamic as a thrower and a runner. The Muskett kid (Tony Muskett) that they named a starter that transferred from Monmouth, when you watch his film, he has a lot of the same qualities. He’s very, very athletic. Throws a really, really nice deep ball and seems to have that savvy and that poise of a really good quarterback. So, we know we have our challenges there. Then their slot receiver, (Malik Washington) that transferred from Northwestern. He shows some explosiveness and good ball skills. So, we have had a chance to watch those guys on tape. They are going to be a challenge to defend.”
On what goes into managing a rotation of linebackers in-game…
“Our goal is for every play that those guys are out there, and I think that this is defensive wide, is we want those guys to give 100 percent effort. We want them to empty their tank. I have always felt like that if guys did not feel like that they were going to get replaced and have a chance to rest, that they always kind of hold back. We want those guys to give everything that they have, empty their tank, and play a hundred miles an hour, knowing that they could come back to the sideline, rest, and get a chance to go back. I feel like for us, we always want to be the fastest and freshest team going into the fourth quarter. I think the only way you can do that is if you get those guys the rest that they need. I should not say rest. Give them the breaks because if we are getting in the eighty-play range, it is hard for guys to do that consistently and be able to play at their highest level.”
On the skillset Arion Carter has that could help him get on the field…
“Arion is an explosive kid. Super athletic. He was committed to a Division I school as a running back. You see the athleticism there. But the poise, the maturity, he has shown all those things which has put him in line to play early. He will play on Saturday and get a chance to go out there. I am excited to go out and see what he can do in a full first college football game.”
On conversations with players on the new clock rule…
“Coach [Josh] Heupel has done an unbelievable job. One of the best head coaches I have been around with presenting those situations on both sides of the ball. When we do situational scrimmages and when we are setting up practices, he puts us in those situations so we are prepared on both sides of the ball. We have done that several times in this fall camp. We feel like we will be prepared, but like I said, that is Coach Heup. He has done a great job with that because like I said, it affects both sides of the ball, so we feel like we will be prepared when that situation comes up.”
On Elijah Herring being ready for a bigger role compared to his freshman season…
“I have seen him mature, and I think that is the key phrase with him. I think he is a big strong kid. (He) has some athleticism, but I think the game probably moved a little fast for him last year. I think it slowed down to the point now where he understands how to play linebacker as far as reading his keys and understanding formations and situations, I’ve seen him grow there. He still has a way to go, everybody does. But we will feel a hundred times more comfortable putting him in the game, and I think he understands the task at hand at playing linebacker now.”
On why Keenan Pili fits this defense so well…
“Keenan I think is a versatile linebacker that can fit a lot of defenses, because he is a big, strong, physical linebacker, but he is also athletic enough that he can play out in space. He runs very, very well for someone his size. Obviously the experience helps; he’s played a lot of football through his college career, and he brings that element to our defense. I will say this, the poise. When things could be going haywire, he’s the same guy from play one to play 20. I think the other guys feed off of that, when you have a leader that doesn’t let the emotions of the game get to him and kind of brings everybody back down to a level where we can go execute.”
On the cohesion of the defense throughout camp…
“With the linebacker group, you said it best, we have as much responsibility in the passing game as we have in the running game. We always say, when the ball is thrown, we’re connected with the defensive backs when that ball gets down field because of our underneath coverage or our man coverage. And then obviously when stopping the run, we are the guys that plug the holes when the defensive line has been doing a great job at getting that push up field. So, it always starts with all eleven, and we have to be the guys that tie everything together. With us, what we have talked about is communication. I think that’s one thing that we have grown as a defense with communicating across the board between the secondary and the linebackers. The linebackers relaying the call and vice-versa, communicating with the front and relaying that call to the secondary. I think we’ve grown there, and I think that’s made us better as a whole unit.”
On Jeremiah Telander’s preseason camp…
“Jeremiah is a coach’s kid. His dad coached Power 5 football and was a coach for a long time. You can see those traits in him, kind of grew up with the game as a youngster, so he has those natural skills where maybe he sees things that other young players don’t. Another thing I will say is he’s aggressive. He’s one of those see ball, hit ball guys, and he’s going to try to run through a wall to go make a tackle. That aggression shows and helps him make plays. We’ve been thrilled with Jeremiah and his ability, and he’s one of those kids that we think is going to have a chance to play for us and help us this year.”
On Keenan Pili proving himself as a starter during camp…
“It always comes down to production. That’s the number one thing for us. Knowing where to be and knowing the defense, obviously that’s a big part of it, but when the ball is snapped, can you be in position to make plays? Whether that being the passing game or versus the run. He’s done that on a consistent level. He’s been a breath of fresh air, because he’s one of those kids who asks the right questions, wants to know how he can get better every day. He’s done a good job since he has been here, you know, fitting into our system. Obviously getting to know his teammates and like I said, bringing that leadership role because of his experience and the type of person that he is.”
On how the linebacker position has changed…
“With the evolution of the game, the game has turned into a sideline-to-sideline game. It’s one of those things where I think the guys that were playing safety twenty years ago, those are your outside linebackers and stack linebackers now. The guys that were your big linebackers, now are your defensive ends and more tied to the front. You still want to find the biggest, fastest, most physical guys that can execute at a high level, but I think that’s the biggest difference, is that offenses nowadays. they’re going to get you in space and you’re going to have to find guys that can make tackles and not just in a phone booth. They’re going to have to make a tackle in the living room. They’re going to have a lot of space where those guys can move around, so we have to be able to find guys that can execute in the passing game, obviously, to defend really fast Alvin Kamara type running backs, and feel comfortable that they can stop the run when that ball is getting run in between the tackles. It’s a unique position to be in, and I enjoy the new way of coaching the game. You mentioned when I played, I played with full backs and tight ends, and they broke a huddle after every snap. That’s dinosaur ages now. You have to be able to play out in space and really play sideline-to-sideline.”
Redshirt Senior TE Jacob Warren
On how he compares the duo of him and McCallan Castles to himself and Princeton Fant last year…
“It’s very similar. I think McCallan does a lot of things that Princeton did last year just in how athletic he is, how strong he is, his speed and the things he’s able to do on the perimeter are really cool. You’ll see that this year with him getting really involved in the pass game and doing some really cool things with him in the backfield. He’s just a guy that truly comes to work every single day. McCallan is here now, and he’s a guy that I can really depend on, trust and know that he’ll have my back when we’re out there together.”
On how surreal it is to look back from his first year at Tennessee to now…
“It’s been amazing. Things start to slow down a little bit and you start to appreciate every moment. Getting out of fall camp this year and thinking about how when I was younger, I was dragging every day at fall camp and not enjoying it, right? Because I was not having a lot of success when I was younger. I was not big enough, strong enough or fast enough. Being able to go into these practices in this camp and this season with a greater understanding of who I am as a player, and our playbook, having a great understanding of that after being in this system for two years. I have a lot of confidence going in and doing what I need to do.”
On how he looks at the depth and weapons on the offense…
“This is how you are successful in a league like this. It’s how you do well with a high-tempo offense and one that is extremely balanced. You have to have really good backs, wide receivers and a guy that can get them the ball. We have all of that, and I think that we have some guys coming up in both the running back and wide receiver rooms that are going to have to step up, mature a little bit on the field and be able make those huge plays whenever they’re called on. They’re more than ready.”
Senior DL Omari Thomas
On the challenges presented by Virginia…
“They’re a really good team. They really want you to just try and restep with them. They want you to, as far as defensive line wise, they give you a lot of eye candy. A lot of things that they want you to bite so that way they can do a lot of misdirection things. That’s a lot that we’ve been practicing, just working on making sure we play vertical so that way we’re not stepping, reading, so that way we’re getting watched as a defensive line. It’s been good just really going in, watching the film from last year and different things like that. Just really being able to focus on what they do well, which is like really just trying to get you a lot of eye candy, misdirection, things like that. That’s some things that we’ve been trying to focus on.”
On how ready he is to play an opponent…
“I’m excited, real excited. Just being able to start in the offseason in January up to now, we’ve just continued to grow together as a team. We battle at practice, we compete always. Just really being able to go out there and compete against each other. But now, it’s time to actually just go out there and play against somebody else. It’ll be fun just to go out there full of adrenaline and excitement. Just have fun and play with our hair on fire.”
On if he tried to focus on becoming more of a guy who stays on the field in pass situations…
“I feel like that’s something that I’ve worked on this offseason. Just continuing to work on my hands, work on everything that goes into pass rush and being a three-down guy. I’m proud of myself for being able to do that. Like you said, we play a lot of snaps, so we got to be able to have a bunch of people who can play three downs. That’s something that we really focus on as far as four-man pass rush and being able to bring blitzes and everything like that. I feel like that’s something that we’ve continued to grow all offseason from spring into now as well.”
Redshirt Senior WR Ramel Keyton
On the receiver room as a whole coming out of fall camp…
“I feel like we are more mature and more like a professional group. We come to work every single game. I expect us to go out there and do what we do with no pressure. Just go out there and play how we practice.”
On Virginia’s defense…
“They like to play single high; they like to play man-three and they like to play quarters. It’s similar to other defenses, but most of the time they like to play man, so that’s good.”
On if he tells younger receivers to stay patient…
“I probably wouldn’t just say it, but if they need encouragement I’d tell them, ‘Everything happens for a reason. You might be doing this because God is setting you up for something different. You have to work even harder for what you need.’ They understand that, and there are no egos or anything like that. I feel like they’ll be successful by knowing that.”