KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Head coach Butch Jones and student-athletes spoke to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, providing their final thoughts on this week of preparation and Saturday’s homecoming game against North Texas.
Jones spoke at the podium to begin Wednesday’s media session and provided updates on Tennessee’s injury situation — notably on the status of linebacker Curt Maggitt and defensive lineman Kyle Phillips.
Jones’ Opening Statement
“First I would like to thank our veterans for protecting our country and for all that they do.
“Saturday is a big game for us. Our student body is the best in country. They have been outstanding. And anytime we present a challenge for them, they answer that challenge. I would like to challenge them to get into Neyland Stadium and help provide a great home field advantage for us, and we’re going to need them. We are One Tennessee coming together at noon. Students out there, we need you at the game. Please come and attend the game. They’ve been outstanding along with our entire fanbase.
“I would also like to say congratulations to Jarnell Stokes and the Miami Heat, joining Josh Richardson. I think Coach [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Erik] Spoelstra likes Tennessee Vols. Obviously that is great to see.
“We’ve had a good week of preparation so far. I really like the focus that our players have had in their approach in really tightening things up in our habits, our fundamentals, our details, our execution. I thought we had one of our betterTuesday practices yesterday. Obviously, we need to have a great practice today. But I’ve liked our mindset so far.
“In terms of the injury front, I know you guys have been asking about Curt Maggitt. We did get back the MRI. Basically the status hasn’t changed. It’s going to be based on how his body continues to heal over the next few weeks. Anything would be speculation on to say whether he plays in the bowl game or not. We’ll have to wait and see. He is getting better. He is progressing. It’s all premature to speculate whether he will be back or not, but he is progressing well.
“Kyle Phillips will be out for the rest of the season. He will have shoulder surgery. He was starting to play very, very well, but we need to get that corrected so we can move forward and get him back. He has a chance to be a special player. I love everything about Kyle.
“Jashon Robertson right now is probably doubtful for the game.
“Brett Kendrick practiced. He was able to make it through practice. Brett has done everything in his power to get back. We appreciate his efforts. He did do some things in practice which was great to see.
“Preston Williams, we will know a little bit more later in the week on how he progresses.
“Marquez North, I would say his status is basically day-to-day. Some days he feels better than others. But again, these individuals are working so hard in their recovery, working to get back. We appreciate their efforts.”
Kirkland Flourishing As Season Progresses
Darrin Kirkland Jr. was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after recording a career-high nine tackles in UT’s 27-24 win over South Carolina.
“It’s a great honor,” Kirkland said. “Any time you get recognized for something, it’s a great honor. I’m really proud of the progress I have made my freshman year, and I just have to keep building on it and keep getting better.”
Kirkland has elevated his game since the start of Tennessee’s SEC schedule. He has 35 tackles (22 solo) against SEC opponents and ranks second among SEC freshman at 5.8 tackles per game in league play.
On the season, Kirkland ranks fourth on the team with 44 tackles (28 solo) to go with four tackles for a loss, two sacks, one interception, one pass deflection and five quarterback hurries.
Position Switching Ain’t Easy
Quart’e Sapp and Cortez McDowell are looking to make an impact at linebacker for the Vols. Both players were recruited at safety, but have made the transition closer to the line of scrimmage.
They are not the only current players to make that transition. Junior linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin came in to the program as a safety, but moved to linebacker early on in his career.
“It happened during training camp my freshman year,” Reeves-Maybin said. “We had guys at safety so they wanted to see what I could do at linebacker. It was a totally different position and it came with different problems to deal with. It worked out for me though.”
Reeves-Maybin recorded a team best 11 tackles on special teams as a freshman. He recorded at least one tackle on special teams in six straight games. That experience as a special teams ace helped Reeves-Maybin transition to a starter in his second season. The Clarksville, Tenn. native recorded 101 tackles and 11.0 TFL’s while starting all 13 games as a sophomore.
Cortez McDowell has followed a similar trajectory as he played in all 13 games last season and made 19 tackles including 14 on special teams. So far this season, he has served as the primary backup to Reeves-Maybin while recording a team-best seven special teams tackles.
Sapp has recorded three tackles so far this season, but both players have needed to adjust to the new position.
“Everything has to happen quicker,” Reeves-Maybin said. “You have to do a lot of pre-snap reading, and you cannot just freelance like you did when you were on the back end because you have more time. When it is up close, it is happening a lot faster, so your mental preparation has to be much higher.”
SOUND BITES
- Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin(On how he saw his career at Tennessee playing out)“I always knew I could be a linebacker. I was focused on coming to Tennessee and making an impact. I didn’t want to be someone who sits on the sidelines and wastes their abilities. I just wanted to come in and make an impact. I have been fortunate enough to be able to do that in my three years here so far.”
(On adjusting to life without Curt Maggitt)
“I think so. I think it was difficult for the D- line without Curt being there because he is a leader in that room so different guys had to get adjusted to new roles in the defense and they have done a great job with it.”
- Defensive lineman Derek Barnett(On how he and Corey Vereen help each other)“I think we complement each other well. He puts pressure on the quarterback from his side, and I do the same on my side. We are just playing complementary football.”
(On Kyle Phillips’ injury)
“He has worked really hard. He gave us a good push up the middle. He is going to get healthy and come back next year. Kyle is really talented. I feel like a bunch of people have seen how talented he is yet, but next year, he will be ready go.”
- Linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr.(On chance for bowl eligibility)“Our focus is always being 1-0, but we have definitely talked about that sixth win. It’s very important to our program. It’s be a sixth win [this early] in November for the first time in awhile, so we are looking forward to it if we get the win Saturday.”
(On bowl eligibility being the norm)
“That is what we are striving for. We are striving to be SEC Champs one day and hopefully National Champs in the future, so that is what we are pushing for. Everyone wants to push that standard up, so hopefully bowl eligibility is our thing every year.””
- Offensive lineman Coleman Thomas(On John Kelly’sproduction this season)“I love JK. He’s a hard-nosed runner. He doesn’t care to block. He always approaches everything with a great attitude, whether it’s blocking for Jalen [Hurd] or Alvin [Kamara] or vice-versa in getting the ball. They all feed off each other well.”
(On Dylan Wiesman)
“Toughest guy I know, Dylan. He doesn’t care where he plays, just like all of us on the line. We all have one common purpose, and that’s to win. [With the] injuries, we’re still going to put five out there, still going to play to the best of our abilities.”
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