Tennessees first-year linebackers coach said a few of his players especially seniors John Propst and Channing Fugate exceeded his initial expectations.
I tell you, Propst is a lot better than I thought, Thigpen told 247Sports. Hes gonna help us win some games this year, I really believe that, cause hes a coach. He really gets it. Hes a smart, cerebral kid, and he has a lot of pride in his game. Fugates the same way. All he does is come out here and go out 200 percent. Christian Harris is another guy that plays really well and within the system, and I think well continue to watch him grow. Hell be exciting to watch for us, as well.
And then guys like Dontavis Sapp, I think he grew up a lot. I think Greg King has grown up, too. It goes up to the leadership from our head coach to our defensive coordinator and their expectations. Theres a lot of pressure and a lot of stress for kids to do right and to lead right.
Thigpen also said his depth situation at least in the immediate sense was nothing to complain about heading into summer workouts.
Its the future, starting with 2014, that worries Thigpen. And for good reason.
Well, this years not bad, said Thigpen, who spent the past few years at Auburn. Its just that Ive got a lot older kids which is a good thing for this year. The question mark comes in the next year, when a lot of these guys graduate. I mean, were gonna graduate seven guys. You know, thats a lot of linebackers, a lot of experience off the field.
But the guys Ive got in now, theyre solid. Even the backups are solid players, and theyre older kids. Thats a plus for us, an advantage in my opinion, cause youve got guys thats been in some type of playing situation, been in some games. Theyre less likely to panic, and thats good.
While UTs linebackers coach admitted to feeling better after spring than he felt going into it, he stopped well short of saying his group was reason for the season. He said he always has a very high expectation level for his players, and his current players havent met em yet.
UT senior linebacker John Propst
Of course, we havent played a game yet, so its hard to say, he said. We hadnt been in any bullets yet, and no real fire. Its one thing to practice, but then all of a sudden youve got to go out there and execute in a game so thats gonna be a key, is when we go out, will guys execute, you know, when theres 100,000 people in the stands.
And then will they be consistent when we actually have to go through the duration of a football game. When things are going good on offense, how are we gonna play? When things are going bad on offense, how are we gonna play? How are we gonna play if we lose our first game?
Thats the key, is how were gonna keep ascending and keep improving as a defense. Thats got to be our No. 1 goal.