Heupel press conference to open fall practice

[Freak]

-Not sure there's a better time to be a Vol.

-We never set a ceiling on what we could be.

-On Nico... A guy that came in here and wanted to earn it. How he works, how he competes, his consistency has been a huge part of the trust, love and belief our players have in him.

-Recruiting the state of North Carolina is big for us. It's a border state and we've been intentional there. James Pearce is one success story.

-Like what running backs did in the spring. A couple of guys missed spring ball and their growth will be important.

-You rebuild your team every single year. Now you're in the last phase of the offseason and we have to win every rep every day. A lot of growth needs to take place this time of year.

-Offense too a step back last year, a lot of that was red zone efficiency. We have to come back and be smarter and more efficient in that area.

-Lance Heard did a great job in spring and really grew. He's a really young player. Cam Seldon has done a great job during rehab, he works extremely hard. We hope to have him healthy early in the season.

-This is the deepest wide receiver room we've had. Just sheer numbers. We've been a little short there. Young guys have had more time to develop.

-The success we've had in baseball and basketball helps us on the recruiting side.

-A lot of new faces at TE. A young face in Ethan Davis. He's a dramatically different player and body. It's another position we're deeper at then when we got here. The group has really grown through the summer.

-Thought things slowed down for Nico in the bowl game. He's been very urgent and worked hard. He's a young player. We expect him to play at a really high level right from the jump but there will be a growth and maturation phase as well.

-What's been key to roster management? It starts with the athletic department and administration. Being smart and having a plan. You look at what we've been able to do on the recruiting side. Our brand is continuing to get stronger.

-This is the most mature group on incoming players that we've had in our program.

 

[TAF]

Dat COUGH, DOh...

 

[Freak]

Tim Banks likes how much bigger and stronger 5-star freshman edge Jordan Ross has gotten since arriving on campus.

He likes transfer DL Jaxson Moi.

Boo Carter has great energy. He's always going 100mph.

Excited about Jermod McCoy and Jalen McMurray.

Banks is pretty sure Pili is 100% healthy.

Anxious to see if Telander picks up where he left off last year.

Christian Charles is the x-factor. He's had a lot of back luck. We have him at safety right now but he can play any of the three db positions.

 

[cardvolfan]

Halzle on what they as coaches tell their playmakers: “go in there and play at 100 mph and just let it rip.”

 

[IndianaVol]

Halzle on what they as coaches tell their playmakers: “go in there and play at 100 mph and just let it rip.”

Gloves are off boys - it's time !!!

 

[VolBricks]

1 day until "football practice time at Tennessee" cannot wait for the first FB game. This offseason has flown by watching the basketball, baseball, softball and rowing teams complete and win.

 

[Freak]

Halzle said Bru McCoy still looks like a superhero running full speed after what happened. Said he's an animal.\



Marklinger has set himself up to challenge for playing time.

 

[volmanjr]

 

[Oldvoldad]

Tim Banks likes how much bigger and stronger 5-star freshman edge Jordan Ross has gotten since arriving on campus.

He likes transfer DL Jaxson Moi.

Boo Carter has great energy. He's always going 100mph.

Excited about Jermod McCoy and Jalen McMurray.

Banks is pretty sure Pili is 100% healthy.

Anxious to see if Telander picks up where he left off last year.

Christian Charles is the x-factor. He's had a lot of back luck. We have him at safety right now but he can play any of the three db positions.

Totally forgot Charles is still on the team.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Now we get to enjoy 30 days of watching drills and learning absolutely nothing new!

 

[TAF]

 

[TAF]

 

[TAF]

 

[AlsaceFreak]

-Not sure there's a better time to be a Vol.

-We never set a ceiling on what we could be.

-On Nico... A guy that came in here and wanted to earn it. How he works, how he competes, his consistency has been a huge part of the trust, love and belief our players have in him.

-Recruiting the state of North Carolina is big for us. It's a border state and we've been intentional there. James Pearce is one success story.

-Like what running backs did in the spring. A couple of guys missed spring ball and their growth will be important.

-You rebuild your team every single year. Now you're in the last phase of the offseason and we have to win every rep every day. A lot of growth needs to take place this time of year.

-Offense too a step back last year, a lot of that was red zone efficiency. We have to come back and be smarter and more efficient in that area.

-Lance Heard did a great job in spring and really grew. He's a really young player. Cam Seldon has done a great job during rehab, he works extremely hard. We hope to have him healthy early in the season.

-This is the deepest wide receiver room we've had. Just sheer numbers. We've been a little short there. Young guys have had more time to develop.

-The success we've had in baseball and basketball helps us on the recruiting side.

-A lot of new faces at TE. A young face in Ethan Davis. He's a dramatically different player and body. It's another position we're deeper at then when we got here. The group has really grown through the summer.

-Thought things slowed down for Nico in the bowl game. He's been very urgent and worked hard. He's a young player. We expect him to play at a really high level right from the jump but there will be a growth and maturation phase as well.

-What's been key to roster management? It starts with the athletic department and administration. Being smart and having a plan. You look at what we've been able to do on the recruiting side. Our brand is continuing to get stronger.

-This is the most mature group on incoming players that we've had in our program.

If Ethan Davis can stay healthy we are going to have an immediate weapon at Tight End that has been very needed. I am excited to see him after those comments.

 

[TAF]

 

[TAF]

 

[TAF]

 

[TAF]

 

[TAF]

 

[TAF]

 

[TAF]

 

[TAF]

 

[VAVol85]

Merklinger looks a little like a young version of Heupel to me.

 

[butchna]

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Now we get to enjoy 30 days of watching drills and learning absolutely nothing new!

My favorite part is hearing a player's name mentioned over and over and how unstoppable they are only to never hear the name again once the season starts (until they hit the portal).

I understand the excitement and don't fault anyone at all. At my age the pre-season just doesn't do anything for me. Bring on opening day.