Josh Heupel discusses Dayne Davis, Austin Lewis as neighborhood heroes

Josh Heupel discusses Dayne Davis and Austin Lewis being recognized as neighborhood heroes.

Bristol Motor Speedway officials recognized Colby Backus (baseball), Kirby Connell (baseball), Dayne Davis (football), Austin Lewis (football) and Camryn Sarvis (softball) as Knoxville area neighborhood heroes.

Tennessee’s five student-athletes will be honored on Sept. 16 during NASCAR Cup Series pre-race ceremonies at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Third-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discussed Davis and Lewis on the Southeastern Conference coaches media teleconference Wednesday ahead of the Vols’ season opener versus Virginia.

“Couldn’t find two guys inside of our program that are better representatives of what a college athlete should be, but what a Volunteer stands for,” Heupel said. “Those guys care so much about the guys around them. They bring their lunch pail, compete and work extremely hard every single day. You know what you are going to get from them every rep, every single day.

“Both guys have continued to grow inside of our program and guys that have a huge impact here. They do it right off the field, too. Two great representatives of Tennessee football.”

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Lewis, a redshirt senior defensive lineman, enters his second season at Tennessee in 2023.

He transferred to Tennessee after playing at East Tennessee State (2021) and Liberty (2018-20).

Lewis appeared in two games for the Vols in 2022, recording one tackle.

He played at David Crockett High School in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Lewis holds the school record for career tackles (246).

Davis, a redshirt senior offensive lineman, enters his fifth season at Tennessee in 2023. He appeared in 26 games, including three starts, with the Vols.

Davis is from Sullivan East High School in Bluff City, Tennessee.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Austin Lewis transfers to Tennessee

Austin Lewis transfers to the Vols.

Defensive end Austin Lewis announced his commitment to Tennessee on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Lewis played in four games at East Tennessee State in 2021. He transferred from Liberty to East Tennessee State ahead of the 2021 season.

Lewis played at Liberty from 2018-20.

He played at David Crockett High School in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Lewis had offers from Appalachian State, Cincinnati, Colorado State, FAU, Kansas State, Liberty, UMass, Memphis, Navy and UCF before playing for the Flames.

Tennessee will kick off its 2022 season Sept. 1 against Ball State at Neyland Stadium under second-year head coach Josh Heupel.

The Vols went 7-6 (4-4 SEC) during Heupel’s first season in 2021. Tennessee played Purdue in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.

2022 post-spring SEC football team power rankings

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