Fall training camp: Assessment of Tennessee’s wide receivers
Tennessee practiced for the seventh time during fall training camp on Wednesday at Haslam Field.
Following practice, wide receivers coach Kodi Burns met with media and discussed Tennessee’s unit.
“Really any rotation, any position, you want to be as deep as you can be,” Burns said of the Vols’ depth in the wide receiver unit. “It’s clear that we run up-tempo offense, we play extremely fast. There’s not going to be a whole lot of time for substitutions, but you would like to be at least two-deep at every single position.
“Two, or really three or four wideouts on the field every single play — as deep as we can get. We’ve got to, obviously, stay healthy. That’s a big key, a big part of it, but we want to be as deep as you can be.”
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Below are more comments and assessments from Burns on Tennessee’s wide receiver unit through seven practices during fall training camp.
Dayne Davis discusses ‘living the dream’ playing at Tennessee.
Tennessee concluded its fifth practice during fall training camp on Monday at Haslam Field.
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Dayne Davis met with media following Monday’s practice.
The 6-foot-7, 325-pound Davis said his time at Tennessee has been a blessing after growing up being a fan of the Vols.
“It’s just truly a blessing,” Davis said. “I’ve been really blessed. I was a fan once, obviously, so I’m just living the dream, absolutely. It’s been nothing but amazing.”
Davis came to Tennessee as walk-on and was placed on scholarship in Dec. 2020.
“I never would’ve come here if I didn’t know that I could play here,” Davis said. “I’ve always had that mentality, and I never got down on myself.
“I always knew it was in me, just had to get that out. I knew my work ethic could get me where I wanted to go.”
Fall training camp: Assessment of Tennessee’s offensive line through five practices
Tennessee practiced for the fifth time Monday during fall training camp.
Following practice, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee met with media and discussed the Vols during fall training camp.
Elarbee discussed if he has identified any starters on the offensive line yet.
“I’m going to go old school and say that we have identified no starters since we haven’t had a tackling day in scrimmage and not go down that line just yet, so I can keep the competition in the room the way it needs to be,” he said.
Elarbee mentioned he believes there are nine or ten student-athletes that could start on the offensive line this season.
“I think we’re in that nine or ten range for sure,” Elarbee said. “I really do think that. I feel like every time you step on the field you’ve got to work. If you don’t love the guy next to you enough — if he’s better than you that day and needs to start — shame on you. That makes us better. They’ve all got to buy into that. That’s the only way we’ll have a unit. You come out and have a bad day and you’re not starting the next day, that’s competition and is a good thing for us.”
Below are more comments and assessments from Elarbee on Tennessee’s offensive line unit through five practices during fall training camp.
Tennessee’s Warren Burrell details being more confident entering junior season.
Warren Burrell enters his third season at Tennessee.
The 6-foot, 190-pound junior has appeared in 17 games for the Vols.
Burrell met with media following Tennessee’s third practice during fall training camp. Burrell discussed how much different a player he is now entering 2021, compared to being a freshman in 2019.
“I feel like I’m much more mature of a player,” Burrell said. “You know how freshmen can be, with jitters and a little bit of anxiety going on. You want to do well in your first game. Now, it’s mostly focusing on going out there, being who I am and playing ball. I’m more confident in my ability of what I’m able to do when I step on the field.”
Burrell also discussed areas of his game he has improved on.
“I want to try to improve all around, but the main thing for me is I want to get my hands on the ball more,” he said. “I’ve been doing whatever it takes, as far as catching jugs or even working with the quarterbacks — doing what I have to do, to make sure I get both of my hands on the ball and create turnovers.”
Tennessee’s Byron Young discusses technique, playing for Rodney Garner.
Tennessee enters its second week of fall training camp on Monday.
The Vols have practiced four times since camp started Aug. 4.
Following practice No. 3 of fall training camp, junior linebacker Byron Young met with media. Young transferred from Georgia Military College and enrolled at Tennessee in January.
During Young’s media availability, the 6-foot-3, 243-pound linebacker discussed his focal point coming out of spring football.
“My technique was one of my biggest focuses,” Young said. “During the spring, I kind of struggled with that a little bit. Here now in fall camp, I’ve gotten way better with that — my stance and everything. That was my main focus, my technique.”
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Young also discussed playing for defensive assistant Rodney Garner. He credits Garner for helping with his technique.
“Coach Garner’s on me every day and I’m glad he’s on me like that,” Young said. “I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. He’s on me every day and that’s another reason why I got my technique down pat. He pushes me, makes me start over, you know what I’m saying? I love it. He’s one of the greats.
“You look at his stats, he’s really one of the greats. I just take in everything he says, take in the coaching and perform.”
Tyler Baron discusses the LEO position, Vols’ new vibe under Josh Heupel.
Tyler Baron enters his sophomore season at Tennessee in 2021.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound linebacker met with media following Tennessee’s third practice during fall training camp.
“I feel pretty good,” Baron said of how he feels during the early stages of fall training camp. “I added a little bit of weight, but with that I got a lot stronger. I went up around 12 pounds and I only gained .25 percent body fat. I am feeling really good and moving well. I’m just excited.”
Baron detailed playing the LEO position under first-year defensive coordinator Tim Banks.
“I love it,” Baron said of the LEO position. “Coach Banks giving us the ability to have personality and put ourselves in a bunch of different situations to show them we can do it.
“Whether that’s dropping in coverage, covering people down the field, rushing off the edge on the side – he just puts us in different situations to show versatility.”
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Baron also discussed first-year head coach Josh Heupel and the mentality and mindset of Tennessee’s program under his guidance.
“It’s a different vibe,” Baron said of Tennessee’s program under Heupel. “It’s a totally different atmosphere. I tell everybody coming in from our season last year to this year, you almost can’t even call it the same program. It’s a totally different mindset. People are taking more advantage of everything and it’s going to be really positive.
“The biggest thing for me is the mindset of the team and the mindset in the building. Everybody is looking for how they can improve more so than just getting through. Everybody is determined. All the new guys are buying into the program. Coach Heupel is leading us in the right direction and we’re just happy to follow him.”
Caleb Tremblay discusses arriving at Tennessee from USC.
Redshirt senior Caleb Tremblay announced his commitment to Tennessee in April.
Tremblay played for USC from 2018-20.
The 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive lineman totaled 21 tackles and two sacks with the Trojans.
Following the Vols’ third practice during fall training camp, Tremblay met with media and discussed his time at Tennessee.
“It hasn’t been much of a culture shock to be honest,” Tremblay said. “I would actually say Tennessee is a lot like where I’m from. I’m from Napa, California. We’ve got a lot of nature and trees there. It’s been a pretty easy transition. The guys on the team, everybody has been really nice.
“That’s one thing I want to say about the south — everyone is nice and welcoming down here, compared to California. The transition has been good and over the last three months, I’ve spent time getting my body right.”
Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Tremblay’s position coach is Rodney Garner. The USC transfer mentioned it has been great to play for Garner.
“He’s a real technician,” Tremblay said. “I feel like I’ve already made a lot of growth, even though we’ve just had three fall camp practices.
“Even in those three days, I’ve made a lot of growth as a player. I’m excited to work for him and see where it ends up. I’m going to show up every day and work.”
Fall training camp: Tim Banks discusses Tennessee’s defense
Tennessee kicked off fall training camp Wednesday ahead of the 2021 season under first-year head coach Josh Heupel.
The Vols held its media day Tuesday. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks met with media and discussed Tennessee’s defense.
Banks was asked if a base defense has been decided on yet.
“I wouldn’t tell you even if we had,” Banks said. “No, we’re going to be multiple. I mean, I don’t think that’s the secret. You’re going to see two backs and multiple tight ends one week, and then another week, you may see all empty.
“I think you need to be multiple, so that’s the way we’re building the defense. Based on who we’re playing, we may feature one front maybe more than the other, and maybe more defensive backs more than the other, so is this really going to be based on the game.”
Tennessee will kick off the season Sept. 2 against Bowling Green at Neyland Stadium.
