Watch: Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee discusses 2023 fall training camp
Tennessee practiced for the fifth time during fall training camp at Haslam Field on Monday in preparation for the 2023 season.
The Vols will kick off its 2023 campaign on Sept. 2 versus Virginia at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Kickoff between Tennessee and the Cavaliers is slated for noon EDT and ABC will televise the season-opening matchup.
Tennessee is ranked No. 10 in the 2023 preseason USA TODAY Sports AFCA football coaches poll.
Elarbee discussed a relationship redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton III is developing with the Vols’ offensive line.
“I think Joe has been awesome,” Elarbee said. “You feel him at practice every day, just his energy, his leadership, his vocality, and honestly, his play, too. All those things to be a leader count but, being able to put it on the field and guys seeing you make throws and make the offense go builds confidence in him. They kind of just gravitate to him, it’s built in.
“If you are an o-lineman and you don’t love your quarterback and don’t protect with everything in your life and think he’s the world, then you’re in the wrong position.”
“I think two things with John,” Elarbee said. “I think he’s a little bit healthier. He played all of last year and had the injury, and I think he’s just moving better, but also, for sure in shape. Then it’s just the confidence of knowing the offense a little better. The more you know what you’re doing, and have confidence in it, the faster you’re going to play as well.”
Campbell Jr. appeared in 34 games, including 18 starts, at Miami from 2018-22. He started 16 games at left tackle, one at right tackle and one at left guard with the Hurricanes.
Campbell Jr. did not play in 2021 while recovering from leg surgery.
John Campbell Jr. during 2023 spring practices. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee discusses the development of offensive lineman Addison Nichols.
Tennessee practiced for the fifth time during fall training camp on Monday.
Third-year offensive line coach Glen Elarbee met with media following practice.
He discussed the development of redshirt freshman offensive lineman Addison Nichols.
“He’s doing good,” Elarbee said. “He had a better day today. He’s still roaming between center and left guard. I think all of our centers have to do a better job snapping the football right now, but that’s kind of the start of camp and spring any time, but we’re working to correct that as we speak.”
The 6-foot-5, 327-pound Nichols appeared in two games for the Vols in 2022. He played eight offensive snaps versus UT Martin and four against Ball State.
Nichols earned 2022 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll honors.
“I think Darnell’s just growing each day, just so proud of him,” Elarbee said. “The way he practiced yesterday was just unbelievably physical, the questions that he asked in the meeting room, the attention, you can just see him trying to be different in the way that he focuses, and even things he’s trying to work technique wise.
“He wants extra drill work, he wants extra reps, he wants to work. I think that’s something. I’m not sure, he probably did a little last year, but it’s so pronounced this year. He’s just such an improved player, and I’m just excited for him. I hope he keeps it up and just has a phenomenal year.”
“Intelligence has to be up there, just because you’re making decisions so fast,” Elarbee said. “You’re the coach out on the field, because you have to change it on third downs and get us right, and there’s so much involved with that. Obviously, you have to just be unbelievably tough.
“I think that’s kind of got to be the cornerstone of the offensive line. That guy better be the toughest son of a gun on the field, and then the athletic ability, because we do pull that guy, and then, obviously, as much girth, width, anchor ability as you can possibly get.”
“I think all of the freshmen are a lot different, him for sure,” Elarbee said of Nichols. “I think the game has slowed down a lot for him. When he makes a mistake, he already knows it versus having to go into the film room, watch it and talk about it. It’s instantaneous. ‘Man, I should have called this or I should have done this.’
“Now, the challenge for him, is he’s taking a few reps with two’s and starting to move and take some reps at different positions. Handling all of that mentally and the physical part of starting to go against better bodies, the technique has to be a little cleaner. The play has to be a little faster. He’s done a great job. It’s a lot on a freshman.”
Addison Nichols. The University of Tennessee’s second scrimmage during spring football practices at Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, Tennessee on April 9, 2022. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
The 6-foot-5, 318-pound Nichols enrolled at Tennessee in January and took part in spring practices.
Elarbee discussed where Nichols is currently playing on the offensive line.
“He took reps everywhere during the summer,” Elarbee said. “In fall camp, it’s been center and guard mainly.”
The Vols will open its season against Ball State at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.
The meeting is the first between the two schools.
Tennessee will play in the second Johnny Majors Classic Sept. 10 at Pittsburgh, followed by hosting Akron Sept. 17 and Florida Sept. 24 during the season’s opening month.
Tennessee assistant coach Glen Elarbee discusses having four offensive line starters returning.
Tennessee kicked off spring practices March 22.
Following the Vols’ fifth practice on Wednesday, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee discussed having four starters returning upfront.
“I think they are a little bit different in the fact that when you lose a bunch of guys, you have to figure out who is going to be best at a position initially and you aren’t quite as far ahead as you are,” Elarbee said. “Having four guys returning, especially where JC (Jeremiah Crawford) played some center, Darnell (Wright) has gone back and forth to both sides, there is a little bit more wiggle room.
“Guys you feel like know where they played last year well enough that if you have to move them, adjust them, play them in different places in the spring, it is not such a big deal, and hopefully, it gives you a chance that guys who haven’t played as much. Where they can just sit still in a position, learn it, and feel a little bit more comfortable.”
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.
