Tennessee and head coach Josh Heupel received a commitment for the 2022 recruiting class on Monday.
2022 offensive lineman prospect Brian Grant announced his commitment to the Vols on Twitter.
“Without further ado, I will be committing to play at the University of Tennessee,” Grant said. “Thanks Coach (Glen) Elarbee and Coach (Josh) Heup for believing in me.”
Tennessee completed its ninth spring practice on Tuesday at Haslam Field.
Following practice, Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee met with media and described the Vols’ offensive line unit.
“I’d say it’s an interesting combination that you’ve got,” Elarbee said. “A lot of older guys that have played ball, and they’re really savvy. Cade Mays and Jerome Carvin, guys that kind of understand the game on a little bit different level and then a bunch of young guys that play really hard and give unbelievable effort and just have to learn the game. They just have to learn where to put their hands, how to step, what the defense is trying to do and when you see what’s going on, try to do that at tempo as well.
“It’s a good blend. It’s really, right now, just trying to get the older guys to help bring those younger guys along and all of us get to the point where we want to be at.”
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Tennessee will conclude spring practices with its annual Chevrolet Orange & White Game on April 24 at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. EDT.
Walt Bell enters his third season as UMass’ head coach in 2021.
Bell is from Dickson, Tennessee and played at Middle Tennessee State from 2003-06.
The Tennessee native launched his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 2007 at Louisiana–Lafayette during the spring. He joined Memphis’ staff in the fall of 2007 as a graduate assistant, a position he held through 2008 before becoming a quality control coach at Oklahoma State (2009).
Bell would earn his first position coaching opportunity at Southern Miss in 2011, overseeing wide receivers. The opportunity came after serving as a graduate assistant with the Golden Eagles in 2010.
He was tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at North Carolina (2012-13) before becoming an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arkansas State from 2014-15.
Sep 8, 2012; Winston Salem, NC. North Carolina Tar Heels tight ends coach Walt Bell yells out instructions during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Bell would then become an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the Power Five level with Maryland (2016-17) and Florida State (2018).
He joined the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days” to discuss entering year three at UMass. Bell discussed how he will call plays for the first time as UMass’ head coach in 2021, playing at Middle Tennessee State and his coaching career.
The third-year UMass head coach also discussed being a co-offensive coordinator with Glen Elarbee at Arkansas State. Elarbee is serving as offensive line coach on Josh Heupel’s Tennessee staff.
The show with Bell can be listened to here or below.
Glen Elarbee has served as Josh Heupel’s offensive line coach since 2016.
Glen Elarbee has served as Josh Heupel’s offensive line coach since 2016.
He served in the position when Heupel was head coach at UCF (2018-20) and offensive coordinator with Missouri (2016-17).
Elarbee has followed Heupel to Tennessee and will be the Vols’ offensive line coach. He met with media Wednesday and discussed coaching for Heupel at UT.
“I think it goes back to when I was at Missouri,” he said. “I’ve said this a bunch. Heupel is the scariest blend of the best human being that I’ve been around that actually cares about people, cares about family and is blended with a freaky smart guy. He’s highly intelligent.
“I’ve never been around anybody who is that genuine and that smart at the game of football. I wanted to work for him ever since I met him. The decision was pretty easy.”
Nov 23, 2018; Tampa, FL; UCF Knights head coach Josh Heupel looks on against the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Heupel and Elarbee will install their uptempo offense this spring in preparation for the 2021 season.
Elarbee discussed implementing the scheme at now their third school together.
He detailed any obstacles that may have taken place in the past when installing their scheme and what he learned during his first season at Missouri alongside Heupel early on.
“Where we started here is typically the biggest change, because defenses, when we play them week-to-week, you have to know where all 11 guys are and actually be able to identify them and track them,” Elarbee said. “Us being able to know how defense is actually structured and adjust at the beginning of the game, that’s probably the biggest change for guys when we first start.
“Going back to Missouri, guys were hungry for success. They wanted to go be able to score points. They enjoy the success of playing good on offense. I think you just ask them to continue to do things differently and they stay open minded, because they see the success it brings.”
Elarbee served as Heupel’s offensive line coach at UCF from 2018-20 and at Missouri (2016-17).
Heupel was hired as Tennessee’s head coach on Jan. 27. He compiled a 28-8 record in his first head coaching stint at UCF after serving as offensive coordinator at Missouri.
The Vols currently do have a commitment for its 2022 recruiting class.
UCF offered Grant one day prior to Heupel being introduced as Tennessee’s head coach on Jan. 27.
Grant referenced new Tennessee assistant coach Glen Elarbee on Twitter. Elarbee served as UCF’s assistant head coach for offense and offensive line coach under Heupel.
