By: John Dunn Founder, Managing Director, Producer, Host The All Vol Call in Show 20230810 We all have the same concerns. "If Tennessee's secondary is even a little better this year, I think they can really do something." Well, I have good news: Tennessee's secondary isn't going to be a little better, they're going to be a lot better, and here's why: DEPTH Tennessee is now deeper in the secondary. Doneiko Slaughter, Gabe Jeudy-Lally, Jaylen McCullough, Dee Williams, Warren Burrell, Kamal Hadden, Brandon Turnage, Tamarion McDonald, Wesley Walker, Christian Charles, Andre Turrentine, Rickey Gibson III, Cristian Conyer, Jordan Matthews, Jourdan Thomas, De'Shawn Rucker, Christian Harrison, John Slaughter, and Jack Luttrell are your defensive backs, with a few more names sprinkled in. Some of you will recognize a lot of those names and recall how excited you were that Tennessee was able to lock them down in recruiting. As you can see by the sheer amount of players listed, Tennessee is very deep in the secondary. EXPERIENCE: Along with some names that you may have forgotten about, you've surely seen some names that you're very familiar with. Guys like Doneiko Slaughter, Gabe Jeudy-Lally, Jaylen McCullough, Dee Williams, Warren Burrell, Kamal Hadden, Brandon Turnage, Tamarion McDonald, Wesley Walker, Andre Turrentine, and others have played a lot of meaningful football. Now, that doesn't necessarily imply success, but it does imply that these guys have gained valuable experience, and that's one of the few things you can't coach. Josh Heupel and company have done a phenomenal job of attacking the portal for defensive back depth, and it should pay dividends for the 2023-2024 season. TALENT: Some of these names may ring a bell. Here's a look at how some of these guys were graded coming out of high school, or their previous location: Doneiko Slaughter: 3*: .8800. Gabe Jeudy-Lally: 2* .7900 (high school) increased to 4*: .9000 as a transfer due to development at BYU. Also graded as the sixth-best returning DB in the SEC. Jaylen McCullough: 4*: .9300. Dee Williams: 3*: .8800 (JuCo) Was rated as 8th best JuCo player in the nation. Kamal Hadden: 3*: .8500. Warren Burrell: 3* .8700. Brandon Turnage: 4*: .9500 (3*: .8300 as transfer). Tamarion McDonald: 3*: .8700. Wesley Walker: 3*: .8700. Andre Turrentine: 4*: .9000. (3*: .8700 as transfer). Cristian Conyer: 3*: .8700. Christian Charles: 3* .8800. Christian Harrison: 3* .8600. Jordan Matthews: 4*. 9200. Jourdan Thomas: 3*. .8700. Rickey Gibson III: 3*. 8900. De'Shawn Rucker: 3*. .8900 John Slaughter: 3* .8800. Jack Luttrell: 3*. .8700. While some may look at the "star-rating" and assume that the Vols don't have talent in the secondary, it's clear that the vast majority of the secondary hovers right around a four-star ranking, with some being on the very high end of the three-star ranking. You may also notice that the younger group of defensive backs seem to be rated higher. This implies that Josh Heupel and company have shifted plenty of focus to recruiting the secondary. Not to mention, the Vols currently have two four-star defensive back recruits locked into the 2024 class (Boo Carter and Kaleb Beasley) and a four-star defensive back locked in for 2025 (Shamar Arnoux). Although many of us still have our concerns about the strength, depth, and talent of Tennessee's secondary, hopefully this has helped put your mind at ease. The Vols now have plenty of bodies, meaningful experience, and plenty of talent. It's clear that Josh Heupel and company have put a strong focus on building a defense that can support their potent offense. If Tennessee's defense can be even the slightest bit better, and the offense maintains its potency, it could be a remarkable year for the Vols; one which would rival the 1998 season in which they last claimed the national title.

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Content Manager, Co-Host The All Vol Call in Show 20230809 Obviously, Hendon Hooker, Jalin Hyatt, and Cedric Tillman were significant aspects of Tennessee's success last season, but the importance of the offensive line's play cannot be overstated. Hooker did throw five touchdown passes to Jalin Hyatt, but it was the offensive line that allowed Hooker to do so. Darnell Wright, a top-ten pick in the NFL Draft, and Jerome Carvin were two extremely prominent linemen who are both gone, leaving the Vols with two major gaps to fill. Tennessee has the talent to fill those gaps, but they are clearly short on depth beyond that. Is this something to be concerned about? We’ll get back to this later. In Josh Heupel's fast-paced spread offense, the offensive line only needs to block for what feels like a fraction of a second. The ball is snapped, usually immediately out of the quarterback's hands. In contrast to Mike Leach's air raid style, Heupel's spread offense is highly reliant on the run game. The offensive line must take a step toward the play side and descend to block the first defender that enters that zone. However, similar to Leach's offense, when it's a pass play, the running back is vital in pass blocking, which relieves some of the strain on the offensive line. In pass protection, regardless of the personnel on the field, all linemen must operate together. One of the best attributes of the spread is that the formation limits the number of defensive fronts by forcing linebackers to cover receivers, which really simplifies pass blocking. The use of play-action is another important tool for Tennessee's offensive line. Faux hand offs provide the defense with a reason to call off a blitz; after all, why rush a passer who isn't in possession of the ball? Doing so exposes you to long-term gains in the run game. To be clear, I am not implying that Tennessee does not have offensive line talent. They certainly do. And the myth that the spread system does not require talented offensive linemen is untrue. However, the spread simplifies things and alleviates a lot of tension from the pass protectors and run blockers. Should Tennessee be concerned about a possible shortage of offensive linemen? The short answer is no.

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Content Manager, Co-Host The All Vol Call in Show 20230805 The University of Tennessee football team initially played at Baldwin Park, just north of Fort Sanders. In 1908 the team began playing at Walt Field where the Walter’s Life science building now stands. The idea for a stadium came to life in 1919, when Colonel W.S. Shields a University trustee and president of Knoxville’s City Bank donated the funds to construct what was then considered an “Athletic Field”. Once the original stadium, and what is now the lower level of the West Stand in March of 1921 it was dubbed “Shield-Watkins Field” in honor of the colonel and his wife, Alice Watkins-Shields. The funds quickly vanished, and the project was put on hold until MacGregor Smith suggested that the students and teachers finish the work together. The project was finished over two days. In celebration, an invitational track meet would be conducted, marking the first event held at the stadium. The stadium was not christened "Neyland Stadium" until 1962, named after one of Tennessee's best football coaches of all time, General Neyland. In 1968, the stadium would be one of the first ever to implement an “Astroturf” surface, which stayed until replaced by natural grass in 1994. Expansions of the stadium took off in 1926-1930, going from a capacity limit of 3,200 to 31,390. The largest expansion took place shortly after the end of World War II when General Neyland returned from war to coach the Vols. The expansion included dorm rooms, an athletic department office, and a dressing room for visiting opponents. A crowd of 52,000 were in attendance when Tennessee took on North Carolina in 1948. The stadium broke a capacity of 100,000 following the 1995 season. The largest crowd in Neyland to date was set in 2004 when 109,061 gathered to watch the Big Orange take on heated rival Florida. Modern day, the stadium almost mirrors the look of an ancient Colosseum in Rome, with the upper deck as steep as the Great Smoky Mountains. A lot of former players have said it is like the crowd is on top of you, which makes it even more intimidating for visitors. The history of Neyland Stadium is amazing, make no mistake about it. But what sets Neyland apart from others, and makes it one of, if not the greatest stadium in college football is the 100,000 screaming fans who strike fear into the hearts of opposing teams and fanbases. Ask any college football expert or fan, Neyland Stadium is special. What happens in that stadium on Saturdays in the fall creates memories for generations. If you don’t believe me, just ask former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield who had this to say about Neyland: “When we went to play Tennessee in Neyland Stadium, that was probably the best game experience I've had and probably will ever have. That's a different type of loud. I can't even describe it. It was unbelievable.". Mayfield wasn’t the only Sooner who felt the effects, however, Ty Darlington used to think home-field advantage was a myth, that is, until he visited Neyland: And then I ran out of the tunnel in Knoxville, Tennessee, for a warm-up and was greeted by thousands of screaming fans and the chorus of ‘Rocky Top,’ Darlington said. “The game wasn’t set to start for over an hour, and these people seemed to think it was kickoff time. I exited the tunnel for the pregame warm-up, and those psychotic students were already there, giving us a small preview of what to expect in the hours to come. What had we gotten ourselves into?” From the very first night game against Penn State in 1972 where Tennessee knocked off the sixth-ranked Nittany Lions, to knocking off the number-one ranked Auburn 38-20 in 1985, to the 1998 home opener where the Volunteers bested the second-ranked Florida Gators, and then, of course, the 2022 victory over Alabama where Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt officially put the Vols back on the map, Neyland Stadium has seen some of the most special moments in college football history. The 2023 -2024 Volunteers squad has an opportunity to add to those special moments with a victory over the Georgia Bulldogs. Neyland will be rowdy and ready.

By: John Dunn Founder, Managing Editor, Producer, Host The All Vol Call in Show 20230802 In 2022, the University of Tennessee football team experienced more success than it had in almost two decades. The season was highlighted by incredible amounts of individual accomplishment and recognition, such as Jalin Hyatt winning the Biletnikoff Award or Hendon Hooker being a Heisman front-runner until his disastrous ACL injury against South Carolina. However, there were no accomplishments deemed greater than the home victory over Alabama or the Orange Bowl victory over ACC Champion: Clemson. With such amazing accomplishments to build off of in 2023, you may be asking yourself, "John, why would we want to move on from that season if it was such a smashing success?" The answer is actually incredibly simple. If you keep looking behind you, you'll never see the path ahead. Yes, it's absolutely wonderful that Tennessee was able to finally topple the Tide and tilt the Tigers; two programs which have enjoyed immense success over the last decade or so. But also yes, it is indicative of the direction of the Tennessee program. There is a clear cut resurgence taking place on Rocky Top, right before our eyes. Anyone who says otherwise clearly isn't watching, isn't paying attention, or has an agenda to push. That is why it's time to move on. Yes, it happened; let it go. Remember the days when Tennessee used to beat the likes of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, etc, and it was just "another day at the office"? When that was the norm, is when Tennessee was at the top. Guess what? Tennessee did defeat LSU and Alabama last season. Unfortunately, Georgia has recently kicked off an extremely dominant run in the last few years, but Tennessee is nipping at their heels. That is a great sign of things to come for the Vols, but hopefully the team is looking ahead to the 2023 match-ups with these schools. If you keep looking backward, you're going to trip over your own feet, and that's just something that Tennessee can't afford to do this season. Following an 11-win season, the Vols can't afford any self-inflicted setbacks. This is an opportunity for Tennessee to return to the precipice of college football where it rightfully belongs, but in order for the Vols to do that, they have to capitalize on the growth that has been made during Josh Heupel's short time with the school. It's honestly remarkable what he has been able to accomplish in such a short time. But, he is no stranger to the expectations that accompany the football team every single year, regardless of previous season results, or other circumstances. On that same hand, that's exactly how the 2022 season should be viewed. Although it was a success, it has no bearing on the results of games this coming season. Use it where you can: recruiting, video marketing, or whatever else you may need to, but the team and fan base should look ahead; not backward. Tennessee needs to get back to winning consistently against top competition, and treating it just like "another day at the office."

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Content Manager, Co-Host The All Vol Call in Show 20230731 Many universities and college fanbases have attempted to claim the title WRU and DBU, but no other institution may have a stronger claim to the moniker of "RBU" than the University of Tennessee. Regardless, if you look at the “down years” or the golden ages, Rocky Top has been home to many great ball carriers. From Curt Watson to Haskel Stanback the list goes on and on. It would take hours, maybe even days to list them all. Here are some notable running backs who have donned the orange and white: TAUREN POOLE (2008-2011) Poole experienced something that not many college players will, playing under three different head coaches; Phillip Fulmer, Lane Kiffin, and Derek Dooley. He really broke out during the 2010 season when he had six games with 100+ rushing yards. For Poole’s Tennessee career, he rushed for 1,898 yards and 17 touchdowns on 423 carries. While Poole never really found a home in the NFL that should not overshadow what he was able to do in Knoxville. TRAVIS HENRY (1997-2000) Henry fell victim to a crowded backfield his freshman season but was able to find his way onto the gridiron during his sophomore campaign. A part of the 1998 National Championship squad, Henry toted the ball 176 times for 970 yards and four touchdowns. In the National title game, he took 19 carries for 28 yards. In his junior season, he actually saw a decrease in carries, taking 125 attempts for 790 yards and eight touchdowns. For his senior campaign, however, he burst onto the scene with a bang, carrying the ball 253 times for 1,314 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was awarded first-team All-SEC honors by the Associated Press and to this day holds the school record for career rushing yards with 3,078. In the NFL Henry played for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Denver Broncos and was very successful. JOHNNY MAJORS (1954-1956) It would be a catastrophe to not mention Majors in a list of some of the best Tennessee running backs of all time. A lot of people consider Majors a quarterback due to his ability to throw the ball, but at the time he was considered a running back so that’s what we’ll call him. He finished his career at Tennessee with 1,622 rushing yards, 1,135 passing yards, 438 punt return yards, 344 kickoff yards, and 25 touchdowns. Majors was probably one of the most versatile players of all time and way ahead of his time. JOHN KELLY (2015-2017) Even if his teams weren't always the best, Kelly's name comes to mind when I think of really good running backs at Tennessee. In fact, in 2017, he was a member of one of the worst Tennessee teams in history, with a 4-8 overall record and an 0-8 conference record. Kelly carried for 1,573 yards and 15 touchdowns on 327 tries during his time at Tennessee. Kelly has played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and the Cleveland Browns but has struggled to establish consistency on the field, running the ball 32 times for 96 yards and 0 touchdowns. ALVIN KAMARA (2015-2016) Though Kamara didn’t play long at Tennessee, he quickly became one of the most liked players in recent program history. Transferring from Alabama to Hutchinson Community College, and then Tennessee, Kamara came into Knoxville with something to prove, and boy did he. In 2016 his 312 all-purpose yards set an all-time record at Tennessee. He finished his career at Tennessee with 1,294 yards and 16 touchdowns on 210 carries in just two years at Tennessee. Kamara is currently a member of the New Orleans Saints and has had a very successful career thus far. JAMAL LEWIS (1997-1999) Lewis rushed for 1,364 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman in Knoxville, and finished his career with 2,677 rushing yards and 3,161 all-purpose yards. He played in the NFL for nine seasons, six with the Baltimore Ravens and three with the Cleveland Browns. Lewis ran for 10,607 yards and 58 touchdowns on 2,542 attempts during his NFL career. Those are just a handful of the finest running backs to ever grace Shield-Watkins Field and Neyland Stadium, and with Josh Heupel and his staff's recruiting ability, there will be many, many more to come. The Vols have a three-headed monster in the back field for the 2023 season in Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright, and Dylan Sampson, with plenty of other talent waiting in the wings, such as: Cam Seldon, DeSean Bishop, and Peyton Lewis.

By: Trevor Shelby Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Co-Host The All Vol Call in Show 20230730 Points have not been hard to come by since Josh Heupel took over as Tennessee’s head coach in 2021. His high-octane offense has set multiple records and led to historic wins in 2022. As the 2023 season approaches, we will take a deeper look at the ins and outs of Heupel’s scheme. This series will start with his background and philosophy, move on to plays and concepts, and then analyze specific players and their respective roles. Coach Heupel’s philosophy begins with his experiences as a quarterback at Oklahoma. Having played for Mike Leach in the Air Raid offense, he is no stranger to innovation. He stayed on at OU as an assistant coach for the better part of his early career until he was fired in 2014. During his time in the Big 12, Heupel bore witness to Art Briles and his offenses at Baylor. A successful high school coach in Texas, Briles joined the college ranks as an assistant under Leach at Texas Tech. He then took the head job at Houston before matriculating to Baylor. Briles and the Bears went on a tear in the mid 2010s, which resulted in unprecedented success for the program. Robert Griffin III won a Heisman Trophy and was selected #1 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. Bryce Petty led BU to consecutive Big 12 Championships in 2013 and 2014. If you remember those Baylor teams, they were good for 40 points a game at a minimum. The Bears averaged 52.4 points a game in 2013, 48.2 in 2014, and 48.1 in 2015. They used a fast-paced spread offense to run roughshod over the conference before Briles’ dismissal in 2015. With football being the copycat sport that it is, coaches all over the country took note. In Heupel’s case, he got by with a little help from his friends. After his pro career, he returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant in 2004. Jeff Lebby was a student assistant at Oklahoma from 2002 to 2006. He is also Art Briles’ son-in-law, which may have led to some chalk talk at a family gathering or two. Lebby cut his teeth under Briles, taking on multiple roles at Baylor from 2008 to 2016. He later went on to serve as Heupel’s offensive coordinator at UCF. Joe Jon Finley overlapped with both Heupel and Lebby as a player at OU from 2004 to 2008. He returned to Norman as a GA from 2012 to 2014, then moved on to Baylor for Briles’ final season in 2015. Finley then rejoined Heupel as the tight ends coach at Missouri in 2016. After connecting the dots, it’s easy to see the influence that Baylor and Briles had on Heupel. Keep that in mind as we go along. Now the question begs, what was Briles doing at Baylor that was so influential? You came to the right place. As it was mentioned before, the Bears utilized a no-huddle, spread offense. At the time, this was considered to be cutting-edge due to the likes of Chip Kelly, Gus Malzahn, Urban Meyer, and Rich Rodriguez. But the way Briles was doing things could not be compared to his peers. He used extreme splits from the wide receivers, a power run game, and a play-action passing attack based off of vertical choice routes to score all those points. Many refer to it as the “veer and shoot”, which combines the wishbone veer and run-and-shoot offenses that proliferated throughout the state of Texas in the 1970s and ‘80s. As a personal preference, I refer to it as the spread-iso, a term coined by sportswriter Ian Boyd. The offense spreads out defenders and isolates weak targets for them to pick on, whether it be in the run or pass game. Heupel began experimenting with concepts seen at Baylor shortly before he was let go from Oklahoma. After one year at Utah State, he brought his version of the offense to the SEC with Mizzou. He parlayed his time in CoMo into his first head coaching position at UCF, where he continued to hone his craft before coming to Knoxville two years ago. Tennessee’s spread-ISO offense is a unique blend of concepts based on Josh Heupel’s experiences as a player and young coach. As a player under Mike Leach and a peer of two coaches that worked for Art Briles at Baylor, Heupel is no stranger to scoring touchdowns. Despite the optical differences, his philosophy is not far off from the option and pro-style offenses of old. Heupel’s ideal strategy is to attack defenses on the interior by running the football, get playmakers in space by using quick passes and screens, and taking the top off by using vertical choice routes off of play-action. In the next edition, we will talk more about what this high-flying offense looks like on the field.

By: Darrell Winstead Correspondent The All Vol Call in Show 20230727 The month of July truly kicks off the summer! From the 4th of July parties to family vacations, the beginning of football season is just around the corner and things are heating up. Speaking of football and heating up, July has been full of recruiting fireworks for the Vols. For the past two years Tennessee has been redhot on the recruiting trail in the month of July. This year is no different as the Vols received five commitments this month and four of those have come from players with 4★ rankings and up. Just like last year, the Vols were hovering just outside the top ten, then the calendar turned to July and Tennessee springboarded (from 12th to current spot of 9th by On3recruiting service) into the top ten. Not only have they moved into the top ten overall, the Vols now currently have the 4th best class in the SEC, behind Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The Vols are finishing the month strong with commits from five-star stud WR Mike Matthews and instate four-star LB Edwin Spillman. Sprinkle in commitments from four-star OL William Shatterwhite and three-star DL Carson Gentle and it’s clear to see the Vols love the July heat. As you can see it’s not just a quantity class but a quality class overall, as the Vols currently have one five-star and eleven four-star recruits that have committed to them. Tennessee has has received a ton of help in getting these players to commit, from four-star ATH Boo Carter who has been one of their biggest advocates and has been instrumental in helping the Vols land these big recruits. There is just a few days left in the month and maybe Tennessee can grab another commit or two and really cap off what has been a terrific recruiting month. Football has become a non-stop business and everything is on the table for these recruits and it’s important that the Vols keep their seat at the table. Last years recruiting class set the stage and this years class took it to another level. Enjoy the fireworks as Tennssee Vol football is as hot as that July BBQ!

By: Darrell Winstead Correspondent The All Vol Call in Show 20230727 The start of the 2023 college football season for the Tennessee Vols is right around the corner. There is plenty of excitement in the air but there are still some questions that need to be addressed. The Vols use multiple fronts defensively but run a base 4-2-5 scheme and will look to finalize who their starters for the opener versus Virginia. Even with them set, the Vols need to solidify the pecking order of the depth chart behind those starters. One position that sticks out to me is the linebacker position, where they have experienced players Aaron Beasley (SR) and Keenan Pili (R-SR) listed as the starters but who would be that next man up behind them? One player that seems to make Josh Heupel light up when talking about the future is four-star freshman Arion Carter, who is an in-state prize, from Smyrna High School in Smyrna, Tennessee. During Carter’s signing day press conference, Heupel praised Carter calling him “super athletic, smart, and competitive” and “One of the more mature guys that I have gone through the process with”. He has everything you like, want, and need in a linebacker. He is listed as 6’1”/227 lbs and boasts some intriguing athletic numbers. He has a basketball and track background, where he was a state qualifier in the 300-meter hurdles. On the gridiron, he was a two-way star (RB/LB) for the Smyrna Bulldogs where he won the state of Tennessee’s Class 6A Mr Football Award & Region 6-6A Defensive Player of the Year honors. As a senior, he recorded 92 tackles (8.4 per game), 67 being solo stops, 72.8% solo rate, six TFLs, three sacks, one interception, and five PBUs. Oh, and just a ho-hum 1184 rushing yards and 19 TDs. Carter made an official visit to Tennessee on December 2nd, 2022, and committed to the Vols 12 days later. Two days after that (Dec 16th) Carter enrolled at the university and never looked back. Enrolling early allowed him to participate in Orange Bowl practices and get a jump start on his college career. He chose the Vols over offers from 40+ other schools, including Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State. He is currently listed as the immediate backup to Keenan Pili, who transferred in from BYU. It’s my feeling that while Pili is listed as the current starter and has more experience, Carter will push him for that role and at the least significant playing time. This is in line with what the future holds as well. Both Beasley and Pili will be gone in 2024 and having Carter ready is extremely important for the continuing success of the defense As you can see, Carter is a highly talented and athletic player and it will be hard for the Vols not to find a way to get him on the field as much as possible. Having him played a lot as a true freshman is a win-win for the Vols this season and the future. Get him on the field, let him learn from Beasley and Pili, and have him ready to take over after this season. It’s no longer enough to have the best players as starters at your most prominent positions, you have to have the best players continually coming in. The future looks bright for Tennessee and Arion Carter is leading the youth movement.

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Co-Host The All Vol Call in Show 20230727 Cameron Seldon committed to Josh Heupel and Tennessee on July 7th, 2022. The four-star athlete was the number-one player in Virginia and chose the Vols over Penn State and Maryland. Seldon, who stands six feet two inches tall, and weighs 222 pounds, can play anywhere on the field. He has the strength to play linebacker and the stature and speed to play receiver, but he will carry the ball for the Volunteers at running back. Seldon rushed for 551 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior in high school, while also catching 18 passes for 365 yards and five touchdowns. He's a threat in the return game, having scored four touchdowns on three kickoffs and one punt. Despite all those accolades and attributes mentioned, Seldon will have to compete for touches this season, as Tennessee's backfield is as loaded as it’s been in some time. Carries will have to be shared by Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright, Dylan Sampson, and Seldon. Having such issues should be viewed as nothing but a positive for Josh Heupel and Tennessee. Seldon's speed, size, and vision make him an ideal running back in the SEC. He has also been timed running a 4.2-second 40-yard dash. At 222 lbs., moving at that speed, you would be hard pressed to find a linebacker or defensive back in the SEC that would have an easy time bringing down that load on their own. Seldon's future is so bright for Tennessee, he's going to need triple tinted sunglasses. Buckle up, Vol fans..

By: Jake Hubbard Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Co-Host The All Vol Call in Show 20230727 Wesley Walker; If you don’t know the name, learn it. I have very high expectations for the senior safety this upcoming season for Tennessee. If you have watched Walker in the past, he has made some explosive plays. From pass deflections to rocking a quarterback’s blind side, when Walker makes a play… you know it. Walker is a transfer from Georgia Tech, where in his last two seasons with the Yellow Jackets he averaged 46 total tackles. Walker found himself a key part of Tennessee’s defense last season, filling in behind the likes of Jaylen McCollough and Trevon Flowers. Playing behind the two aforementioned starters, Walker still compiled four pass deflections, one interception, one sack, and a handful of QB rushes. With Flowers moving on in life, it is now Walker’s time to shine. PFF graded Walker as the best returning safety in the SEC. With a Tennessee secondary that found itself outside the top 35 in efficiency and giving up 320 yards through the air per contest, this defense definitely has room for improvement. I believe Walker’s quickness, pure speed, and play making ability could prove as the true “X factor” on just how successful (or unsuccessful) this Tennessee defense will be. Walker not only has the physical attributes to make positive things happen, but he has the “go get ‘em” mentality that every defensive coach thirsts for. Can one player make that big of an impact on the secondary? The short answer: yes. Players like Dale Carter, Deon Grant, Eric Berry carried the same attributes listed above that Walker possesses. They not only performed at an all-time high for themselves, but they made everyone around them better. Wesley Walker has that capability, he just needs to unleash it. I believe he will do just that in 2023. Georgia has shown that games are not only one in the trenches, but also in the secondary. If Walker steps up in the way I believe he can… watch out. Tennessee will be dangerous.

By: Jake Hubbard Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Co-Host The All Vol Call in Show 20230726 Bru Mccoy was one of the most overlooked receivers last year, in my opinion. This is simply because he was overshadowed by the most impressive season posted by a Tennessee wide receiver in school history. When you think about the 2022 Tennessee football season, there are many big plays that come to mind… none bigger than the go up and get it catch that Mccoy made as time was winding down on October 15. Besides the big play against Alabama, Bru Mccoy was an absolute stud for Tennessee last year. He is/was a sleeping giant, and I thoroughly believe that he has all the pieces to play on Sundays for a long time. He has a great build, he plays aggressive, and he catches the ball with his hands. Once he has the ball, two things are guaranteed: he is not going to let it go and it is for sure going to take more than one guy to bring him down. Mccoy was second in line to only Jalin Hyatt last season, who rewrote the records books as a wide receiver. Last year Mccoy had several big games that have seemed to have gotten overlooked. Against Florida, he had five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. Against Missouri, he had nine receptions for 111 yards. Against LSU he had seven receptions for 140 yards. So Mccoy is throwing up big numbers against good defenses. Mccoy is one of those players that you love to watch work. He is diligent, driven, and you can tell he loves to have the ball in his hands. With Hyatt gone and a new starting QB taking over, Mccoy will be seeing his share of work on Saturdays. He may not be a speedy guy like Hyatt or elusive like Squirell, but Mccoy wears #15 for a reason; he’s a dog. Look for Bru to have a huge season on Rocky Top.

By: Jake Hubbard Senior Staff Writer, Junior Editor, Co-Host The All Vol Call in Show 20230726 Kamal Hadden is a name that was tossed around in a slew of contexts last season. I initially said that Hadden was the best man defender that Tennessee had, and I truly believed that. I also, out of anger, cursed his name after the combination of poor play and careless behavior in the devastating loss to South Carolina. However, I still think that the former could ring true and carry over to the 2023 season. I believe in Josh Heupel and I believe above all else, he does what is best for the football team. I think that Kamal Hadden has all the pieces to be a magnificent ballplayer in the SEC, and I hope that he supports this theory with his on field performance in the upcoming season. Hear me out: I love a player that plays with heart and gives 100%. However, just like everything else, there is a time and place for it. Make a big time interception, knock a guy on his tail, or sack the QB from behind; it’s all yours, celebrate and jaw a little. When you get burnt, put your head down and get back to work. Despite the knucklehead jawing against South Carolina, mixed with a few busts throughout the season, Hadden was a dang good player. For reference, Hadden finished the season 6 th in total tackles, led the team in interceptions, and added 3 pass deflections and a fumble recovery. I truly believe that if Kamal Hadden channels that passion, and uses that enthusiasm to not only better himself but to better the team. I think Hadden will be a big asset to this defense and that we will see a much more humble, electric player wearing #5.