KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With the TransPerfect Music City Bowl drawing closer, the Vols are working hard before the holidays to prepare for their matchup in Nashville with Big 10 foe Purdue.

Tennessee tight ends Princeton Fant and Jacob Warren, along with cornerback Warren Burrell met with the media on Tuesday afternoon inside the Anderson Training Center to give an update on how bowl prep is coming along.

Vols TE Princeton Fant / Credit: UT Athletics

The tight end position has seen a massive uptick in production in the first season under head coach Josh Heupel with both Fant and Warren giving opposing defenses even more to think about during games.

“It definitely took a while to get used to, especially with the fast-paced offense that we have,” Fant said in regard to the Vols’ offense. “But I love the fact that we’re getting the ball, getting touches and showing what we can do as a tight end group, instead of just blocking. Blocking is one major role that tight ends do. We’re going to perfect on that, continue to block, continue to open up plays and doors for our running backs and for our quarterbacks. The main thing that I love the most is that we’re getting touches.”

Fant and Warren also talked about the dynamic they have with each other and how they have continued to help and support one another throughout the year.

“I think we both really enjoying playing with each other and playing alongside each other,” Warren said. “I think it’s unique, the way that we operate here, because we truly split. Each series that we go in there, you’ll see one of us in there, and then the next time we’re out there, it’ll be the other one.

“I’m really grateful for him, because he’s been great throughout the whole thing, not trying to be selfish about any reps. If he’s out there and he scores a touchdown or something, if you watch, I’m literally the first one running down there to celebrate with him, because I know he’d do it for me. I’ve just been blessed and been lucky to have a guy like him alongside.”

Fant echoed those sentiments when asked about his relationship with Warren.

“That’s a brotherhood, honestly. That’s my boy. We go to war together. We work hard together every day,” Fant said about playing alongside Warren. “He’s a special guy. He’s a smart player. We just go off of each other.

“He tells me what he sees out there when he’s out there and I tell him what I see when I’m out there. We work together and have helped bring the young guys in as well. That’s definitely my brother. We’re going to continue to compete and have fun out there.”

Bowl Game & 2022 Season Ticket Info
Tennessee will conclude its 2021 campaign with a trip to Nashville for the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. ET and tickets can be purchased by visiting the Music City Bowl’s website or by clicking HERE.

Existing season ticket holders can renew their tickets for the 2022 season now by visiting AllVols.com. Fans wishing to purchase new season tickets for the 2022 season can submit a request by clicking HERE.

Select player quotes from Tuesday’s media availability can be seen below and full videos can be found HERE.

Player Quotes

Jacob Warren – TE – R-Junior

On what areas of his game have improved the most this season…
“I think I made a big jump, just in my confidence, my abilities and the way that I’m able to play on the field. I think I did a good job mentally this year, kind of taking in all the things that (the coaching staff) asks tight ends to do. Me and (Princeton Fant) both have made big strides there, being able to recognize a signal, get lined up and kind of help other guys if somebody’s lined up in the wrong area—being a leader and being a commander out there.”

On the working dynamic between him and Princeton Fant…
“I think we both really enjoying playing with each other and playing alongside each other. I think it’s unique, the way that we operate here, because we truly split. Each series that we go in there, you’ll see one of us in there, and then the next time we’re out there, it’ll be the other one. I’m really grateful for him, because he’s been great throughout the whole thing, not trying to be selfish about any reps. If he’s out there and he scores a touchdown or something, if you watch, I’m literally the first one running down there to celebrate with him, because I know he’d do it for me. I’ve just been blessed and been lucky to have a guy like him alongside. I think that relationship is what could hopefully keep him to come play for us next year.”

On Hendon Hooker returning next season and what that means for the offense…
“Obviously, that’s huge. I think that was the biggest question mark for our team in that little period of time when he was trying to decide what he wanted to do. I had this conversation last night, actually, about how (Joe Milton III) is one of the most talented quarterbacks I think I’ve ever seen. Physically, mentally, he’s a great competitor. I’m just excited that we’re going to continue to have that depth at that position, to where we can kind of trust both guys to roll in there and play. Hendon coming back is obviously huge for this program, and for me personally, because he likes to throw the ball to me. I’m happy for that.”

Warren Burrell – DB – Junior

On what he’s learned from Alontae Taylor and how he has used that in his starting role this season…
“I was blessed to have a number of people who showed me how to go about things, especially outside of football and the game. There’s a lot of other things that go into it, especially if you want to be a pro, which is what these guys ahead of me have shown me by what they’re doing now in their process. Somebody like Alontae Taylor, he kind of showed me the ins and outs of how to conduct myself, not just during the game, but during practice and during meetings. He showed me what to look for. Even with little things, there are certain things that go into it that a lot of people—including myself—didn’t quite realize, like what it takes to be on that level. I’ve been very blessed and grateful to have those types of people here.”

On Purdue’s passing game…
“They do. They pass the ball a lot. They’re a good team. They’re a well-coached team. They make plays. For us, we go out there and play our game. We play the way we’re supposed to play. We see things on film, but we practice it. We go out there, trust our technique, trust one another and play for one another. We expect do to what we’re supposed to do.”

On how he would assess his play this season…
“For me personally, I tend to be hard on myself. There are a lot of things I feel like I could have improved on. Those are things that I’m going to continue to work on to improve. It’s just a day-by-day process. You’re not going to be perfect. You’re not going to fix all of those adjustments overnight. It’s a day-by-day process. Each day during practice, meetings and lifts, I do it to the best of my ability. The results will show, eventually, if you keep at it. I’ve been focusing on that.”

Princeton Fant – TE – R-Senior

On his relationship with fellow tight end Jacob Warren…
“That’s a brotherhood, honestly. That’s my boy. We go to war together. We work hard together every day. He’s a special guy. He’s a smart player. We just go off of each other. He tells me what he sees out there when he’s out there and I tell him what I see when I’m out there. We work together and have helped bring the young guys in as well. That’s definitely my brother. We’re going to continue to compete and have fun out there.”

On his reaction to Tennessee being selected to the TransPerfect Music City Bowl and if he has had many ticket requests for the game…
“It’s my hometown, so I’m very excited about that. I was looking at the bowls and trying to see which one we were going to. I was looking on the internet trying to find it. I’m very excited to go back to Nashville, play in my hometown and get a win. I had a lot of ticket requests. I have a lot of family that wants to come. My daughter’s actually going to be in attendance, so that’s something I’m grateful for. She gets to see her dad playing ball and doing something that he loves.”

On what he likes about how tight ends are used within Tennessee’s offense and how long it took him to become accustomed to it…
“It definitely took a while to get used to, especially with the fast-paced offense that we have. But, I love the fact that we’re getting the ball, getting touches and showing what we can do as a tight end group, instead of just blocking. Blocking is one major role that tight ends do. We’re going to perfect on that, continue to block, continue to open up plays and doors for our running backs and for our quarterbacks. The main thing that I love the most is that we’re getting touches.”