KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Back at Haslam Field after the first scrimmage of spring ball, the Tennessee Volunteers competed their ninth practice of the semester on Monday to kick off their third week.
At the conclusion of practice, second-year wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope, along with offensive lineman Ollie Lane, running back Dylan Sampson and offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins met with members of the media at the Anderson Training Center.
Pope has seen incredible growth and development of his unit thus far in camp. The wide receiver room is one that has built strong players into stars in both years under head coach Josh Heupel. Pope noted that that success isn’t because of a rigid system, but instead finding ways as coaches to put players in a position to succeed.
“I think offensive football is all about molding your players,” Pope said. “You talk about Velus (Jones Jr.). He was a bigger slot. He’s six feet, 210 pounds, built like a running back and the toughest guy in the world. Jalin (Hyatt) ran 10.4 in the 100 meters in high school, has long-strides and a completely different skillset. Cedric (Tillman) is 6-3, 210 pounds and is a 50-50 ball guy. He doesn’t jump like Jalin but has a big catch radius.”
All three VFLs found their groove on Rocky Top, each easily surpassing 1,000 career receiving yards while Hyatt and Tillman posted 1,000-yard seasons, displaying how well the staff does catering its offense to the guys on the field.
“As an offensive coach, you have to tailor your system to the skillset of your players,” Pope continued. “I think even more, us being able to be successful with a bunch of different body types and skillsets shows recruits it doesn’t matter what they look like, these guys can put me in a position to win and help (me) get to where (I) want to get to.”
That ability to mold and excel is also a feeling that is experienced in the running back room. Though, in that room it is a three-headed monster of guys who can punish defenses in unique ways on the ground.
“I believe this is a good thing for our running back room,” Sampson said, speaking on the depth of the tailbacks. “You don’t ever want to be short or limited on running backs. We got a healthy running back room coming into the fall and it’s going to be really dangerous. We all compliment and help each other.”
It’s a bit of a different story for the offensive line, who is quickly working to gel with some new faces. It helps that the group has highly-experienced returners in Cooper Mays and Spraggins that can help acclimate the newcomers to UT’s high-octane offense as practices roll along.
“We have to keep pushing forward every day, building our limits and stretching every day no matter what we do,” Spraggins said Monday. “If it’s getting down the field, or pass-blocking or run-blocking better, it’s an inch forward every day no matter what until the time we put our pads on and play.”
The Volunteers return to the field Wednesday morning for their 10th practice of the spring. All practices are closed to the public.
Admission to the Orange & White Game on April 15 is $5 for non-premium seats, and all proceeds will count as a contribution to the My All Campaign. All seats can be secured now at AllVols.com or by calling the UT Athletic Ticket Office at (865) 656-1200. All open sections of the bowl of Neyland Stadium will be general admission seating. Start time is 2:30 p.m.
A transcript from Monday’s press conferences can be found below.
Wide Receivers Coach Kelsey Pope
On getting both Squirrel White and Dont’e Thornton into the rotation at the slot position…
“Absolutely, you can get both of those guys at the same time. I think another thing that you have to be conscious of is having guys being able to play multiple spots because you want your best players on the field. Whether it is those two are in that group or whoever, you have to have some guys play multiple spots. It allows you to do that.”
On how White and Thornton differ…
“Body type for one. Donte’ is 6’5, 205-210 (pounds). Squirrel is 5’8, he is around 170 now. Both of those guys have the ability to run. Squirrel is more of a vertical guy. Donte’ can run, he adds a little bit more lateral, little bit more on the line of scrimmage. Both of those guys have a unique skillset that we are going to have to take advantage of this year and it will help us win.”
On Chas Nimrod and Kaleb Webb’s development…
“Bunch of growth out of those two guys, a ton of growth. I think those two guys did a good job of observing the older guys that were ahead of them last year. You can see some of that start to play out now in the way they are moving around. They are both gaining more confidence and I think as we continue to finish this spring, you will see those guys make more plays.”
On Nathan Leacock’s development…
“He has been awesome also, he’s been a guy that stands out. Physically, he is absolutely gifted, extremely gifted physically. The next biggest thing, and what he is starting to do and grow in, is more of the mental, detail, technical piece. As a wideout, I cannot be all athlete and get open in this league. There is a method to the madness. You have to be a technician, you have to be detail-oriented in your work and that allows you to create separation against some of the guys you will face in this league. He is a physical specimen, he has done a great job the last couple practices of starting to hone in on details and you see it play out on days like today.”
On Dont’e Thornton…
“I think, skillset-wise, the tape that we saw before we got him shows you his skillset. Usually, when you get transfer guys, it is trying to understand the person. Dont’e has been phenomenal because he is all football. He loves it, he is in the building all the time. He is the first one in, last one out. He’s coming here in between classes trying to get extra work. Even days when he had not practiced, per se, he is the most exciting guy on the sideline helping coach other guys up. So, I have been pleased with him all the way through.”
On Ramel Keyton’s growth this spring…
“Ramel is a savvy veteran. He is all ball and he has done a great job of taking that leadership role. He has been more of a quiet guy, just naturally, and I think he has seen himself emerge into that leadership role because he has seen a lot of football. In that room, he has seen the most ball. He has been here the most and it shows in his level of play. In situations where bullets are flying and other guys might get out of wack, Ramel is cool, calm and collected, and that allows him to make plays in those situations.”
On what he expects from his unit this season…
“I think that is to be seen. That is why you have to stay in it, part of the word ‘process’ is you never know what the end product will be. We can start hot and not have the type of work ethic we want and things go the opposite way. We could start not the way we want to and start to work and prepare the right way and get things going. I think that is always to be seen; my main focus is not really the end result or production. I just want to see these kids operate, I want to see them build habits because those are ultimately what is going to take over when bullets are flying.”
On how comfortable he is in his second year as a wide receiver coach…
“At this level you never want to feel comfortable. I think a continuous pursuit of growth is what I try to maintain. In this league alone, if you feel comfortable in an instant, you’re probably getting worse. For me it’s continuing to be aware of my players, what they need and to put pressure on myself every day.”
On molding the position to different players’ skillsets…
“I think offensive football is all about molding your players. You talk about Velus (Jones Jr.), he was a bigger slot, he’s six feet, 210 pounds, built like a running back and the toughest guy in the world. Jalin (Hyatt) ran 10.4 in the 100 meters in high school, has long-strides and a completely different skillset. Cedric (Tillman) is 6-3, 210 pounds and is a 50-50 ball guy. He doesn’t jump like Jalin but has a big catch radius. As an offensive coach, you have to tailor your system to the skillset of your players. I think even more, us being able to be successful with a bunch of different body types and skillsets shows recruits it doesn’t matter what they look like, these guys can put me in a position to win and help (me) get to where (I) want to get to.”
On Cameron Seldon’s versatility as a running back and wide receiver…
“We’re always lobbying for athletes in the wide receiver room, but ultimately want what’s best for the team. He’s doing a great job at that position (running back). Once he masters it, we can move him onto some other things. He’s done a phenomenal job of catching on and getting things to where they are.”
On running four-receiver formations…
“I think ultimately that comes down to matchups. If we feel like we have a better matchup with a tight end, we have guys that can go in and fill that void. We feel like getting four wide receivers and 10 personnel on the field, we have multiple guys in the room that can fill that void. When you’re an offensive-minded coach, it’s not about what we want to do as coaches, it’s about how we can put our players in the position to be successful. That’s going to be our method here and until the end of it.”
On Chas Nimrod’s ability…
“I think Chas has a shot to be really special. His versatility is the reason he has that shot. You can line him up on the outside and he’s smart enough to play slot. He’s nimble enough to get in the slot, make people miss and work through traffic. He’s got a big enough catch radius on the outside to hold a point and go get balls down the field. For him, he’s grown mentally. He’s starting to develop a mental-dominant trait, similar to the one Ced had where he just wants the ball in his hands. As a receiver, coming from high school to college, especially in a setting like this, that trait a lot of times has to be developed. That’s because you are playing against guys that are more physically superior. He’s got more confidence in himself, and that’s shown on the field. We’ve been pleased with him this spring.”
On the leaders in the wide receiver room…
“A bunch of guys stick out. Bru McCoy and Jack Jancek. Jancek is a phenomenal leader, mark my words, he’ll be an awesome coach, an elite coach one day. I tell our guys all the time, leadership calls you when you aren’t ready, or even when you feel like you aren’t ready. If the group needs you to step up and do something, we have to be willing and selfless enough to do that for the greater good of everybody. There’s been a bunch of guys that’s stepped up and led, but those are just a few.”
RS-Senior OL Ollie Lane
On if there is an opportunity for him to take a starting position this spring…
“I definitely believe so. Every year I’ve been here, I’ve come out with the mindset that there is an opportunity for me to take that starting job. Especially losing Jerome Carvin this season, I think it’s a big opportunity for me to step up in there. I’ve learned behind a lot of great offensive linemen in my five years, going on my sixth year being here. So, I’ve been able to carry over a lot of stuff. I think this year is a big year for me, especially this spring, to be able to start putting everything together, kind of step out as that leader and being able to take that position and solidify it.”
On how he reflects on the growth of Tennessee Football as a Tennessee native…
“Honestly, I still think it’s pretty wild. I was recruited by Butch Jones way back in the day. I played three years for Jeremy Pruitt, now seeing where we are at from where we were, it’s a night and day difference. The attitude in the complex is completely different. Everybody has a different mindset when they come in here – that it’s time to work. There’s nobody that’s wishy-washy about it, everybody has bought in and it’s a whole new mindset and culture that coach Heupel has done a really good job of, investing in and building that team chemistry with everybody. Like I said, it’s just a night and day difference from what it used to be. “
On how much better he is compared to the 2021 season…
“I would like to think that I’m a lot better from the first time that I stepped on the field. The 2021 season was the first opportunity that I got to get a large amount of reps in a game and start a couple of games. It was the first opportunity I got out there, so I kind of got a real feel of what a game is like and what it’s like to play against real guys. It’s definitely something where I’m taking that 2021 season and growing into 2022 and now 2023. Now, I know game setting, game feel and stuff like that. I’m able to build upon that with better technique, better hands and all of that good stuff to become a better athlete and offensive lineman.”
Sophomore RB Dylan Sampson
On how he’s improved after being at Tennessee for a full year…
“I would say just operating in this offense. I came in and I tried to learn as quickly as a could, but when you get real game reps, you come in with a different sense of confidence. So, now it’s time to take the next step: being solid in pass protection and just operating quickly in this offense like a veteran.”
On how his role in the running back rotation might change this season…
“I feel like with my progression, they might trust me a little more going into my sophomore year. But I believe this is a good thing for our running back room. You don’t ever want to be short or limited on running backs. Last year we were a little short, but we were all able to get through that season. Jabari Small did get banged up a few times, but we got a healthy running back room coming into the fall and it’s going to be really dangerous. We all compliment and help each other.”
On how he improves his pass protection…
“Diving in the playbook, being locked in on details and calls, all the calls, knowing where my eyes start, being physical, that’s all of the things I’ve been working on. I’ve been doing pretty good on the back half of the season and going into the spring as a whole.”
Offensive Lineman Javontez Spraggins
On the new-look offensive line…
“Of course there are missing pieces that you want to fill, but as far as the guys that are still here, you want to be the guy that gives another guy the call because he doesn’t know and he’s new. You want to make sure he’s alright through every play and it’s not a pressure thing. It’s the same feeling, but it’s the want to have that guy next to you to be able to do what the previous guy did. It’s an everyday thing, getting our toes wet.”
On how he felt like the offensive line performed in the scrimmage on Saturday…
“I wouldn’t say it was bad or the best. We have to keep pushing forward every day, building our limits and stretching every day no matter what we do. If it’s getting down the field, or pass-blocking or run-blocking better, it’s an inch forward every day no matter what until the time we put our pads on and play.”
On the successes his teammates have had and how that motivates him…
“It was motivation for me last year and the year before that. As soon as Darnell (Wright) lined up next to me, I knew that this guy is going to be here and I’m going to give my best effort. So, he can show these guys on film that this right guard is a guy too. From the moment Darnell moved from the left side to the right side, I just had that mentality. I knew he was going to work hard. I’m going to do what this guy next to me is doing. This my dog, and I’m going to try to work harder than him. That guy and Jerome (Carvin) are some dudes. Everyday consistency and pride in being an offensive lineman, taking the little things serious and showing the guys behind that this is the way to go.”
-UT Athletics
