Brandon Kennedy, R-Sr., OL

On Alabama’s defense …

“The one thing I see is that they’re technically sound and they have good fundamentals. One thing about them up front is they’re physical. Dylan Moses, one of their linebackers, he’s a great, athletic player that can play from sideline to sideline. He and Christian Harris, they’re kind of like twins in the way that they play. I think they’re really good, and then the secondary on the back end, they’re really good as well.”

On how he would describe the offensive line’s performance the last few weeks …

“I would have to say it’s been a roller coaster. It’s kind of been up and down, but the thing we’ve tried to focus on this week is trying to figure out what we need to do to be successful and help this team and focus on our job and do what we can do.”

On the challenge of bouncing back from Saturday’s loss …

“I think the biggest challenge of bouncing back is that everybody being around each other, rallying around each other and coming together, because in the end, it’s all about us and that’s all we have. We have to stick together and come back so we can be successful next game.”

On where he thinks the offensive line needs to improve …

“To be honest I think we all can improve. I think we all did some things well in the game and also didn’t do some things well. That’s kind of the difference between winning and losing. We all need to be on the same page and play better in order to help this team.”

On how they plan to bounce back from losing to Kentucky …

“The main thing we did when we came in on Sunday was we had to take the game for what it was. That’s the number one thing we did. We had to see what mistakes we made and see the things we could have done better and also evaluate the things we could have done better. Because in the (Kentucky) game, there were some things that we did well, and then the things that we didn’t do well were critical errors and that’s what caused us to lose the game.”

On his message to each of the quarterbacks …

“The biggest thing that I’ve taken upon myself to do is just to provide a lot of uplifting to the quarterbacks. We all trust and believe in every one of them and we love them and I’ve let them know that throughout this whole process and throughout the game. Any one of them that’s behind me during games, I believe that they can do well and if they want to watch film with me or if they have any questions about how we do things, whether it be protection, run game, anything like that, I’m here to help.”

Cade Mays, Jr., OL

On his time of uncertainty during the pandemic …

“There was a lot of uncertainty between everybody, not just me. It was a great weight off of my shoulders when I became eligible and everything got cleared. I was happy to be able to compete with my teammates.”

On what went into his decision to come to Tennessee …

“I had a good experience at Georgia. Obviously, things didn’t work out, so I transferred here and I’m happy with where I’m at now. I’m happy to be a part of the family, taking in every day and embracing it.”

On what it’s been like to be on the same team as his brother, Cooper, again …

“It’s been an unreal experience. We got to play for a state championship in high school and won that. We got to do a lot of things growing up together. One of our dreams was to play college football together. Now that that’s a reality, it’s unreal. On my first play, I looked over and he was right next to me, so it was unbelievable to see that become a reality. Afterwards, we talked about it. We are just both ecstatic that we both get to be out on the same field at an SEC level and compete. It’s just awesome.”

On playing against his former teammates earlier this season … 

“Definitely after the game there was some funny comments. Those guys are still some of my best friends. We talk to this day. Those relationships never really change. Just being able to compete against them was just like practice. It was fun.”

On if he feels most comfortable at right tackle and how important continuity is on the offensive line …

“For my whole college experience, I’ve played all five positions on the line, so I’ve embraced being able to play all five positions. Wherever I am on the field, I try to put forth my best effort and help the guys around me. I’m not really concerned with moving around. I don’t think you necessarily need (the same) five guys all of the time on the field. Just like how the defense runs in different guys on different packages, playing different positions, I think it also confuses the defense and messed them up going against me at one spot this series and another the next. I think it’s a good change of continuity.”

On what it was like to play on the same side of the line as Trey Smith this past Saturday …

“It was awesome. It was something that we’ve talked about since my sophomore and junior years of high school. For that to come to fruition, it was awesome to look over and see him lined up next to me. I’m comfortable wherever I play. If I get more left tackles reps and get to play next to him, that will be awesome.”

On how he helped the team from a leadership standpoint …

“I took it upon myself to try and help the younger guys to come along and grow up a little bit. I help them with anything they need help with, whether it’s off the field or on the field. I’ve lived it for a couple of years, so I can definitely help them and give them some tips and pointers. One thing that the coaches stressed to me is that, ‘Even though you’re just coming in here, you’ve got to be a leader for us.’ I try to take that upon myself.”

On his response to the #FreeCadeMays movement on social media …

“I embraced it. I was very thankful that the fanbase fought for me the way they did and that my teammates fought for me the way they did. I was very thankful that they supported that.”

On how Coach Pruitt and Coach Will Friend impacted his decision to come to Tennessee …

“Coach Pruitt and Coach Friend, they were very receiving of me when I came here. I was very thankful for the relationship that I built with them when I got here. As far as the emotions, even when I went to Georgia, I still had great friends on this team and we talked all the time. Coming back and re-bonding those friendships and strengthening them it was awesome to be a part of this team.”

-UT Athletics