KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Continuing to build up to next Friday’s clash with Clemson, bowl practice continued for the sixth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers Tuesday morning at Haslam Field.

The Vols certainly have a lot left to prove and a lot to play for. Every game is an opportunity to get better and playing on such a big stage in a historic game and venue, it means something to the members of the team, to the community of Knoxville and to Vol Nation who has stood by their side through every snap along the journey.

Redshirt-sophomore defensive lineman Bryson Eason commended the team for the commitment and intensity the Vols are showing in getting geared up for the Tigers when he took the podium after practice Tuesday.

“The way we prepare and how we go about the practice to prepare to play this game,” Eason said on the goals of bowl practice. “I feel like everybody is dialed in and focusing and we’re ready to have a big game and show the world what it is. We are blessed to be in this opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six bowl. I feel like a lot of the guys are excited and ready.”
 
The game is a sign of growth for the team. A sign of ascension. That feeling is felt and has created a drive to perform at the highest level for the players.
 
“It just says that we’re moving in the right direction moving forward for the years to come and the guys that coming in behind us,” Eason said on the opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six bowl. “Just trying to strive and move forward and be one of the best teams in the country moving forward. Just blessed to be there, like I said.”

That focus and intensity to practice is also something that prepares the team for more than just the one game, but the years ahead. The NCAA allows teams who are invited to participate in a bowl game added practices that are not afforded to those who don’t qualify for postseason play. This gives not only the major contributors on the team time to refine their skills, but the practices are a chance for young players to show their talent and get reps on the field that can pay off down the road as they have a furthered level of coaching.

Tamarion McDonald has seen that pay off big time for the Big Orange.

“The time we have in between our last game of the season that leads up to the bowl game, they say treat it like spring or like fall camp,” McDonald said at the podium Tuesday. “Get better at all the things we didn’t do so well that year. Just touching up on everything.”

“This time is huge, there’s no school so it’s all football,” McDonald continued. “You are just locked in strictly on football. After practice, you don’t have to rush and get to class. There is just a lot of time to work on whatever you really need to work on.”

The Vols return to the practice field tomorrow morning to continue their preparations for No. 7 Clemson as well as build on their individual growth in the added practice sessions. For full comments from Eason, McDonald, defensive coordinator Tim Banks and safety Wesley Walker see the transcripts below.

Tennessee Football Press Conference | Dec. 20, 2022 
 
Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks 

On Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik… 
“Just like most of their team, he’s really talented—strong arm, strong release. He’s played some reps. Obviously not the lion’s share the other kid (DJ Uiagalelei) did outside of the North Carolina game. He’s an athlete. We went back and watched his high school film. He’s a tremendous athlete, strong arm. He’s talented. I can see why he’s there and see why those guys are so high on him. We’ll have our hands full, but we’ve obviously played a ton of talented quarterbacks in this league, and he’s just the next guy up.” 
 
On if there is a schematic difference with Cade Klubnik starting at quarterback for Clemson… 
“From that perspective, the sample size is small. When he was in there, whether it was the North Carolina game or some of the other games he got in late, it’s very similar particularly in the throw game and what they’ve asked him to do. He’s connected on a bunch of deep balls. They will run him. You just don’t know, but I think he’s capable of doing the same thing that (Uiagalelei) did. It’s just a matter of if they decide to use him that way.” 
 
On Clemson running back Will Shipley… 
“I think he’s a really good player. He’s obviously young. Everyone that we’ve talked to that’s faced those guys already, they say that he’s better than advertised. You get in the game, he’s tough to tackle, has good vision, good balance and body control. Then you see it. He’s broke off a bunch of big runs against just about everybody he’s played. He’s definitely got our attention. We understand for us to be successful, we’ll have to do a really good job trying to contain him.” 
 
On Will Shipley’s pass catching abilities… 
“He’s got really good hands. He’s a good athlete. Sometimes with the running backs, particularly the young guys, they’re kind of a one trick pony. They can run the ball but not very good in protection or not very good on the perimeter when they’re asked to catch the ball. He does both extremely well. He’s shown that he’s a tough guy that will block you on some pressures, and he’s obviously shown the ability to catch the ball on the perimeter and make guys miss. He’s definitely a really good athlete, and once again, you realize why he’s there.” 
 
On his evaluation of the overall defensive performance of the team during the regular season… 
“It’s hard to say exactly what it is. We kind of live from game to game. We obviously finished on a high note. We probably played some of the best football we played in the last game (at Vanderbilt). We understand there’s always work to be done. I’m proud of the guys, just the way they’ve competed with all the moving parts we’ve had on the back end. Just the way those guys constantly came in with a next-man-up mentality. Hopefully we can finish this season on a good note. There’s definitely some work to be done, but we’ll address that at the end of the season.” 
 
On the development of younger player on the defense, such as Elijah Herring and Kalib Perry… 
“I think those guys have come miles. One of the things we are very conscious of is trying to get guys opportunities, particularly on special teams. I think if you talked to Coach Ekeler, he would say those guys were a part of our core on special teams and did a tremendous job, which breeds confidence. I think they’re close, I really do. If you asked me this six or seven weeks ago, I wouldn’t have been able to say that. I like the direction they’re headed in. Both are tremendous athletes. Both guys want to be great, and they’re working at a pace that’s going to put them in line to be able to contribute, and contribute at a high level.” 
 
On influence bowl practices have in evaluating players… 
“I think every opportunity is evaluated, and every opportunity is a chance to get better. Obviously, having a chance to go through bowl prep gives you a chance to invest and build some of that compound interest. I don’t know necessarily if it would change our minds, but it could reinforce that this kid is headed in the right direction based on the number of snaps that he’s gotten and how much better he’s gotten. Football is no different than life. The more you do some things, the better you get at it or the worse you get at it. If you practice the right way and you do things the right way, you’ll typically like the results. We have a lot of young guys on our defense that are really working hard and putting themselves in a position to be able to contribute. I think that’s a good thing to be happy about for the University of Tennessee.” 
 
On the health of the defense… 
“I think as healthy as you can be at this time of the year. We’ve really been conscious to try to, at some positions, play as many guys as we can, particularly up front. I think that has bode well for us. We’ve been able to, for the most part, get those guys through. On the back end, just kind of out of necessity because of what transpired over the course of the year, we’ve played a ton of guys. I think guys are starting to get a little bit healthier. I think if you polled the country, this is a tough sport played by tough people. You have to find a way to fight through it to give yourself a chance to finish the season, and we’re no different.” 
 
On Jeremy Banks being considered the emotional leader of the defense… 
“Jeremy (Banks) is obviously a talented player. I don’t think I could stand here and say that one guy is the difference between winning and losing. I will tell you, obviously he’s done a lot of good things for this university in terms of his play on the field, and we love it when he’s out there. As I’ve said since the beginning, it’s a next-man-up mentality, and the standard is the standard. We expect to be successful regardless of who’s in the game.” 
 
On what Jourdan Thomas has shown on the defensive side of the ball… 
“Jourdan (Thomas) is a kid who’s very focused and driven. He’s a guy that understands how important practice is, and you see it in his play. He had a tremendous season in terms of his play on special teams. Like I said, that just breeds confidence. Is he exactly ready to go right this second? No, but I love where he is. I love the direction that he’s headed. I think he’ll be a guy that you guys are going to be happy to see this time next year, based on his body of work to this point.” 

On if he enjoys having the long break between games… 
“Ask me that after the game. That’s probably a better answer. You just want to play football when you can. I’ve played in a ton of bowl games; the right time is obviously when you win it. We obviously are working our tails off to put ourselves in the best position to win it. Having time to heal sometimes is a plus. For us, I would say for this season and this particular team, I’m glad we have a chance to try and heal up some guys, get some guys a chance to get fresh and give us the opportunity to get ready for a really talented Clemson team.” 

Junior Defensive Back Tamarion McDonald

On how bowl practices influence next season…
“The time we have in between our last game our season that leads up to the bowl game, they say treat it like spring or like fall camp. Get better at all the things we didn’t do so well that year. Just touching up on everything.”
 
On the advantages on bowl practices…
“This time is huge, there’s no school so it’s all football. You are just locked in strictly on football. After practice, you don’t have to rush and get to class. There is just a lot of time to work on whatever you really need to work on.”

On how defense has improved this season…
“I say we improved in knowing situations a lot. Just knowing where the sticks are at, where the go-to guys are on the (other) team, we did a better job at that.”
 
On if long break before bowl is helpful for the team…
“Kind of both. You want a little physical break of course but you still want to get better, that’s how we looked at it. It’s pretty much like spring practice, it’s a long time. We look at it as those 15 practices we have in the spring, so we treat it as such. Every day you write down what you want to get better at and focus on that for that day.”

Redshirt-Sophomore Defensive Lineman Bryson Eason

On if there is commitment from team headed into the Orange Bowl…
“Yes, I do. The way we prepare and how we go about the practice to prepare to play this game. I feel like everybody is dialed in and focusing and we’re ready to have a big game and show the world what it is. We are blessed to be in this opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six bowl. I feel like a lot of the guys are excited and ready.”
 
On what being in a New Year’s Six bowl says about the program…
“It just says that we’re moving in the right direction moving forward for the years to come and the guys that coming in behind us. Just trying to strive and move forward and be one of the best teams in the country moving forward. Just blessed to be there, like I said.”
 
On how much he’s grown in the past year and how much more he can grow…
“I just want to keep my mobility, get a lot stronger. Really just lock into the small little details that can take my game to the next level, like I said with my footwork and my hands. Those are two things that I’m really trying to dial in and just trying to be a baller and have that mindset that nobody can mess with me, nobody can mess with our unit, our d-line unit, as well. Just strive to get better. There is always room for improvement, whether you guys feel like I’m the best of if I’m at the bottom. I just want to get better in every aspect of this game, mentally as well.”

Redshirt Junior Defensive Back Wesley Walker

On the team’s preparation so far for the bowl game…
“I feel like we took some good time to rest and get our bodies back right while still getting some work in while we rest. I feel like we are wrapping it up at the perfect time. I like the schedule we’re doing. We’re just diving into film really getting as much film as we can on them and getting as much knowledge on their scheme as we can while we get ready to go out there and compete.”
 
On Clemson…
“They’re a really disciplined and savvy team. I have a good idea on the way they run their plays. They have ideas that they have on offense. I’m just going to go back and watch our old games when I was at Georgia Tech and remember what was going through my head as I was playing in the game. I would say that I have a good feel for what they’re going to do and what they’re going to try and do.”
 
On why he chose Tennessee…
“You’re coming to play in the SEC, you’re coming to play against the best of the best. Your dreams and aspirations to play in the next level, this is the level right before the next level. That’s another reason why I wanted to come here. The logo you play for, you have the best fanbase in the nation. Also, the access to the resources we have like the facilities, trainers and nutrition that’s put here for you to be successful.”

-UT Athletics