KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The seventh-ranked Vols are in full preparation mode ahead of their College Football Playoff first-round matchup with No. 6 Ohio State, set for this Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET in Columbus, Ohio.
As the Vols gear up for their postseason appearance, veteran offensive linemen Cooper Mays and Andrej Karic spoke with the media about the significance of playing meaningful football in December and the growth of the offensive line over the course of the season.
“For me, it means that we’ve done our job and brought this program back to where it needs to be,” Mays said. “We’re right here in the thick of things, going into December and the playoff, and that’s really all you can ask for at this point in the season.”
Karic echoed Mays’ sentiment and reflected on the progress made by the offensive line.
“I do feel like we all have grown confident,” Karic said. “We’ve had some first-year players, and guys like me coming back from injury a little bit earlier in the season. But once you get through the flow of things, I think we’ve all gotten a lot better.”
Senior OL Cooper Mays
On being named a Rimington Trophy finalist…
“I was super happy. Just kind of getting a little bit of respect for what I have done this year, and probably what I have put together for the last few years. I’m just happy people are taking notice of it, like anybody would be.”
On what it means to him to play meaningful football in December for Tennessee…
“To me it means that we have done our job, and we have this place back to where it needs to be and where it’s supposed to be. We are right here in the thick of things going into December and going into the playoff, and that’s kind of all you can ask for at this point in the season.”
On his perspective of the journey this program has taken during the Josh Heupel era…
“It’s hard to really encapsulate everything that’s gone on over these last few years. I wasn’t a guy that was recruited (by Coach Heupel). I got a different path into playing for these guys, but staying here and seeing how everything has unfolded, how this staff treats their players and handles their players. It plays into the on-field side of it too. Really remarkable what’s been going on over here in the last few years.”
Senior OL Andrej Karic
On what makes Cooper Mays an elite center…
“I would say that I have a different kind of view because I play next to him. We’re always out there working together. He’s making me right, and in some ways I can make him right. Just seeing how he navigates, carries himself and pushes the team. He leads our tempo. He does a great job making ID’s (identifications). Whenever we are in our combinations, I can always trust that he’s going to do his job and it will make us successful in the end.”
On how much better the offensive line as gotten as the year has gone…
“I think as the year goes on, we get better. Just seeing defenses and how they want to play us, just seeing what we’re going to see, and kind of be able to react faster when you know what to expect. When you go out there and play a little timid at the beginning of the year and you’re trying to figure it out, once you feel it out and you get through it, it lets you play a lot faster, which in result will let you play a lot better. I do feel like we all have grown confident. We’ve had some first year players and guys like me coming back from injury a little bit earlier in the season. But, once you get through the flow of things, I think we’ve all gotten a lot better.”
On his decision to come play at Tennessee…
“I think it was a great move. I don’t regret anything and I’m blessed to be here and in the position that I’m in today. When you hit the portal, you never know where you’re going to end up, but just to end up at a place like Tennessee is such a blessing. I don’t take that for granted and I’m very happy with my choice.”
