Tennessee coach Josh Heupel wouldn’t have turned down a legendary defensive back had their been one available when he first took the job to lead the Vols’ football team. However, he wasn’t exactly looking for one – not at the time.
“If you want to be really good as a football team it starts with your defensive line,” Heupel said when asked if the Vols strategically built their defensive front with the secondary on the back burner. “Just how we got here, the circumstances that were here when we first got here, it’s taken a little time to go work the group up.
“Certainly, just the athleticism across the entire group. I really like what Coach (Tim) Banks and Coach (Rodney) Garner and Coach (Mike) Ekeler have done with that group. We still have a lot of room to grow before we’re where we need to be when we open up.”
They may have some room to grow, but they’re close on their defensive front. The Vols probably aren’t nearly that close in the secondary as Tennessee lost every starter from last season and its top eight defensive backs. However, Tennessee’s coaches have openly said they’ll be more athletic with the group they have this season. Therefore, that could eventually mean better. We’ll see.
“We knew that we had to continue to add athleticism and length, playmaking ability on the secondary,” Heupel said. ”Guys that have come in here – that’s high school guys and transfer portal guys – you can see that as soon as you walk on the practice field with those guys. A lot of growth left for them within our scheme, little details, nuances and communication, but really like where that group is headed. They’ve made plays and continue to compete at a really high level.”
When asked if he’s pleased with the defensive front, Heupel said, “I mean some of it, absolutely. Our defensive line has brought great energy and consistency every single day that we’ve been on the practice field. Veteran group especially on the interior that has kind of led the way.
