In six years as a head coach, Josh Heupel’s most productive receiver at tight end was McCallan Castles for Tennessee Football last year. Castles caught just 22 passes for 283 yards and five touchdowns. That’s not to say tight end hasn’t been a part of the Heupel offense in the past, though.
As offensive coordinator of the Missouri Tigers, Heupel coached Albert Okwuegbunam, who had 29 catches for 415 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017 as an All-SEC freshman. If you count running plays, Princeton Fant did have 258 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns in 2022.
However, it takes a special type of weapon for a tight end in Heupel’s system to rack up lots of yards and touchdowns. Tennessee Football may have found that weapon in Ethan Davis, and Heupel low-key admitted as much during the Vols’ media session to kick off fall camp.
Despite being asked about the tight end unit in general, which has to replace Castles and Jacob Warren, Heupel went straight to talking about Davis.
“A young face in Ethan Davis is a guy who missed his senior year because of injury and then came in and got nicked up, so there wasn’t a lot of physical development with him before last fall,” Heupel said. “(He is) a dramatically different player (and) body right now than what you guys have seen.”
Having committed to the Vols as a four-star in 2023, Davis was a two-sport athlete considered to have rare physical gifts. The question was whether or not the 6’5″ 246-pound redshirt freshman could refine his skills. Heupel discussing his dramatic transition hints he did just that.
Remember, Heupel is one of the cagiest people in the coaching profession. He doesn’t like to reveal anything. To volunteer information on Davis and Davis only when asked about the tight end room is a big deal and an accidental slip that he believes heavily in the guy.
Joey Halzle took a different approach, naming Davis, Notre Dame Fighting Irish transfer Holden Staes and Alabama Crimson Tide transfer Miles Kitselman altogether. He only specifically touted the transfers.
“I’m really excited for this fall camp,” Halzle said. “Holden and Miles had a great spring, but they had only been here for two months. I’m looking for them to make that jump to an even higher understanding, where they can even cut it loose to a higher degree.”
That’s nowhere near as revealing, though, as what Heupel said about Davis. Halzle just seemed like he was trying to tout the unit specifically and let out those two names. Heupel’s comments validate the potential we all knew was there with Davis.
Despite being loaded at wide receiver, the Vols have questions at running back, and with a generational quarterback, they could end up airing it out a lot more. Doing that and keeping Heupel’s offense going the way it needs to could result in lots of tight end targets.
As a result, it’s a safe bet Tennessee Football needs a weapon there. Heupel always utilizes one blocking and one receiving tight end, and he often alternates them on each drive. Davis could end up being the receiving tight end, and don’t be surprised if he becomes wildly productive. TE coach Alec Abeln could have his hands full.
