There are plenty of reasons why a prospect chooses a school. Location, player development and, of course, NIL are all a part of the deal. However, there is one aspect of recruiting that is still a constant: prospects want to play early.
That will be the next challenge for Tennessee coach Josh Heupel as he enters the upcoming season. Prospects will be watching. Sure, they want the NIL checks, but they also want to make it to the NFL. That takes playing time to develop and showcase one’s skills. It wasn’t hard for Tennessee coach Josh Heupel to showcase his most talented players when he first arrived on campus because he didn’t have that many. It wasn’t difficult to ascend to star status in 2021 – at least by the Vols’ current standards.
Tennessee linebacker coach William Inge has already been indoctrinated into the mindset that he has to get younger players on the field. If not, recruiting will suffer.
“The one thing we try to do—and this is also where recruiting comes into play—we tell guys if you’re prepared and you’re ready, you’re going to play,” Inge said. “That’s what I want to be able to do. I want to be able to play five or six guys, because if we can give everyone a role (we’ll) be fresh at the end of a football game.”
The Vols’ linebackers should also be fresh at the end of the season. Inge knows how to do that. As the defensive coordinator of Washington, his team made it all the way to the College Football National Championship game last season. The Huskies looked plenty fresh as they posted a 14-1 record. Utilizing depth, Inge said, was key.
“I just experienced that at my previous place, and that’s why we were in a position to play in the national championship game, because our guys were not worn out at the end of the season,” Inge said. “If your goal is (a national championship), you can be fresh at the end of the season if you’re playing enough guys. That’s something we want to look forward to doing on defense, is being able to have a good healthy rotation so our guys won’t get over-repped, but also know that your stars are going to get the money plays.”
The “money plays” is obviously a reference to clutch moments in the end of the game. In those cases, the Vols will definitely want middle linebacker Keenan Pili and outside linebacker Arion Carter on the field. That means they’ll need to be fresh and – if you believe Tennessee’s coaching staff – there are plenty of players to provide that depth. Some of it, however, is unproven.
Sophomore Jeremiah Telander has received the most off-season buzz with his development. Edwin Spillman and Kalib Perry should provide more depth. However, Inge has to trust the backups if Pili and Carter can’t go during the season or just need a break. Depth should help on the field. It should also help in recruiting.
