Tennessee with abundance of talented Vol receivers

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It must be nice to be Kelsey Pope. The Tennessee receivers coach has more than his fair share of talented players to coach up during preseason camp.

“I think it’s a huge testament to what we’re doing in recruiting and what the personnel department is doing to bring talent in here,” Pope said, referring to the Vols’ depth at receiver. “It’s also affecting our room in a positive way. Guys are competitive on and off the field and it’s helped us grow, helped those guys individually grow a lot so far in camp.”

The Vols will hold a scrimmage on Friday and it is clear that playing time is up for grabs. Pope is looking for more than just pass catchers.

“I want to see those guys compete in every facet,” Pope explained. “I want to see them compete in the run game, get nasty and block their butts off. Obviously, when we have the ability to go make plays down the field, I want to see us do that.

“I think a lot of times, we think about those plays down field as a wideout, but the things that makes receivers good are those details on third down and being able to move those chains. It’s being able to play a game within a game and understand how to influence my opponent in the run game as well as in the pass game or help myself with my split. So, those little things are the things I want to see us compete in, not just the big plays when the ball is in the air. I want to see us compete in those small facets that kind of make up the game.”

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The question that Pope must answer in the coming days is just how and when he’ll utilize his receivers. Versatility could be key.

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“All of our guys play multiple spots,” Pope said. “On a given day they might be in one spot, but each one of our guys has to play multiple positions. You have to have some position flexibility. So, there are times where Bru (McCoy) has to go to slot, or Mike (Matthews) has to go to slot. 

“They have to know each position. I think the depth has forced those guys to put more on themselves to learn different positions to add value and get on the field – however that may be. Even if on a given day if you see Squirrel (White), Chas (Nimrod) or Mike (Matthews) at a spot, those guys can go play anywhere in our system.”

Tennessee’s leader in the receiver room is undoubtedly Bru McCoy. After returning from a hideous leg injury last season, he’s fully recovered and has assumed the alpha role among the Vols’ receivers. 

“It’s awesome,” Pope said of McCoy’s leadership. “It challenges me because I think kids like that you can take for granted as a coach and just assume a lot because they’re always in the right place and they’re always doing extra. So, for me, as a coach it challenges me in how can I do things that are maybe out of the box or unorthodox or put him in situations where he’s uncomfortable so he can continue to grow. 

“I do think when young guys see me coach him and challenge him, those guys realize that everyone is getting coached the same way. Everyone is getting challenged and there’s a respect in that room that everybody has to compete to earn their place and create their own value.”

Value? Pope’s receivers certainly have plenty of that.

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