Tennessee coach Josh Heupel often talks about culture within his program. It’s the steps that he takes to grow good vibes in that are so impressive.
Take for instance, Will Brooks, who was one of the Vols’ starting safeties on Saturday in the Vols’ season-opening, 69-3 win over Chattanooga. Brooks came to Tennessee as a walk-on, invited by former Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt. At 6-foot-1 and 178 pounds, Brooks didn’t have many scholarship offers, which meant none from a school that would be considered a football powerhouse. He received an opportunity at Tennessee because of Pruitt, who knows Brooks’ home well.
Brooks is from Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham, Ala., where he accumulated no stars from college football analysts. Pruitt coached at nearby Hoover (Ala.) High School and later was an assistant at Alabama in charge of recruiting the area. Therefore, evaluating players, including those that might be underrated, was easy for Pruitt, who struggled at most everything else while he was a Vol. Enough of Pruitt, let’s get back to Brooks.
Brooks didn’t play in 2020, but played in all 13 games in 2021, mostly at cornerback and special teams. Then, Brooks became a special teams standout in 2022. In 2023, Brooks saw action in 10 games as the roster around him improved. Now, Brooks is a starter – or at least he was, which leads us back to the culture that Heupel is so proud of. There is always pressure to get a more talented, younger player on the field in close personnel battles. Heupel didn’t bend to that pressure, although we’ll see if Brooks is the guy.
I’m not suggesting Brooks isn’t one of Tennessee’s best safeties. After all, he’s played most every position in the Vols’ secondary so I’m sure he’s a step quicker to react thanks to his mental grasp of the game. Therefore, starting Brooks against Chattanooga in Neyland Stadium was a no-brainer for Heupel, even if Brooks isn’t a starter moving forward. We’ll see if Brooks starts on Saturday against N.C. State. Junior Christian Charles was listed as a co-starter in the Vols’ depth chart, which was released on Monday. That’s when Brooks was asked about starting on Saturday.
“It was a great experience,” said Brooks, who is now 6-1 and 206 pounds. “The atmosphere was incredible. It was super exciting to be able to get out there, start the game and get the season started off fast which was really nice.”
There will come a time, if it’s not here already, that stories like Brooks’ tale will be a long lost thing of the past. The NCAA will likely raise the scholarship limit from 85 players to 105 and eliminate walk-ons. Moreover, Heupel’s roster is getting more talented at Tennessee every year. That means it will be more difficult for those with limited skills (No offense, Will) to get on the field. We’ll see how that all shakes out. However, Heupel should be commended for handling this situation perfectly.
Heupel rewarded a player for years of service, didn’t feel as if he had to play a more talented player because of fan or internal pressure and, once again, bolstered his positive culture that just may be the most underrated aspect of Heupel’s time at Tennessee.
5 Responses
Well, offense should and will be taken, not only by Will Brooks, but by all who have watched this kid play for the last several years. To even use the words “limited skill” in the same sentence as Will Brooks is highly offensive. Maybe the former coach could spot kids that were overlooked. Remember that many of these kids were not seen due to all the ridiculous Covid rules. Some did not stand a chance of getting their names out to coaches. Unlike reporters and podcast personalities, Tennessee fans should be proud that their coaches look past ratings, stars and other ranking systems of players who have never stepped foot on a college field. They seem to be adept at finding talent in their own locker room regardless of high school rankings. Maybe Will Brooks should he held up as an example for other athletes. He has kept his head down, worked his tail off and apparently led this team by example. Personally, I will make my judgement watching him on the field rather than reading your biased, uncomplementary comments. Go # 35. Keep it up for Vol Nation. Give us another game with the most tackles!!!!
A quality young man earns a starting spot, plays well in his first starting game, leads the team in tackles for the game, and that isn’t enough for you? Offense taken by the undertone of your comments.
These players are teens and in early 20s. Maturing men. Let them have a moment of appreciation without any of your type of backhanded praise about doing well but without stars and enough talent.
I’ve sat in those stands and heard idiots like you yelling at these players and cringing knowing their parents were in the stands hearing reckless comments about their child.
The coaches put Brooksie in the starting role and he did well. Yeah for a kid who persevered because of his pure love of football. End of story.
That “limited skill” walk-on just took a pick-six 85 yards.
Will Brooks was truly excellent against Alabama tonight. He should be making NIL $. And if he isn’t on scholarship… shame on UT.
This aged like milk. I don’t know if you love to see it as a journalist. But you gotta love to see it as a Vols fan