Tennessee safety Andre Turrentine couldn’t have planned things out much better. No only did the transfer from Ohio State become an 11-time starter at safety this season, but now the junior gets to travel to play his old team.
“I’m just excited” the Metairie, La. native said when asked about playing the Buckeyes, who he was a member of until he transferred after the 2021 season. “Excited to get back on the field and play one more time with these guys. I’m excited to play that team.
“I know a lot of guys on that team, so just having that brotherhood and camaraderie from being a freshman there is going to be big in this game and for me personally. It gives you a reason to be excited for this game.”
The Vols don’t need many more reasons to get excited to play the Buckeyes. Tennessee and Ohio State are taking part in the inaugural, 12-team College Football Playoff. It’s an elimination game. The loser’s season is done.
Ohio State has plenty of receivers to lean on, which has become the norm in Columbus in recent years. Their top trio of receivers is freshman Jeremiah Smith, senior Emeka Egbuka and sophomore Carnell Tate, who the Vols nearly landed in recruiting before he chose the Buckeyes.
“Each of them has their own unique qualities in what makes them special,” Turrentine said. “Just understanding that they like to get the ball to those guys, what situations they like to get the ball to those guys and the special things that those guys do differently is going to be a great focal point of the secondary in how we stop and attack those guys.”
Turrentine isn’t necessarily considered one of the alpha leaders of Tennessee’s football team. However, he’s old enough to know what an opportunity can mean for the Vols, and he’s savvy enough to know now is the time to lead.
”You do that as a leader,” Turrentine said. ”As a leader, I’ve been blessed to be able to lead and have those conversations with guys. You don’t make it a big conversation or create big pressure, but you tell these guys that they just need to be themselves.
“They just need to do the ordinary things at a high level as coach Heupel likes to say to us. Those guys understand that as well; they’ve shown up big for us throughout the year in being able to grow up fast in moments that they haven’t seen before being new to college and big moments. I believe all of our guys are prepared for the moment.”
That has certainly been the case. In a completely rebuilt secondary that includes Turrentine, the Vols haven’t once failed to answer the bell.
