Tennessee football tight end coach Alec Abeln said he slept a little easier at night when Jacob Warren told him he was returning. Warren is like a second coach in the tight ends room.
Freshman Ethan Davis has grown close to Warren since arriving at Tennessee. The two have known each other since Davis was in high school, and now they’re preparing for the 2023 season together.
“Since the day he got on campus, has been extremely open, vulnerable, ready to listen, ready to learn,” Warren said on The Vol Report. “Has never questioned me as a leader. He’s never questioned our young tight ends coach as a leader. Just bought in to what it is that he’s preaching, that he’s saying and understands that we have his best interests (in mind). And I think that that’s led to him making a lot of strides as far as how he plays the game.
“He’s extremely fast, extremely athletic, really good on the perimeter. But he trusts himself a lot, too. And he really just goes out there and kind of lets it loose. And obviously, that’s going to lead to him being able to see the field earlier than a lot of people think or even maybe he thought.”
Davis’ athleticism and size shows why he ended up in the SEC. Davis stands at 6-foot-5 and 232 pounds. He fills out his 6-5 frame.
Warren praises Davis for his maturity in front of the media as well, something freshmen don’t usually grasp early in their careers. The freshman used his time in front of the media to praise Warren as a leader, and a a role-model.
“I’ve known Jacob since junior year when I committed,” Davis said. “Just being able to know Jacob, you want to be Jacob Warren, you want your son to be Jacob Warren. I really look up to Jacob like a big brother and really like a proud thing. A great role model.”
Warren has no doubt that Davis will see the field this season. The talented freshman stood out in spring practice before breaking his collarbone in the Orange and White Game. He is now back, and says he is feeling stronger than when he left injured.
He is also getting more comfortable in the offense, which is a trend for players this season. As they get more comfortable in the playbook, they can think less and play more. Davis learning the plays is important.
Warren and transfer tight end McCallan Castles will both be out of eligibility after this season. That leaves Davis with a big hole to fill next season. It also opens up the opportunity for him to lead.
Warren wants to make sure he leaves Davis ready to lead.
“I’m trying to leave this place a little bit better than I found it,” Warren said. “So being able to pour into a guy that has so much eligibility left that will be, hopefully will become, I don’t want to say it right, but hopefully will become where I’m at now. Like the guy that’s older that can pour into the younger guys. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
