It’s no secret that Tennessee needs some help on defense. That’s why the Vols were more than willing to take on all comers (that could play) in the 2022 class. Here are what some of the new, defensive Vols had to say after Tennessee’s first practice on Monday.
Freshman DB Jourdan Thomas
On emotions the first practice brought…
“Last night, I was pumped. My motivation has not changed throughout the whole time I’ve been here. I’ve been locked in ever since I’ve been here. That’s going to continue. I just want to get better every day. That is my mindset right now.”
On his strengths…
“I feel like I’m a complete player right now, but I’m building on that. I still have strides to go. I’m smart, I can line people up, my IQ is there, the physical part is there, and I can run and cover. I’m a do-it-all defensive back.”
On his position versatility…
“At Tennessee, these coaches only recruit DB’s, and that stands for defensive backs. We don’t recruit safeties or corners. You have to be versatile, and they go after versatile players. They expect me to play all over the field here.”
Freshman LB Kalib Perry
On his transition from high school to college football and the biggest adjustment for him so far…
“It’s been really fun. The way they lay it out, they allow you just to be able to come in, be able to meet everybody and be able to have fun while doing it. It is a job but it’s something that you love, and they make it where it’s fun and you’re learning a lot. The hardest adjustment I would say for me would be just the speed of the game and being able to pick up different keys because there’s so much happening at once. You just can’t catch yourself ball watching.”
On his goals for this season…
“Just to be able to learn the speed of the game. It’s SEC football, it’s college football, so just being able to get used to the game speed and be able to improve overall – in the classroom, on the field, with the coaches and all that and just be able to be in that position to be ready whenever they need me.”
On going from being the No. 1 guy in high school to the back of the line as a true freshman…
“I think it’s a really good humbling experience because you get to learn from those who’ve been through it. You can go up still and make mistakes and I think that kind of just shows where you’re at mentally. If you’re not focused completely, you’re going to go up there and make a mistake even though you’ve had four guys go before you. I think it’s just going to be good and it’s going to allow me to learn more, be able to see those ahead of me who’ve been through it and had the experience.”
On how he would describe the culture within the program…
“I would say the culture here is just holding yourself to a higher standard and being more than just a football player. Translating who you are as a person on the field and off the field and being able to be accountable and be respectful. You can be a great football player but if you just have a terrible attitude, what’s the point? No one is going want to coach you. No one is going to want to be around you. Coach Heupel has definitely done a great job. He’s bringing in guys who just have great culture (and) great character. Everyone is so welcoming, everyone is willing to help. It’s great to just be able to walk in every day and have the opportunity to be here.”
Freshman LB Elijah Herring
On the speed of the game slowing down after going through spring ball…
“Just a little bit, yeah. The game is always going to be fast, but some things have slowed down to me.”
On how enrolling early helped for his first day of fall camp…
“It’s a blessing that I was able to come here early. Just being able to pick things up earlier (has helped me) help the other guys with stuff that I had trouble with when I got here. I’m blessed to be here and to be able to practice before (fall camp).”
On the complexity of the defense…
“It is a little bit more complex than I thought it would be. You have a lot more responsibilities in each play and you have more keys that you have to read than (in high school).”
Freshman DL Joshua Josephs
On locking into one position…
“Back in high school, I played around the field. I guess my main position was coming off that edge. It hasn’t been that big of a challenge to really lock into one spot. It’s been easier because it’s my job right here.”
On watching and learning from Byron Young…
“Him alone, he’s like a big brother to me. He really looks after me, he teaches me a lot and I learn a lot from him. He just keeps me on my stuff, makes sure I don’t backtrack or anything.”
On relationship with fellow freshman James Pearce Jr. …
“He’s honestly one of the closest people I’m with on the team. He’s like a brother. He’s really cool. It’s really just competition and making each other better. Over these past couple of weeks we’ve just been working, getting extra work in and all that.”
