First-year linebackers coach William Inge met with the media after Saturday’s practice at Haslam Field and took questions on what he looks for in linebackers, has learned about his position group and how versatile the group has been through three practices of preseason camp.
“We do have different types of personalities and styles,” Inge said. “But the biggest thing you have to do is you have to be fast. You have to be fast, you have to be athletic, and you have to be big.
“Probably one of the biggest things is that they love to work. Their element of preparation I would say is beyond their years right now. To see the things that they do when no one is watching or when you’re not around. They are what you would call your junkies in the building.”
A deep position room with a mix of veteran players and talented underclassmen, Inge stressed the importance of adaptability as the group progresses through the season.
“The thing you do is you have to be able to play or understand what both positions do, just because offenses can motion or shift to trade and get you in some jams if you don’t understand the concepts. We’d like to have someone who is a true Mike linebacker and someone who is a Will linebacker, but they have to know both elements just because offenses can get you pigeonholed.”
Full comments from Inge’s Saturday press conference can be viewed below, along with select quotes from linebackers Arion Carter, Kalib Perry, Jalen Smith and Edwin Spillman.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Aug. 3, 2024
On what he’s seen out of Keenan Pili and Arion Carter in fall camp…
“We’ve been seeing some really good growth from them to where we say the injuries and things like that are kind of in the rearview mirror now. From a growth standpoint, just seeing them continue to take the next step to being able to be better, to being able to be elite and to be what we call the trendsetters of linebacker play on our team, our organization and in the country.”
On what Arion Carter can show now since he was limited in the spring due to injury…
“In the spring, you couldn’t see the elements of contact, because he was limited to that. There were some times in the spring that I didn’t know there was a problem, seeing him move and do things like that. He just couldn’t have any contact. I knew from the…
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