A total of 27 new faces are on the field, including 23 freshmen from a top-10 signing class and four Power Four conference transfers. They joined returning players in a 10-period helmets-and-shorts practice before going through a lifting session.
“It’s the beginning part of the journey,” said Heupel, who is 37-15 in four seasons. “I challenged those guys after practice. It’s about consistent growth. It’s about not making the same mistake twice and learning how to play the way that you have to. That starts with effort, attitude and playing tough.”
The departure of several veterans, particularly offensively, has put a strong emphasis this spring on identifying who will quickly step into roles. Four starters on the offensive line must be replaced, and the Vols brought in two transfer guards in redshirt sophomore Sam Pendleton (Notre Dame) and redshirt junior Wendell Moe Jr. (Arizona). Five-star true freshman signee David Sanders Jr. of Concord, North Carolina, is also expected to make an immediate impact along with returning starter Lance Heard at the tackles. Sanders got a brief glimpse of practices during UT’s December College Football Playoff prep.
“We have been fortunate to have Cooper (Mays) and (Javontez) Spraggins for a long time, but that’s the great thing about college football too,” Heupel said. “Your roster changes. It’s exciting to have young guys that have to grow into it, take control, battle and fight. You find out who is going to be ready to play at a championship level.
“David is a super smart kid who is very engaging, very personable. He has a great family. He cares about the guys around him. He has had great work habits since he arrived and continued to grow. He’s put on weight. He has to continue to do that and continue to grow into his frame, but he has great athleticism.”
Production must be replaced in the wide receiver room with the departure of NFL Combine participants Bru McCoy and Dont’e Thornton Jr. Chris Brazzell II returns for his junior season after catching 29 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns last fall. The Vols are also expecting major contributions from former five-star recruit Mike Matthews, who enters his second full season on campus.
“Mike’s had a really good offseason,” Heupel…
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