photo by UT Sports
With 11 practices of fall camp in the books, Tennessee football highlighted its specialists and receivers during Thursday's post-practice media availability.
First-year special teams coordinator Evan Crabtree broke down his unit for local media, discussing the return game, specialist versatility and the mentality needed to succeed in the kicking game.
He stressed how special teams often serves as a developmental gateway for young players who get their first snaps on kickoff and punt coverage.
"It's vitally important to the development of somebody on this team," Crabtree explained. "You look at (
Jeremiah Telander)
Arion Carter,
Edwin Spillman, to name just a couple of guys … It's the feel of the game, it's going out there and seeing how fast it really moves, particularly at Tennessee and in this conference, getting a feel for it and making some plays. We want to put guys in those positions to where they can go out, develop, play at our standard, and become the offensive or defensive starter that they should be."
Wide receivers coach
Kelsey Pope also addressed reporters after Thursday's practice at Haslam Field. Two weeks into camp, his group is looking to fill opportunities created by the departure of three veteran receivers from last season.
When asked to compare his room to the 2024 receiving corps, Pope offered the following observations:
"The first thing that stands out is I see young guys stepping up," Pope said. "(
Mike Matthews) and
Braylon Staley, for instance. Both of those guys came into the room last year, and we had a bunch of vets. They're typically more quiet, trying to feel their way through. From the time they get to the meeting room this morning, those guys are setting the tone. They're already reminding guys about coaching points and installs, so I see those guys taking jumps.
"I think the next thing is guys see how the season ended last year. They understand that we have to be deeper. Regardless of age or how old someone is, we have to be able to be deeper, so it creates a sense of urgency for guys, even if they're not starting, to be ready at all costs. Those would be the two biggest points that I've seen from last year to now."
Full comments from Crabtree and Pope can be viewed below. The Vols wrap up the week with a closed scrimmage Friday morning in Neyland Stadium.
On the status of the return game…
"We're in a great spot. We have a lot of guys that we train, a whole stable of guys that go out there and catch every single day. From receivers to DBs, guys that have speed, can go out there and make a cut, make a play. We've got a stable of guys that we're looking at. And [Jermod McCoy and Boo Carter] are still in the mix too. We feel great about that and where they're at."
On having depth in the return group, and if there will be any rotation among the returners…
"You look a couple years back like Dee Williams, it was nice to have one guy that is consistent and you know who he is, and he's a playmaker. We have those types of guys, as we keep figuring out through camp, and we see who that guy is going to become. It would be great to have him out there from week one on, whoever it is, whoever takes that thing over. But, you do have the opportunity, with all of the guys that we've been training, to throw somebody in, and we're prepared to do that. We have those guys."
On strategy for kickoff returns…
"Statistically, there are a lot of things that don't support taking it out every single time. For us, our unit, we've got to play smart, and it depends on a lot of factors. 'How's the wind? What's the score of the game? Is it the second quarter or the fourth quarter?' Whatever it may be. We've got a lot of those factors that we go through, and we work through. But, our unit, we're putting ourselves in a position, like we're in a home run derby mentality. When our pitch comes our way, we want to swing it. We want to go and score and be 100 yards down the field the other way."
On Max Gilbert's personality and competitiveness…
"He's not as reserved as you think, he will open up every once in a while. Max has been doing great, he and Josh [Turbyville], and we've got our new guy, Grady Dangerfield. Those guys are doing great, Max is striking the ball, Josh has been striking the ball well. Often times, those guys, it's all about contact and the swing of their leg, and I know that sounds obvious, but, when they go out there, it's about the mental preparation, and that's where Max is super strong, Josh as well has played a lot of football for us too. Max goes out and approaches every kick the same way, like it's a game, and we get the results that we want. He's been fantastic, Josh is coming right along too, and our freshman as well."
On Josh Turbyville's value as a backup punter and placekicker…
"Extremely valuable. Extremely. And that's a lot of our guys, they have the same type of value, but who we want to bring into our room as a specialist is somebody that is versatile, can do a couple of different things at a high level. Josh has done nothing but improve since he's gotten here. I know he's kicked off for us, but he's on an upward trajectory, and his value is high all the time. He's really showing what he can do on a lot of different jobs."
On how in-game special teams experience can prepare a player for offensive or defensive snaps later in their career…
"It's vitally important to the development of somebody on this team. You look at [Jeremiah] Telander, Arion Carter, Edwin Spillman, to name just a couple of guys and I know that they're linebackers, but, last year those guys were some of our core guys on special teams, and really, [Carter]'s first year two years ago. It's the feel of the game, it's going out there and seeing how fast it really moves, particularly at Tennessee and in this conference, getting a feel for it, and making some plays. We want to put guys in those positions, to where they can go out, develop, play at our standard, and become the offensive or defensive starter that they should be. No one comes here just to play special teams, but guys like Will Brooks, who were consistent every single day, never questioned his effort, never questioned what he knew how to do, he knew everything. It showed. And then in the moment that it counted the most, he's out there on defense making a play."
On Jackson Ross' development and unique skillset…
"It's been great, I got here right around the same time, a little bit before, but Jackson, me and him got here the same year. It's been awesome to see him grow, kind of understand America in general, he had a lot of things he had to learn, but, just getting him adapted here at Tennessee and being away from home for a while, but he's grown into who he is and he's a fantastic player, he's got a huge skillset. He's got a bright personality as we know, but, he's a pro. He's been a pro, he did it in the AFL in Australia. Having a guy like that in the punter spot is important, because he goes out there and the moment is not too big for him, he's been on a big stage before, and then he's going into his third year. He's great to work with, his skillset is one of his biggest strengths, he can be very versatile in all of the things that he does."
On how a specialist can show mental preparedness in practice…
"If you ask our guys that got here, you ask Jackson [Ross] and Bennett [Brady], and even Max [Gilbert] will tell you, they're honest about it, they get here and after their first year and after that year has progressed, they might say, 'I don't know if I would have been fully ready to go full-time, in a game.' It's the preparation in practice that got them to the spot they're at now. So, when we're in a game, those things have been decided long before that moment. It's the look in their eyes, how they approach every rep, they know their job. It's not a hard job to mentally grasp, but the task at hand is really challenging. The elements, the crowd, the rush. We try to say, 'block all of that stuff out.' Because, if I go out and kick in front of 102,000, versus if I'm out there on the practice field and I'm kicking just by myself. The look in their eye, their preparation every single day, it gives me the confidence but really gives them the confidence to go out there and know that they can smash their opportunity."
On a sense of urgency surrounding the wide receiver room with the end of camp approaching...
"Yeah, I think there's got to be a sense of urgency. We're obviously young. I think the good thing about being young is those guys are able to get more reps and that obviously heightens their sense of urgency. That also creates an energy and gives them experience in practice that will relate to the game. So, with youth, obviously you lack experience, but those guys are making up for it by the amount of reps they're getting in practice."
On the challenges of getting a first-year player ready...
"I think the first thing we get in any first-year guy, high school or if they come from a different university, you have to get them used to speaking in your language. I think you have to get them used to seeing things from a like perspective where we can have the same dialogue and then once they get it, it's just about operating. We play really fast. A lot of things we do are really unique, so with those guys (It's about) getting themselves in the building and putting themselves in position with the daily habits on and off the field to be able to be successful."
On how this group has done with the extra stuff on a daily basis...
"I think they've done a good job. I think obviously they lack experience, but you watch this group and those guys are in the building in their free time, really all time of night. Our assistant receivers coaches and position coaches, both of those assistants are raving about the questions those guys are asking in those extra meetings. It's only going to help those guys and help the game slow down for those guys, so they've done a good job so far."
On the growth of freshmen Travis Smith Jr. and Radarious Jackson since spring…
"Absolutely. I think it's important that when you see it, you tell them, like verbally, and I think also showing them the difference on film is extremely important. I think when they can see those visuals, it adds confidence into them and you'll continue to get some of those results. But both of those guys are light years ahead in terms of how we operate. Also, just being familiar with what we're doing on offense. They look like different people than they did in spring and April."
On difference in the wide receiver room at this point from last season...
"That's a good question. The first thing that stands out is I see young guys stepping up. Mike (Matthews) and Braylon Staley, for instance. Both of those guys came into the room last year, we had a bunch of vets. They're typically more quiet, trying to feel their way through. From the time they get to the meeting room this morning, those guys are setting the tone. They're already reminding guys about coaching points and installs, so I see those guys taking jumps. I think the next thing is guys see how the season ended last year. They understand that we got to be deeper. Regardless of age or how old someone is, we got to be able to be deeper, so it creates a sense of urgency for guys, even if they're not starting, to be ready at all costs. Those would be the two biggest points that I've seen from last year to now."
On Amari Jefferson's progress and next steps needed...
"Amari's done a good job. He's in the group of guys that is always in the building. I think for him, it's just continuing to get his body in playing shape, continuing to get his conditioning to the level that he needs to. He's trending towards that. I think if he keeps doing what he's doing, he'll continue to make grounds towards that."
On if Mike Matthews can play all three receiver positions and the need for position versatility now...
"I think before you start spring ball, you have to designate, for one, what guys can handle in that capacity. And I think guys ultimately show how much they can handle in their mental capacity. Mike is one that has done that. There have been other guys in the room that we have that we've designated, you can play any spot, so you got to be ready for it. He's handled it, and I think he's handled it well because he's always willing to prove it. I think for him as a freshman, he was frustrated a lot last year. We've talked. He wanted more snaps, but he also understands that he's got to be able to handle that capacity. And what he's shown this offseason is not only the conditioning to handle it, but the maturity. When success happens, he's still got the same day one mentality and motivation that he did to prove it. And when reps don't go as well, he's not down on himself, he's not losing confidence. So, I think that maturity paired with his physical conditioning, I think he's proven to us as coaches that he can be able to handle all those spots and that's why he'll be there."
On Braylon Staley spending time in his office and studying and learning more...
"I think Braylon is awesome because as good as he is and as talented as he is, he's a really good kid and he's really curious. He's a guy that you want other guys to come into the building and try to model themselves after. I'll give you something else, Mike (Matthews) and Braylon are tied at the hip. They're best friends. They're always together and both of those guys have had a ton of growth since last December until now, and I think it's directly correlated to the time they spend in my office together and the time they spend with one another together. Extra catches, extra meetings, those guys are doing things on their own in the summer. I think anytime you got one teammate that's, you know, in your hip, and they're pushing you and they're motivated, I think that's going to make you better. I think both of those guys have benefitted from their friendship and the bond that they have."
On the importance of reminding young players they are on the right path...
"Yeah, I think you take from your own experiences. I played the position, and I remember vividly certain experiences and situations that either I had that helped me or I wish I had that I wish a coach would have done and think it would have helped me, and I think you got to add those. I also think it's important to know what you're dealing with with this generation and the type of kids they are. Some kids are triggered by different things. Some kids are motivated by different things. I think as position coaches, it's our position to study those guys and know that and then in turn you get the most out of them."
On the status of Chris Brazzell II physically and how he as a coach makes sure the young wide receivers remain confident in themselves...
"That second one was a good point. For Chris, he obviously hasn't had a ton of reps. He's got to get his body into shape. I think he's got to do that, and he took a big step in that today. He was able to kind of come along today, the furthest he's been this fall camp, but he knows he's got a ways to go in that realm to be able to play and do what we need him to do.
"Then in terms of your second question, I don't think you can really, you can't really create confidence for guys. I think you always have to talk to them about responding because as coaches, we don't know the scenario on the field that they are going to deal with, we don't know the pressure or the situation on the field. It will always be ebbs and flows. I think it's important to talk to guys about that and talk to them about when success happens, my mindset should be in this direction. If failure happens or it's not a great rep, my mindset should be in this direction. That way they got a foundation to get back too regardless of what's going on. I don't think you want to create confidence for them. Like, I don't think you want to curate it. I don't think that's real. I think to talk to them about what it's like to play in this league and how drastic momentum and ups and downs can be individually and as a unit. Again, back to my earlier point, I think if you show them game film of what that looks like from a receiver perspective and also an offensive perspective. And, I think you talk to them and give them a foundation, when this happens, it's a negative, our mindset has to be here, we got to be more positive, we got to choose to stay confident. And then, (when) we have a good play or a successful play or an explosive, it's got to be day one mentality, get back to work, get lined up fast and get back to my fundamentals and my queues. I think as long as you give them a foundation, they can self correct. I don't want to always be the one to correct them. I think if they can self correct, you ultimately get a bunch of coaches on the field, and that's what we want."
On the reasons behind his successful recruiting recently...
"I think for one, I think being authentic. I think showing those families and those student-athletes, you have to show them the real you. I think it's so easy in recruiting to just give them all the highlights and the success stories. You have to give them stories where you failed. You have to give them stories where you dealt with adversity because I think also, perfection, people can't relate to. I think once recruits and families, they see the success automatically when they come here. I think once you give them a couple of stories about when we had to deal with adversity or you weren't successful and how you battled back. I think that makes you relatable, and I think nowadays kids want more than anything in recruiting, they want to know you can develop them. They want to know you can get them better, but they also want to know that you care about them in society. You have to be relatable in order to do that, and I think that's what has helped us in recruiting."