KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee football will begin fall camp on Wednesday and the team is excited to carry on the momentum they feel like they built during spring and summer camp.
"It's time to go play ball," head coach Josh Heupel said at Tennessee football media day on Tuesday
Heupel stressed the need to grow a lot this time of the year though as the season rapidly approaches. He feels up to this point the Vols have grown mentally and physically
He stresses that his players will need to come in and "win every rep" and not make the same mistake twice on a consistent basis. He also said there will be no shortcuts.
Heupel said this team is connected and wants to be consistent.
The head coach feels proud the program has grown to where it is from when he first became head coach in 2021, still under NCAA investigation from the previous coaching staff's recruiting violations.
He said as they're in a race to still get where they want to be, which is winning championships, they continue not to set a ceiling of what they can accomplish.
"With all the things we have navigated and had to get through I'm really proud of what we have done," he said.
The Vols' continued growth will rely on quarterback Nico Iamaleava who will be the starter as a redshirt freshman. He shined in the Citrus Bowl going 12 of 19 passing for 151 yards and then also scored on three rushing touchdowns. He was named Most Valuable Player of the bowl game.
Heupel said Iamaleava's humbleness has really helped with people buying into him in the locker room.
"It has as been a big part of how the players have responded to him," he said. "How he works, how he competes, his consistency of who he is in the building every day is a big part of the trust and belief they have in him."
Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle is excited for what's in store for Iamaleava, In his freshman season they wanted to give him information without burdening of him not playing fast. They felt he handled it, picked it up quick and they believe he is ready to learn it all in great detail now.
"Getting to take in this whole offseason and the intricacies and understanding why we are calling certain things in certain situations, why we are doing things a certain way, why we are switching our protection, he is blossoming in that," Halzle said. "I think we are going to see his play go to an even higher level which is a scary thing to think about. His natural ability to step on a football field and go play well is elite. Now he has to go do it with live bullets for 17 straight games next year but we are really excited about where he is at mentally in this process."
Dylan Sampson will take over as the top option at running back after Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small are no longer with the Vols. He is coming off a season where he rushed for 604 yards and seven touchdowns. UT expects him to really take off this year.
"Dylan Sampson has understood his role change this year," Halzle said. "He understands as the first guy on the field. He put on a bunch of weight in a good way because he knows the hits he is going to take."
Many fans remember the sad ending to wide receiver Bru McCoy's season last year. He had a right ankle fracture dislocation against South Carolina. He has been on a speedy recovery path.
"It's absolutely insane what that kid did this offseason," Halzle said. "That ankle injury, we all saw it. The fact that kid is out there full speed making cuts, making catches, didn't gain any weight and still looks like a superhero when he walks out here, it's like this guy is absolutely insane the way he went through that. It was like what's my job? What am I supposed to do when I can't run right now? He did that. The training staff said, 'Hey Bru, we have to pull you back a little bit.' He is pushing it over and over and over to try and get there as quickly as possible. He's just an absolute animal in every aspect of whether it is strength training, conditioning, his rehab, his football knowledge. He attacks it all the same way, which is why he has made this comeback so quickly. I don't know if anyone thought he was going to be able to. but it's special to watch."
On the defensive side of the ball, defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. is projected by many to be a top-five NFL Draft pick next year.
In his sophomore season, the Vols' best player had 28 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. He also forced two fumbles.
"James made great strides from his freshman to sophomore year and I expect him to make bigger strides this year," defensive coordinator Tim Banks said. " James has the ability to win the 1 on 1s and that gives us great confidence as a staff. The sky is the limit for him."
There are many returning players the Vols hope to make an impact, but they are also excited for the new players both transfers and freshmen. He feels the culture set of what it means to be a Tennessee Vol has set the tone and helped in recruiting the right guys.
"This is the most mature group of newcomers and high school kids we have had in our program," Heupel said
UT will go through fall camp and hold a couple of scrimmages as they prepare for the season opener. Their first game of the season is against Chattanooga inside Neyland Stadium on Aug. 31.
