KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Senior day is on Saturday for Tennessee football. The Vols will face Vanderbilt in their last regular season game and for several seniors, it will be their last time competing in Neyland Stadium.
In Monday and Tuesday's press conferences, many University of Tennessee senior Vols shared their favorite moments playing for this Tennessee program.
Offensive lineman Ollie Lane has always said he's been blessed to wear the Orange and White. On Monday, he shared just how special this program is to him.
"First and foremost, I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have come to Tennessee in the first place," Lane said. "This program, this university means a lot to me. Being able to put the 'T' on the side of my head every day, and to be able to wear the Orange and White, it's meant a lot to me over these past six years.”
Lane said this inevitable day has been on his mind for a while.
“It’s coming to a close, and I think that feeling has become stronger throughout the years,” Lane said. “It’s something I’ll always carry with me wherever I go.”
Senior wide receiver Ramel Keyton also spoke at Monday’s press conference and said playing in Neyland Stadium for the last time hasn’t hit him yet.
“It hasn’t hit me all the way yet. Honestly, I just want to win,” Keyton said. “I’m a competitor, I just want to go out there and win.”
When asked about his favorite memories, Keyton had a hard time thinking of just one.
“A lot of favorite moments, a couple of plays, a couple of wins that we had," he said.
On Tuesday, sixth-year tight end Jacob Warren reflected on his time playing for Tennessee. Warren described the first few times he looked up and gazed at Neyland Stadium.
“I used to walk around campus and just look at the stadium, and I would just be like, ‘Wow, one day I’m gonna,’ not to get all emotional but, ‘One day I’m gonna make plays in there,’” Warren said.
The senior offensive leader also said this Tennessee program has made him a better person in many ways.
“It means the world, just because, as a competitor too, we are trying to get better,” Warren said. “Whether it’s giving ourselves a better life financially, or with a good career, or just trying to become a better man, or just trying to be a better football player.”
Defensive lineman Omari Thomas said he wants to leave a mark on this Tennessee program. Although he is unsure if he wants to use his extra year of eligibility, he said he will play like it’s the last time on Saturday.
“When you look at this program, hopefully, I’m just a person who they can look at who always gave their best,” Thomas said. “I’m gonna go out there like it’s my last game. Just have fun and play free.”
Head Coach Josh Heupel also discussed on Monday what the senior class means to him.
“Lot of special guys that have been here and stayed the course, helped put the pillars of this program together,” Heupel said. “Need to send them out the right way. This is our last opportunity in the regular season, need to go finish it the right way inside Neyland stadium.”
The day will likely be emotional for every player, coach, and staff member as the regular season winds down. However, even more so for the seniors who will run through the “T” for the last time.
The Tennesssee-Vanderbilt game will start at 3:30 p.m. You can watch it on the SEC Network.
