KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following its thrilling, hard-fought overtime win on the road at Mississippi State last week, No. 15/15 Tennessee is using its first of two open dates this season to continue growing and improving while getting some much-needed rest and recovery.
For the second consecutive year, the Vols will take on Arkansas coming off an open week and are motivated to ensure they are as prepared as possible for their lone home game in the month of October.
“You can point to last year and the way that we played coming off a bye week,” Heupel said when asked about keeping the team motivated during practice this week. “You look at last week, excited and happy about the way we competed. The way we went and played the next play, the next series, the way that we finished the game, but there are a lot of things that we can do a lot better.
“That’s in every phase of the game, but certainly offensively and on special teams. Whether you win or lose, it’s dealing with what the reality is, and how you get better.”
Tennessee is also using this week to get its younger players ready for increased roles throughout the remainder of the season as the Vols look to continue building depth across all of their position groups.
True freshmen David Sanders Jr. and Jack Van Dorselaer are two names to keep an eye on as they look to take on larger roles as the calendar turns to October. Both Sanders Jr. and Van Dorselaer saw action in key moments down the stretch during UT’s win against the Bulldogs last Saturday.
“I thought he went in and handled himself extremely well,” Heupel said when asked about Sanders Jr.’s debut. “First action of the season, seven minutes and some change to go in the ball game on a drive where you have to go down and score to tie it up.
“It was something that I pointed out to everyone in our team room. I just used the word prepared, right? He was prepared for that moment. Went in, executed and handled himself the way that you need to, to go score on a drive. We’re going to need them all as the season continues, so fight, strain, compete and take what you want individually, and ultimately, us as a football team too.”
Heupel was quick to sing the praises of Van Dorselaer’s, as well, when asked about his development at the tight end position.
“Another guy that I pointed out being prepared for his opportunity. He played great on special teams. His reps on offense, did a great job in the core. He was a big part of the overtime play where we spring a run. Played with violence, speed and technique and created space there for DeSean (Bishop) to score at the end of the game.
“He’s a young guy who has handled himself with great maturity and continues to get better but is prepared. Love the growth that we’ve seen from him.”
The full transcript from Heupel’s Wednesday press conference can be seen below.
Head Coach Josh Heupel Transcript (10.1.25)
Opening statement…
“Good work today out on the grass. Bye week, obviously. For some of our guys, get healthy and also get some work in. Focus is on us. Fundamentals, technique, things we control. Have to take a step. Young guys have to continue to grow. It’s been a point of emphasis with our team meeting and today out on the grass. At the back end of the week, the staff will have an opportunity to get out and go recruiting as well. Multiple things that we have to get accomplished this week.”
On his expectations for Chris Brazzell II out of the transfer portal…
“I anticipated and believed that he had a chance to grow and play at the level that he is at right now, but not just him, the entire room. At the end of the day in this game, at every level, but certainly here, it’s about development as well. We liked the traits we saw in Chris. The guys that we had in that room, liked what we were bringing in. It was about development. You guys have heard me say in the offseason, there was a point of emphasis that young guys can’t be young. That was certainly true for freshmen. It was true for new guys, but also for guys that hadn’t been in our program very long. Coach Pope and that wide receiver room have done a great job and are continuing to grow. Obviously, Chris is who you asked about initially. He’s played extremely well. He’s done a great job in one-on-one situations, going and attacking the ball, making plays. He’s been a big part of our success that we’ve had.”
On keeping the team motivated during the bye week…
“You can point to last year and the way that we played coming off a bye week. You look at last week, excited and happy about the way we competed. The way we went and played the next play, the next series, the way that we finished the game, but there are a lot of things that we can do a lot better. That’s in every phase of the game, but certainly offensively and on special teams. Whether you win or lose, it’s dealing with what the reality is, and how you get better.”
On workload concerns for the first month of the season, in games and in practice…
“Managing guys in practice is a part of what we do all times of the year. We certainly take into account what they are doing on game days as well. Guys need to prove that they are ready to play too. You can’t just throw them out every play, all eleven on the field. It’s a series of one-plays that makes the difference in a football game. Guys that think they’re ready, that may not be prepared, it’s time to get prepared. Things that they control on offense, defense, and special teams. The reality is you are also getting ready to go into a long stretch in this league, and that’s just the nature of this league. The physicality of it. The violence of it. Guys get banged up playing consecutive weeks after one another inside of this league. There are guys that are going to have to step up next week when we get to Arkansas, but throughout the course of it too. So, continuing to get guys ready and prepared to go play at the level that they need to.”
On David Sanders Jr.’s performance against Mississippi State and his role going forward…
“I thought he went in and handled himself extremely well. First action of the season, seven minutes and some change to go in the ball game on a drive where you have to go down and score to tie it up. You know, it was something that I pointed out to everyone in our team room. I just used the word prepared, right? He was prepared for that moment. Went in, executed and handled himself the way that you need to, to go score on a drive. We’re going to need them all as the season continues, so fight, strain, compete and take what you want individually, and ultimately, us as a football team too.”
On Joshua Josephs being critical of himself and his evaluation of the LEOs so far…
“Glad that he’s critical of himself and wants to continue to improve. Great players continue to do that. That position, Josh (Josephs), who you were talking about, but that position, they’ve made an impact on the game. They’ve done a good job in the run game. We ask those guys to drop occasionally. They’ve been solid in their pass drops. The ability to rush the passer has changed the way the game’s played here in the early part of the year, and I want to continue to see them continue to grow.”
On visiting high schools for recruiting during the bye week…
“I’m going to be honest. At this point in the week, I’m not exactly sure where my travel plans are taking me, but I’ll be out on Thursday and Friday this week.”
On Jack Van Dorselaer stepping up and taking more snaps last week…
“Yeah, another guy that I pointed out being prepared for his opportunity. He played great on special teams. His reps on offense, did a great job in the core. He was a big part of the overtime play where we spring a run. Played with violence, speed and technique and created space there for DeSean (Bishop) to score at the end of the game. Outside quarterback zone, does a great job. He’s a young guy who has handled himself with great maturity and continues to get better but is prepared. Love the growth that we’ve seen from him.”
On preparing for Arkansas with head coach and defensive staff changes…
“You dive as deep as you possibly can. I think it will be important for us schematically, one to communicate and to adjust on the field, but two, on the sidelines and staffing players together. Had a ton of success last year in the three-down front they did against us. We’re preparing for that and will adjust to anything else we see.”
