Despite being a 25-year-old husband and father with four years of college football experience, Keenan Pili felt like a newcomer when he transferred to Tennessee from BYU last December.

On his transition to a leader on the Vols’ defense: https://tennessee.rivals.com/news/no-longer-a-newcomer-keenan-pili-feeling-at-home-on-vols-defense

The Vols ran away with their first game of their foreign tour.

I detail all the info here:

First preseason game is about to get started! Who’s watching? Cedric Tillman gonna play!

Watch the press conferences and our recap of fall camp:

Tennessee held practice No. 3 of fall camp on Friday. Here are key takeaways: https://Tennessee.rivals.com/news/key-takeaways-from-tennessee-s-third-practice-of-fall-camp

Joe Milton played at a high level in Tennessee's Orange Bowl win over Clemson last December.

Now, expectations are very high for the Vols' QB entering the 2023 season.

"He came back after that Clemson game and he was hungry to keep learning."

Login to view embedded media
Visiting Tennessee on the 28th and Alabama on the 29th ahead of his August 5th commitment

Tennessee linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and select players are scheduled to meet with the media following the Vols' third practice of fall camp at 11:10 a.m. this morning.

For notes, quotes and more, follow along in this thread and on Twitter @TennesseeRivals, @RyanTSylvia and @ByNoahTaylor

“What have we long said, college football is headed for 2, 2 big conferences, maybe with the Big 12, 3, talk about 60 schools overall that are going to compete and break away from the NCAA and do their own thing,” Barrie said. “And as each day passes, and each Board of Regents meeting goes, we are one day closer to this becoming a reality.”

Click to expand...

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-f ... -football/

I have been saying this for the past 5 plus years. The moves of the past few years have been paving the way and now the money crunch with the TV networks and conferences are going to dictate that the true power programs are going to split off away from the NCAA.

After speaking to coach Abeln and freshmen Ethan Davis and Emmanuel Okoye, it is clear the tight end group is in good hands.

Takeaways from fall camp day two:

We were only able to view the first couple periods of practice today. Not nearly as much info as yesterday but still have some notes.

- Joe and Nico were extremely accurate. Didn't see them miss a throw during the time we were allowed to watch. No defenders, though.

- Didn't see Squirrel White out there. Cross checked with some other reporters and none of us could find him. Happens, though. We'll see if he's there tomorrow.

- Fr. TE Emmanuel Okoye came up with a slight tweak in what appeared to be his hamstring. Should be fine.

- Jacob Warren has some sure hands. Should be a factor in the pass game.

- Bru McCoy bounced back. Dropped some passes yesterday but had sure hands today.

- Chandavian Bradley is a big guy for a freshman.

- Still no pads. Just helmets.

- OC/QB coach Joey Halzle has great attention to detail. Works with all five QBs on roster. Even true freshman walk-on Ryan Damron who is fifth on the depth chart.

From @Tyler Bannerman:

On new Tennessee tight end Emmanuel Okoye and his journey from Nigeria to SEC football prospect: https://Tennessee.rivals.com/news/e...on-to-tight-end-next-step-in-football-journey

From @Hunter.DeNote:

The media met with TE coach Alec Abeln and five freshmen after fall practice on Thursday.

Watch the pressers and our breakdown of practice:

On #Vols senior center Cooper Mays, what he learned from Jerome Carvin and how he's applying it to his leadership role this season: https://Tennessee.rivals.com/news/cooper-mays-anchors-vols-offensive-line-as-unquestioned-leader

Following the second day of fall camp practice, tight end coach Alec Abeln and select players are set to meet with the media.

Follow this thread and on Twitter @TennesseeRivals for quotes and updates:

Vol Fans,

It’s officially August 1st, and football is in the air. Pads are poppin and deaths are droppin. I for one cannot wait for this year’s football season. As a 90s kid who has seen the rise and fall of Tennessee football, I think we’re on the cusp of officially being back. Last year was a huge step in the right direction, and Coach Heupel is the man for the job. The Vols were 23-27 during my 4 years from 2009-2012, and if I can convince my wife we’ll take our two kids to Knoxville at some point to see a game.

Login to view embedded media

We were able to watch eight periods of Tennessee football's practice on Wednesday.

Here are my notes:

STARTERS

LT - John Campbell
LG - Ollie Lane
C - Cooper Mays
RG - Javontez Spraggins
RT - Jeremiah Crawford

WRs Bru McCoy, Ramel Keyton, Squirrel White

TEs Jacob Warren and McCallen Castles split reps

RBs Jabari Small was first on field but split reps with Jaylen Wright

First Team Defense Back Rotation
S Andre Turrentine, S Wesley Walker, Star Tamarion McDonald, CB Brandon Turnage, CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally

LBs Will - Aaron Beasley Mike - Keenan Pili

REPS

Joe Milton:
Incomplete - Bru McCoy defended by Christian Harrison (Bru had a rough day)
Complete - Jacob Warren on a dig route defended by William Wright
DPI - Dont'e Thornton held by Jaylen McCollough
Complete - Jacob Warren blown up on screen by Andre Turrentine

Nico Iamaleava
Complete - Ramel Keyton defended by De'Shawn Rucker
Complete - Jack Jancek
Complete - McCallen Castles out route defended by Warren Burrell
Incomplete - Squirrel White defended by Wesley Walker (Bad throw)
Incomplete - Montrell Bandy good defense on Trey Weary

THOUGHTS

- Jaylen McCollough was a clear leader of the team. He had a good rep against Bru McCoy, as well. However, he was not with the defense when starters were on the field. Wouldn't read too much into it, though.
- Squirrel White looks really good. Burned Dee Williams on a 1 on 1 drill. Was with the starting group.
- Bru McCoy looked rusty. Dropped some passes with no coverage that hit him square in the hands. Looked better by end of session.
- Nico Iamaleava has clear physical tools but still is adjusting to the offense. Will be fine with more practice.

It's football time!

Periods 0-8 were open to the media on the first day of Tennessee football fall camp. Here are three takeaways from what I saw: https://Tennessee.rivals.com/news/three-takeaways-from-day-1-of-tennessee-football-fall-camp

Tennessee's freshman on the DL love assistant coach Rodney Garner's tough love.

Chandavian Bradley even said he loves being yelled at.

Six Tennessee freshmen spoke with the media following the first fall camp of the year.

WATCH:

Login to view embedded media

@Noah-Taylor and I detail our biggest takeaways from Tennessee's first practice of fall camp.

WATCH:

Login to view embedded media

Josh Heupel's quick resurgence of Tennessee's football program has been nothing short of incredible, and expectations are as high as ever entering the 2023 season.

What's changed for the Vols since he took over?

"We've come a long ways in a short amount of time."