University of Tennessee Athletics
Seven Questions with the '07 Newcomers ??? Tyler Maples
August 16, 2007 | Football
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Hometown: Maryville
High School: Maryville
You were a part of three consecutive football state championships in high school. What do you learn from that kind of success?
???I think the biggest thing is discipline. A lot was expected of us. If we did something, we did it until we got it right. Whether it was a drill or a play, we tried to perfect everything. We expected to win because we were confident in what we were doing.???
Has the transition to college football been an easy one?
???The commitment that is necessary is similar to what I experienced in high school. Practices and workouts and the way the coaches do things are also kind of the same. The biggest difference is the game itself, the speed and talent level of the other players.???
Is there added pressure on you to succeed because you are a local kid?
???I think there is. Being from close by, when you get the opportunity to come play at UT, you want to represent well. People are going to know more about me on a personal level, so I am on the spot to do well here.???
Have you experienced anything you didn???t expect to here?
???I probably had the best idea of anyone what to expect, but one thing I didn???t really think about was the different types of people I would be playing with. There are guys from everywhere, California, Michigan, Texas. It has been a good thing because it broadens my experience as a person and a football player.???
How did the scrimmage go for you?
???I was in for two or three series. I???m trying to learn a lot right now. Any live reps I can get will help me down the road.???
What do you like to do in your free time?
???I???ve gotten pretty close with most of the freshman class. We are always getting together to do something in the dorm???s rec room. I???m close to home, too. I can go home and see family whenever I get a little spare time.???
You can???t win 99 out of 100 high school football games without a little luck. What is the luckiest break your high school team ever got?
???I think our luckiest break came my freshman year against Central High School. It was tied and they were driving late in the game. I think they were inside the 10 yard line and decided to kick a field goal to win the game. They missed it, and we ended up winning the game in overtime.???
By Tony Williams, UT Sports Information
