University of Tennessee Athletics
Kamara's Work Ethic Boosts Vols
August 10, 2015 | Football
The First Stripe To Come Off
Given the on-field excitement around Alvin Kamara, it was not surprise that he was the first player to have the black stripe removed from his helmet in training camp.
The Butch Jones Tennessee tradition of newcomers having a black stripe on their practice helmets dates to his first training camp as Vol head coach in 2013. The removal of the stripe indicates that a players has worked his way on the team, embracing the standards that the program stands for.
With those ideals in mind, the reasons behind the stripe coming off had little to do with flashy plays or big runs in the first five practices of camp. It was all about the things he did to make those plays.
"It meant a lot," Kamara said of having his stripe removed I a team meeting following Saturday's practice. "It was a testament to my work ethic. That's what I've focused on the most since I've been here, just working hard and not saying anything, just keeping my head down and grinding. I don't like to talk too much about it, just keep my head down and keep working."
Running backs coach Rober Gillespie saw everything he expected from Kamara on the field, but even more away from it.
"First of all, he was a great teammate," Gillespie said. "[He is] very unselfish, a high-energy guy, talked to the offensive line trying to keep those guys encouraged. Those are the things that get your black stripe taken off. Everybody on this team is a playmaker, but taking your stripe off says you've bought into the culture."
-Brian Rice
By Brian Rice
KNOXVILLLE, Tenn.
UTSports.com
But once on campus, the accolades and history of a storied high school career and a standout season at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas were I the rear view mirror. Kamara was ready to go to work, both on and off the field, eager to prove that he was more than a list of accomplishments.
"He's a really good teammate," said Robert Gillespie, Tennessee's running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. "Those are the things you never know when you take a guy that has been somewhere before and now he's in a new system and a new culture. But he's been a great teammate, he's been a great role model for the young guys to follow."
Kamara signed with Alabama out of Norcross, Georgia, but injuries limited him in practice and he never saw game action in his freshman season. At the end of the year, he transferred to Hutchinson to push the reset button on his football career.
Kamara ran for 1,211 yards and 18 touchdowns in nine games in his only season with the Blue Dragons. The next stop would be back in the SEC, where the momentum of the Volunteer program under Jones and the tradition of the position at UT put the Vols at the top of Kamara's list.
"The tradition speaks for itself, especially in the running backs room," Kamara said. "We have guys like Jamal Lewis, Travis Stephens, guys like that attracted me to come to Tennessee. Coach Jones and Coach Gillespie have things going in the right direction, starting something magical on Rocky Top, so this is where I wanted to be."
It helped that he saw a familiar face in the Tennessee backfield. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs from Alpharetta, Georgia has known Kamara since the pair were in sixth grade. As happy as Kamara was to see a familiar face, Dobbs was even happier to finally be playing on the same team.
"We grew up playing football against each other, basketball against each other," Dobbs said. "He's always been a hard worker on the field and a good person off the field. He has always been that guy that when you put the ball in his hands, a big play is going to occur. I'm definitely excited to have him here this year and to play with him again."
He stepped into a good situation to make those big plays at a running back position that returns Jalen Hurd from a standout season a year ago. The two share a similar relentless work ethic that has seen each transform their body in the offseason.
"He's fit right in because he's a hard worker, he's a guy to watch in the weight room," Dobbs said. "He knows what his job is and knows what he needs to get done. Out on the field, he understands the schemes and his assignments and is ready to attack the field. He fits right in with what we talk about every day. He comes in, works hard, gets his work done and puts in the extra effort. He's taken on a great leadership role with the younger guys, mentoring them."
For all of the talk about his work and leadership, there is also the matter of his talents on the football field. Talents that play right into what Tennessee wants to do this season, which is turn good plays into game-changing plays.
The mantra in the running backs room is "Eight into 80," meaning to turn an 8-yard play into a touchdown run of 80 yards or longer.
"Big plays," Kamara said when asked what he wanted his calling card to be at Tennessee. "We talk about it every day in the running back room, turning eight to 80. That's one thing I want to be known for is being able to make big plays happen."
His quarterback sees it coming, just like he has since the sixth grade.
"He's elusive," Dobbs said. "The first guy that comes up to him won't make the tackle. The second guy might miss too. That's great to have. We always talk about how you have to make the first guy miss, he has that."
The challenge now is getting him the ball in situations that showcase his speed and elusiveness.
"He has a natural, God-given ability with the ball in his hands," Gillespie said. "We have to do a great job as coaches of finding creative ways to get him on the field with Jalen and find way to get the ball in his hands. He's definitely an explosive kid and is going to be an exciting player to watch this fall."
