University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols’ Linebacker Growth Sparks as Spring Ball Winds Down
April 09, 2024 | Football
Inge and defensive players Keenan Pili, Jeremiah Telander, Kalib Perry, Daevin Hobbs and Jayson Jenkins spoke with local media members following the conclusion of the Vols' 11th spring practice on Tuesday. The Vols worked out in shoulder pads as the squad was contained indoors due to weather conditions.
"As we come out of the spring, we feel very good about our depth, and you know you will probably get some more guys coming back that didn't have a chance to participate in the spring," Inge remarked. "Now, when it comes to what you have to be able to do, the beauty of what we are doing now, and we tell the guys: you have no idea how much more learning you are going to experience from the end of the spring to the beginning of your game week. Everything that we have done, they are going to go through it again two more times, whether we go through our installs from a scheme standpoint or whether they go and actually get the rep in from a repetition standpoint, they are going to be able to do everything a couple more times."
Pili, a seventh-year veteran linebacker and former BYU transfer, has been a terrific mentor figure for the young group. Following an 11-game injury layoff during the regular season, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound talented native of Las Vegas, Nevada, is eager to get back on the field.
"I'm super comfortable," Pili said. "I think, kind of like some of the guys in our room, once you have that year under your belt, that's your biggest leap—especially for incoming freshmen or people like me who maybe transferred from a different school. Once you have that first year under your belt, you feel way more comfortable in the scheme, way more comfortable in the new city and new place, for sure."
Telander, a second-year savvy linebacker, prepares to embark on a much bigger role within the defensive core. Last season, he saw action in all 13 games and registered 35 total tackles. The Gainesville, Georgia, native tallied one pass breakup and 2.5 tackles for loss.
"I feel very comfortable," Telander said. "Of course, there are obviously going to be some mistakes, and that's why we learn every day and come to meetings every day. We try not to make the same mistake twice, but I feel very comfortable in both positions."
Hobbs, a touted sophomore defensive lineman, has made leaps during spring practice with a strong veteran core surrounding him. The Concord, North Carolina, native played in seven regular-season contests during the fall of 2023. Hobbs posted 14 total tackles and one tackle for loss.
"I had a lot of work to do last year," I got a couple reps in the games and in the rotation a little bit like you said. I just had to lock in on my playbook mostly. Some off field stuff and nagging injuries and not staying locked in at some times, but for the most part I feel like I had a solid year. I could have done much better I feel like, but I can't live in the past, so I have to keep moving forward."
Perry enters his third season with competitive energy and has been a staple within the special teams and defensive units. Last season, the junior played in all 13 games on special teams and as a reserve linebacker while posting 20 tackles.
"I would say the biggest thing is with Coach Inge, definitely just his terminology with how he explains things," Perry said. "His biggest thing for him is having backers who can play dual backers, somewhat like what (Aaron) Beasley would do when he would hop over and play the Mike last year. He tries to simplify the terms for us, so that way we can play either one, and also just being versatile, because you never know what could happen throughout the season."
Jenkins has been called by defensive line coach Rodney Garner as the most improved player on the unit and one of the hardest workers. He played in six games last season and registered four tackles.
"Coming in as a freshman is definitely a drastic difference," Jenkins said. "You have to acclimate very fast. For some, it may take longer, and some are able to pick it up. For me, it kind of took me a little bit, but when I caught my groove of how I need to play, how they are expecting me to play and fulfilling that, it truly made it easier to play more freely. Go out there and just ball. From coming in, it was definitely a big improvement for sure."
Tennessee returns to the practice field on Thursday and hosts the Orange & White Game at 1 p.m. ET Saturday in a limited capacity Neyland Stadium. The contest will be televised on SEC Network+.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | April 9, 2024
Tennessee Linebacker Coach William Inge
On LB Jeremiah Telander...
"Having Telander around has been great. I've seen him literally grow and take steps each day - and that's something that we really try to do as a group. The biggest thing that he brings is leadership, toughness and the ability to really understand the system. The things that we've really liked about him thus far through 11 practices, is he's been very, very calm and calming everyone down when the storm comes. He knows that he can put it on him to be the person who wants to be accountable and be the guy that is going to go out there and make the play. We've definitely been pleased with him thus far in the spring."
On what he's learned most about this group...
"That they're a very resilient group and they love football. They love all of the small minute things that go into preparation. When you see those guys coming in and knocking on my door, coming into my office at 6 a.m. wanting to know what we're doing this particular day or this given day, that's exactly what you want. They understand that in order for you to be successful, you have to have a growth mindset, so we've seen that they've been able to live by that and have that. They know they want to be the best players on the team, and as I tell them, where much is given, much is required. So that's what we have to be able to adhere to as linebackers."
On why he holds a players-teaching-players philosophy...
"That's something that's probably been in me ever since my playing days. It's something that Hayden Fry really instilled in the team. Something that he always said was that 'player-led teams will always be in positions to play for championships,' because if a player can lead a player, now you have what's called peer accountability. You get indirect leadership from a player being able to do that. So, if a player can lead, when those players become the leaders of the team, when we can sit back and make sure that the coaches run the program and the players run the team, you know your culture is where it needs to be when it comes to you being able to compete for championships."
On the Mike and Will roles being interchangeable...
"That's something that's very big for us - to make sure that you are interchangeable. We tell our guys that you have to be what's called a dual-linebacker. You have to know both scenarios, because what we want to be able to do is, in any given scenario, get the best guys on the field. That's what we're doing, that's what we're recruiting to do. We're making sure that both guys can have the opportunity or the ability to do both jobs."
On what he's looking to see from the linebackers in the Orange & White game...
"Just the element of consistent play. I think that's the one thing that you're always looking forward to on a day-to-day basis, just making sure from a performance standpoint that that's consistent. From us driving the defense, that that is consistent when we're at the point of attack, that we're making our plays as well. That's kind of the biggest thing that we're looking to, because again, we know that there are things that we have to do and things that we have to accomplish. We're just continuing to take steps as we grow each day. The spring finale will be just another one of those moments to go out there and show it."
On having an experience player like LB Keenan Pili...
"That's awesome when you have someone who's been there and done that. That's exactly what you want in your room. He has an open mind for learning and when you have someone who is a true veteran and understands football - that's probably the best thing we've learned about Keenan - is that he really understands football. So, him being able to do that on a day-in, day-out basis, and a play-in, play-out basis, that's something that really, really helps our defense. We look forward to really pushing him to be one of the best linebackers in America."
On his early impressions of Arion Carter…
"Hearing him is the biggest thing; when you hear him on the sidelines, you can tell he understands football and knows some of the schematic things that we want. When you see him move when we look at some of our player speeds and player loads, he is always one of the top guys up there from a movement standpoint, so we know we are going to get someone who is coming back that's probably even faster than all the guys that are currently in the room. That's what really has me excited. He is the one guy in the morning that is coming in, every morning, trying to get a head start on what's going on today. What are we going to do, what's all in the install, or 'hey coach, I want to learn about both positions.' It is awesome having a chance to really talk with him, and he is exactly what you want in your program."
On the group's depth and biggest steps to take during the offseason...
"As we come out of the spring, we feel very good about our depth, and you know you will probably get some more guys coming back that didn't have a chance to participate in the spring. So, from a depth standpoint, we feel pretty good. Now, when it comes to what you have to be able to do, the beauty of what we are doing now, and we tell the guys: you have no idea how much more learning you are going to experience from the end of the spring to the beginning of your game week. Everything that we have done, they are going to go through it again two more times, whether we go through our installs from a scheme standpoint or whether they go and actually get the rep in from a repetition standpoint, they are going to be able to do everything a couple more times. So, when they do that, now that will enhance their confidence (and) make their preparation be a little higher. That should be able to have some indirect improvements in their performances."
On Keenan Pili's ability as a player…
"When you see him move around, he definitely gets your attention, because he is one of those linebackers that you love because he can run fast and hit hard. He is very explosive, he can get off the ground, he can bend his pads, he can get low. He does everything that you want a linebacker to do, and you combine that with him kind of being 'Uncle Grandpa,' it's awesome.
On gaining the trust of his group...
"I think that process has been really good. One thing all of us have to be about on our end as coaches, mentors, teachers and leaders, we have to be about relationships. So, on our end, every day we start off [with] something that you want to improve on, something that you're doing for your family or something you're doing to help someone else, just to see how others-centered everyone can be. And we always have a one-on-one meeting where we are just learning about each other: 'Hey, tell me about your family. Tell me a little bit about you,' and I'll tell them about myself. That's kind of how our bond has gotten really strong over the last four weeks."
On if building relationships has gone better than he thought it would…
"I would like to say that would be one of my strengths when it comes to being able to build relationships with guys. I think that the reputation from where I'm coming from. I think when they push play and saw some of the film, because those guys, they go back and they look at all of the film on YouTube and everything, and they saw how the linebackers played and some things where they would see some interactions. They could see that as well. When they saw that, and now they're actually getting that on a day-to-day basis, it increases their level of buy-in as well as mine, because I see them wanting to get better. That's what motivates me as a coach, when you see a player that wants to be as good as he can be, and he is going to do everything that he can to try to make sure that he is going to be the guy."
On what Elijah Herring has gained out of the spring…
"I would say the same thing that we talked about with Arion (Carter). With Elijah, seeing his growth just from understanding football. The one thing we tried to be is, we want to make sure we're great teachers. When they're in the meeting, there are some times where we let them run the meeting. Again, we talk about the player-led scenario, so when a player can run the meeting in front of their peers – yes, I'm going to make sure that I help them – but it's going to give them confidence. But also, it gives me the ability to kind of meet with them one-on-one. When I can hear Elijah come in and talk about some of the things from today's install or for today's install, I could be able to help lead him but also, I see where he is in his learning. So, seeing him really grasp a lot more things to help him be a little higher from a football understanding standpoint, it is awesome. We can't wait to get him back, because he's one of those guys that has a lot of sweat equity. By that, he's been on the field playing in the battlefield. We can't wait to get him back for sure."
On how Keenan Pili's experience embodies the player-led mentality…
"It's awesome, because when you're the leader, now you have to go out there and do it. The one thing we talk about in our room is leadership is best coupled with action. When you see someone who is acting it out, everybody wants to follow, and it is perfect. We have to give him things to just work on from a day-to-day basis, but he has really embodied exactly what you want from a leadership standpoint."
On who reminds him of himself as a player off the field…
"I would probably say Kalib Perry. Someone who is spiritually motivated, someone who is really, really, really about preparation, and someone who is growing and taking steps in the program. That's what we all had to do. We all had to develop and go work, and that is what he is about. He's about working and doing exactly what he's supposed to do. So, it motivates me to really make sure that he can be at his best on any given moment."
On what he's seen from Edwin Spillman…
"The one thing about him, it's exactly what you want from a coaching mentality, because I'd rather say 'woah' than 'sic' em'. You do not have to say sic' em to him, because he is all about physical contact – being at the point of attack and wanting to go hurt someone. That's exactly what you want from a young player. Now, what we have to do is just continue to get him guided on understanding the jobs from a play-in and play-out scenario. As a young player, when you come in kind of right as spring ball is starting, you talk about drinking from a firehose. I was trying to turn it down, but it was still going all over the place and he couldn't even see. We were trying to tell him exactly what to do. Then, as you got from one day to the next day, you could just see him continuing to take steps. We feel he has a bright future. He is going to be someone everybody is going to know about here in five months."
Sophomore Defensive Lineman Daevin Hobbs
On his biggest goals coming into spring camp…
"Some of my goals were really just getting my body right. I am working on the technique and my fundamentals, the small stuff. My plays, no more (missed assignments), so at this point in spring ball, I feel like I have been doing a good job focusing on all of the little stuff. I got my body right again, so I am feeling more athletic and stronger than I have ever been before. I would say I have been doing a good job at that."
On if he was pleased with being in the rotation as a freshman…
"I had a lot of work to do last year. I got a couple reps in the games and in the rotation a little bit like you said. I just had to lock in on my playbook mostly. Some off field stuff and nagging injuries and not staying locked in at some times, but for the most part I feel like I had a solid year. I could have done much better I feel like, but I can't live in the past, so I have to keep moving forward."
On having depth on the defensive line and coach Rodney Garner's willingness to play a lot of guys…
"I would say it's a big motivation. I have guys like Big O (Omari Thomas), Big E (Elijah Simmons), Omarr (Norman-Lott), Bryson (Eason), they help me a lot. Whenever I get done with a rep, they will come up to me and tell me what I have to do, what I should have done or if it was a good rep. So, I always have them. They are always a big help. When we watch film, I am always watching them. I have a good set of guys to study their games off of and help me build mine. They are doing a good job of helping me out, I feel like. (We are) very deep this year. We have three or four legit groups upfront. I think it will be a good year again."
RS-Sophomore Defensive Lineman Jayson Jenkins
On the progress he has made in his two years with Tennessee…
"I think I have definitely come very far from when I first got here. I have made drastic strides as a player. Coming in each and every day and trying to get better at everything I need to get better on. Whether it is pad level, working with my hands, being explosive and contributing to the defense. I come in with that attitude every day and throughout these last two years. Going into my third, I really feel confident in my progress as a player. I am just going to keep going and keep progressing as a player."
On being called a 'blue collar guy' by coach Rodney Garner…
"I think I have always been labeled as kind of like a blue-collar guy. Throughout high school, nothing was really given to me. I had to earn everything I had. I had no offers coming into my senior year, so I discarded it, put my head down, and tried to work my situation the best that I could. From going from high school to now, I truly am appreciating this process. I am excited for what's to come."
On Tennessee living up to his expectations and the adjustment coming into college…
"SEC football, there is nothing like it. Coming in as a freshman is definitely a drastic difference. You have to acclimate very fast. For some it may take longer, and some are able to pick it up. For me, it kind of took me a little bit, but when I caught my groove of how I need to play, how they are expecting me to play and fulfilling that, it truly made it easier to play more freely. Go out there and just ball. From coming in, it was definitely a big improvement for sure."
Junior Linebacker Kalib Perry
On the transition to playing for coach William Inge…
"I would say the biggest thing is with Coach Inge, definitely just his terminology with how he explains things. His biggest thing for him is having backers who can play dual backers, somewhat like what (Aaron) Beasley would do when he would hop over and play the Mike last year. He tries to simplify the terms for us, so that way we can play either one, and also just being versatile, because you never know what could happen throughout the season."
On the most difficult part about having to play both linebacker positions…
"I would say with the Will, the biggest thing is that obviously you're a weakside backer and a lot of times you're going to be dropping back in pass (coverage), so being aware of what's going on behind you. Just as much as you have routes going on to the boundary, you also have things coming from the field. So, just being really aware of what's going on around you. The Mike, you just have so much space out to the field. So pretty similar, just being aware and just knowing your spacing, because you could be three steps behind and that's a complete pass, so being able to really close that distance. Both are pretty similar and fun to learn."
On if he's always been big on preparation during his football career…
"I would say more towards college. Obviously, just the IQ of the game and what's going on is such a high speed, and there's so many different dynamics going on. Especially with our tempo offense and fast they go, you roll in fall camp and you're like, 'oh my goodness, what's going on, everything's just flying by.' Definitely just coming in and watching film and just really getting established. I would say like one guy, Edwin (Spillman), he's been doing really well. Just taking extra time to watch film which helped him prepare. That's pretty cool to watch a guy developing, where I was in his shoes not too long ago, two years ago. Like I said, really watching film, asking the coaches and learning how they think about and how they process it. Obviously, you get the play call, and it's all just a process you're going through. Seeing the checks, seeing formation, and then you're ready to snap and go."
RS-Senior Linebacker Keenan Pili
On how much more comfortable he is this year compared to last year after transferring in…
"I'm super comfortable. I think, kind of like some of the guys in our room, once you have that year under your belt, that's your biggest leap—especially for incoming freshmen or people like me who maybe transferred from a different school. Once you have that first year under your belt, you feel way more comfortable in the scheme, way more comfortable in the new city and new place, for sure."
On how he balances contact in practice while also trying to stay healthy…
"I think the biggest thing for me is what I have learned over the years, I have to trust the people who know more than me, and just trusting whatever parameters they give me. Maybe they say 'do this,' and maybe I think I should be doing something else, but I just do what I am told. I feel like the people who have been placed here, especially at Tennessee, we have so many resources and people that have education for those types of things. So, I just listen and when I get my time to work, I work."
On how he embraces being the voice of the linebacker group…
"It's like how coach (William) Inge always says, he says 'leadership is best coupled with action.' So, I am just taking the opportunities. When it's time to lead, lead. When it's time to follow, follow. When it's time to pick up one of your teammates, pick them up, and when it's time to push your teammates a little further, make sure you push your teammates. It's really as simple as that, I feel like, when it comes to leadership or what he wants for the (linebacker) room or this team. Leadership is best coupled with action."
Sophomore Linebacker Jeremiah Telander
On what his growth has been like so far from the Citrus Bowl to spring camp…
"I think even in that little segment when we had the last game of our season to the Citrus Bowl, I got a lot better. From the Citrus Bowl to now, I've gotten a lot better. My confidence has risen every single day and my level of preparedness has risen. Definitely a big difference from the Citrus Bowl to now."
On how comfortable he is at the Mike and Will positions…
"I feel very comfortable. Of course, there are obviously going to be some mistakes, and that's why we learn every day and come to meetings every day. We try not to make the same mistake twice, but I feel very comfortable in both positions."
On how he is physically different since last year…
"I've definitely put some weight on. I trust what I can do, and I trust my technique. I trust what the coaches say as well. You put together the weight room, your technique and the way that I play which is fast and physical, my body has felt great. Physically, I feel dominant."
