University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Running Backs Grow and Evolve Through Camp
August 14, 2024 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee marked practice No. 11 of preseason training camp on Wednesday with the Vols' running back room coming into focus. Running backs coach De'Rail Sims met with local reporters to discuss the growth and evolution of the group as kickoff to the 2024 season nears.
A group with wide-ranging skill sets, Sims highlighted their understanding and ability in the passing game.
"They've done a good job in terms of taking the opportunities that they're given on the perimeter when we're able to get the ball in their hands," Sims said. "All of them bring a different skill set from that aspect, but all of them have reliable hands to where we're able to put the ball in their hands on the perimeter."
Sims also praised his group for their willingness to do the dirty work in pass protection.
"I think fundamentally, it's something that you always can continue to get better at because sometimes guys know who to get, and then they go in there so aggressively, it's kind of like a bull in a china shop mentality just a little bit. But they've done a really good job of sticking their faces inside, making sure that they're keeping the quarterback upright."
Full comments from Sims and select quotes from running backs DeSean Bishop and Khalifa Keith along with wide receivers Chris Brazzell II and Kaleb Webb can be viewed below.
"No doubt about it. Every single day Peyton is taking the next step forward which is really good. He's getting more comfortable every day in the offense, so he's done a really good job in terms of learning (and) practice habits. You can tell by his demeanor at practice that he's getting more comfortable every day."
On what makes him believe RB DeSean Bishop is game ready…
"I think just his practice habits and his meeting habits. When he goes into, whether in scrimmages or practice situations, everybody trusts him because he knows what to do and then he goes and operates at a high level. So, that's kind of gaining the trust of the coaches and also his teammates, as well."
On RB Cameron Seldon's recovery…
"He's been doing a really good job. He's day-by-day in terms of him in the meetings attacking it, in practice doing the things that he's able to do, but he's done a really good job in terms of putting himself in a situation to where he's mentally focused and then his practice habits are good as well."
On Peyton Lewis' plays in the spring and what he likes about his skill set…
"I think when you sit up there and look at Peyton, you look at No. 1, how big he is when he puts the shoulder pads on. He looks like a grown man. No. 2, you see the explosive characteristics that he has about him. He's able to break tackles and continue to go plus-two past contact but then at the same time when he's able to get in the open field, he's a guy that can take it the distance. He's not scared to put his face on people in pass protection. That's the number one deal that you see from a young guy. Sometimes it's not necessarily how physical they're going to be and understanding where to go, but he's physical, he'll go put his face on people but then at the same time he knows what to do, so he's done a really good job from that standpoint."
On DeSean Bishop's mentality…
"No. 1, you can tell the confidence factor when you get a chance to meet him. I recruited DeSean a little bit at a previous institution, so I already kind of knew his background. And then his work ethic, when you walk in the building and you see this guy walk into the weight room and how he attacks it, when he walks into the meeting room – no matter if it's special teams meetings, team meetings or position meeting – he always has his notebook, he always is taking really good notes and he asks really good questions. Then when he attacks it on the field, he's going to be the first guy out there (and) he's always going to be the last guy to leave because he's always getting extra work in. So, his mentality is a bulldog mentality in terms of he's going to attack you every day."
On RB Dylan Sampson's leadership and managing his workload…
"You kind of tell him, 'hey, you understand what's going on. You know what to do. Coach up the younger guys.' We understand what you can do, let's make sure that we're sharpening your tools in the toolbox. But he is, he's always ready to go in every situation (and) he wants to take all the reps, so that's when we just have to manage him."
On his experience working under Josh Heupel so far…
"It's been really good. I think the thing that jumps out to you is the competitive aspect of the practice – how high tempo it is, how everybody is flowing and everybody is moving in the same direction. But, when it's time to put the ball down and spot it, both sides are highly competitive, which is really good. And it gets competitive from the coaches as well, which is good. So, it's iron sharpening iron every day here, which is phenomenal."
On how Dylan Sampson is improving even when he isn't getting as many physical reps…
"Coaching up the guys. He's sitting up there taking mental reps. When he's there on the sideline, when he's taking his reps when he's not in on that drive, he's doing a really good job of seeing and envisioning what's getting ready to happen. Then if he sees something from the younger guys that's in there, he's the first one to go attack it and coach them up and kind of give them some pointers on, 'hey, if this presents itself again, here's some things that you can do to kind of help yourself out.' So, he's been a really good leader from that standpoint."
On his impression of QB Nico Iamaleava from his vantage point…
"I'm very impressed with him. The way he goes out there and commands the whole entire offense, he doesn't get flustered when things go break down a little bit, he doesn't get flustered, so you see the leadership qualities about him. You see the arm talent. The different arm angles that he's able to get the ball out, the way he's able to present the ball down the field. When he escapes the pocket as well, he's dangerous from a running standpoint as well. I think he holistically is a really good person and a really good player as well."
On how Dyan Sampson's power has improved…
"You look at his body and how his body has changed over the summer, he's put on really good weight. He does a really good job on second effort. Not allowing one guy to bring him down, exploding for plus-two past contact, which we talk about all the time. The extra weight gains that he's put on and the good weight has helped him tremendously and it hasn't made him lose step or speed or quickness that he has, so that's been good."
On the growth of RB Khalifa Keith…
"I think with Khalifa, you sit up there and you look at a guy that's 230 pounds that's explosive in terms of his first 20 yards. He does a really good job of running behind his pads. He does a really good job of putting his face on people in pass protection. I think Khalifa is totally different from where he was in the spring, holistically. I think in the spring, mentally he knew what to do, but he was trying to think too much instead of just cutting it loose and going out there and playing. Right now, he's actually going out there and playing. He's cutting it loose. He's maximizing his runs. When there's nothing there, he's going in there (and) banging it up in the line of scrimmage trying to run through smoke and doing a really good job of either getting us some positive gains or helping us stay out of negative-yardage situations."
On where he feels like the group is with pass protection…
"I feel like right now we're doing a really good job. No. 1, it always starts with the identification process, understanding who the MIKE point is and then understanding who we have off of that. I think fundamentally, it's something that you always can continue to get better at because sometimes guys know who to get, and then they go in there so aggressively, it's kind of like a bull in a china shop mentality just a little bit. But they've done a really good job of sticking their faces inside, making sure that they're keeping the quarterback upright. We haven't had too many busts in terms of pass protection this camp, knock on wood."
On how he's seen the group evolve in the passing game…
"They've done a good job in terms of taking the opportunities that they're given on the perimeter when we're able to get the ball in their hands. All of them bring a different skill set from that aspect, but all of them have reliable hands to where we're able to put the ball in their hands on the perimeter. It's all about what you do after the catch: the yards after the catch that come with it, but they've all done a good job of putting themselves in situations being able to catch the ball out of the backfield."
On how he would describe DeSean Bishop as a running back…
"I think when you look at DeSean, he's kind of your throwback football player from a mentality standpoint. He doesn't get flustered. He has his routine in terms of his body maintenance. He does a really good job when he comes out here and attacks. He's very hard on himself, so if he makes a mistake, he's frustrated with himself, but it doesn't affect him on the next play. When he gets in there, he does a really good job of running behind his pads. He's quick in between the tackles. He's got really good short-area quickness. His acceleration is good. He has good hands out of the backfield. He knows the things that he needs to fine tune and work on. For me, in terms of what I look at with him, I see him as an old-school throwback player. It's like that guy that you can just keep hitting and hitting and hitting and he just keeps getting stronger and stronger as the game goes on."
"My confidence is there right now. Getting more comfortable coming off of injury, just trying to get back in my flow and do what I'm doing. I feel like I'm doing that at a high level right now, and I'm just trying to get after it and prepare for the season. "
On his improvement in pass protection…
"In pass pro this off season, taking those mental reps, seeing guys like (Jaylen Wright) and do it at a high level, taking a little criticism from them and being in the film room. I'd say I strived hard this year in the offseason, being in the film room and trying to take those reps mentally and get focused on that, because I know it's a big deal being on the field and what not. You have to protect (Nico Iamaleava), so that's a pretty important thing I focused on."
On his workload change from high school to college…
"I hear a lot, talking about me carrying the ball a lot. That played a little bit into me coming here, but that's the mentality you have to have. I knew what I was getting into carrying the ball a lot, and I took that with pride. There's a lot to it, getting up here mentally, so it's just a mental strain. My junior year I had 442 carries and never thought about an injury at all. Never thought about getting hurt. I come here and get rolled up on wrong and it killed my season, but we're back and we're stronger than ever."
"Just being intentional with my reps and every rep I'm taking. Just being dialed in with the little details, whether that's like pass pro technique and getting my pads low on contact. Everything has kind of taken care of itself in this camp."
On what it's been like to have more opportunities in the scrimmages and practices...
'It was good. Obviously, just being in there with the ones it gives you confidence, a lot of confidence. Just like I said, taking advantage of every rep and every opportunity that comes my way. Just trying to be detailed and dialed in when your time comes."
On what his relationship is like with DeSean Bishop...
"It's good. I love the guy. We kind of learn from each other every day. Everybody in the running back room pushes each other. We have great conversations in the running back room. We laugh a lot and joke a lot. When it's time to dial in, he's locked in and I'm locked in, so we just make each other better.
"Me and Nico have a good relationship. It's more of the plays on my end. Being able to know my assignment, play fast versus thinking before the play and not being as decisive during the play."
On if his physicality is more mentality or physically based…
"It comes from within you. If you want to block, then you can block. If you don't want to block, then you probably are going to not be able to block. It is a mindset thing for sure."
On how the competition has been at wide receiver with Bru McCoy, Mike Matthews and other guys now healthy…
"Having Bru back, it's crazy. He's a guy who plays physically, plays fast and knows his assignments. Having him back makes me go like, "Okay, I got to play fast. I got to play physically. I got to know my plays. He's busting his butt every play and knows his assignment every play. Mike's a young guy and really talented. Any way that I can help Mike, I'm going to help him."
"I love the competition; I feel like that is why you come to the SEC. You want to be pushed to your limit and reach your max potential. I feel like the receivers we already have, and the newcomers like Chris (Chris Brazzell II). It has definitely helped my game, as well as helped him develop, to allow us to give us the best shot to be playmakers this year."
On what he needs to improve on from what he learned when playing last season…
"I would just say finishing the big plays. 50/50 balls kind of make or break you in this league. And coming prepared — I wanted to dive deeper into film this year, make sure I am prepared for anything I will see in a game this year."
A group with wide-ranging skill sets, Sims highlighted their understanding and ability in the passing game.
"They've done a good job in terms of taking the opportunities that they're given on the perimeter when we're able to get the ball in their hands," Sims said. "All of them bring a different skill set from that aspect, but all of them have reliable hands to where we're able to put the ball in their hands on the perimeter."
Sims also praised his group for their willingness to do the dirty work in pass protection.
"I think fundamentally, it's something that you always can continue to get better at because sometimes guys know who to get, and then they go in there so aggressively, it's kind of like a bull in a china shop mentality just a little bit. But they've done a really good job of sticking their faces inside, making sure that they're keeping the quarterback upright."
Full comments from Sims and select quotes from running backs DeSean Bishop and Khalifa Keith along with wide receivers Chris Brazzell II and Kaleb Webb can be viewed below.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Aug. 14, 2024
Running Backs Coach De'Rail Sims
On freshman RB Peyton Lewis' improvement…"No doubt about it. Every single day Peyton is taking the next step forward which is really good. He's getting more comfortable every day in the offense, so he's done a really good job in terms of learning (and) practice habits. You can tell by his demeanor at practice that he's getting more comfortable every day."
On what makes him believe RB DeSean Bishop is game ready…
"I think just his practice habits and his meeting habits. When he goes into, whether in scrimmages or practice situations, everybody trusts him because he knows what to do and then he goes and operates at a high level. So, that's kind of gaining the trust of the coaches and also his teammates, as well."
On RB Cameron Seldon's recovery…
"He's been doing a really good job. He's day-by-day in terms of him in the meetings attacking it, in practice doing the things that he's able to do, but he's done a really good job in terms of putting himself in a situation to where he's mentally focused and then his practice habits are good as well."
On Peyton Lewis' plays in the spring and what he likes about his skill set…
"I think when you sit up there and look at Peyton, you look at No. 1, how big he is when he puts the shoulder pads on. He looks like a grown man. No. 2, you see the explosive characteristics that he has about him. He's able to break tackles and continue to go plus-two past contact but then at the same time when he's able to get in the open field, he's a guy that can take it the distance. He's not scared to put his face on people in pass protection. That's the number one deal that you see from a young guy. Sometimes it's not necessarily how physical they're going to be and understanding where to go, but he's physical, he'll go put his face on people but then at the same time he knows what to do, so he's done a really good job from that standpoint."
On DeSean Bishop's mentality…
"No. 1, you can tell the confidence factor when you get a chance to meet him. I recruited DeSean a little bit at a previous institution, so I already kind of knew his background. And then his work ethic, when you walk in the building and you see this guy walk into the weight room and how he attacks it, when he walks into the meeting room – no matter if it's special teams meetings, team meetings or position meeting – he always has his notebook, he always is taking really good notes and he asks really good questions. Then when he attacks it on the field, he's going to be the first guy out there (and) he's always going to be the last guy to leave because he's always getting extra work in. So, his mentality is a bulldog mentality in terms of he's going to attack you every day."
On RB Dylan Sampson's leadership and managing his workload…
"You kind of tell him, 'hey, you understand what's going on. You know what to do. Coach up the younger guys.' We understand what you can do, let's make sure that we're sharpening your tools in the toolbox. But he is, he's always ready to go in every situation (and) he wants to take all the reps, so that's when we just have to manage him."
On his experience working under Josh Heupel so far…
"It's been really good. I think the thing that jumps out to you is the competitive aspect of the practice – how high tempo it is, how everybody is flowing and everybody is moving in the same direction. But, when it's time to put the ball down and spot it, both sides are highly competitive, which is really good. And it gets competitive from the coaches as well, which is good. So, it's iron sharpening iron every day here, which is phenomenal."
On how Dylan Sampson is improving even when he isn't getting as many physical reps…
"Coaching up the guys. He's sitting up there taking mental reps. When he's there on the sideline, when he's taking his reps when he's not in on that drive, he's doing a really good job of seeing and envisioning what's getting ready to happen. Then if he sees something from the younger guys that's in there, he's the first one to go attack it and coach them up and kind of give them some pointers on, 'hey, if this presents itself again, here's some things that you can do to kind of help yourself out.' So, he's been a really good leader from that standpoint."
On his impression of QB Nico Iamaleava from his vantage point…
"I'm very impressed with him. The way he goes out there and commands the whole entire offense, he doesn't get flustered when things go break down a little bit, he doesn't get flustered, so you see the leadership qualities about him. You see the arm talent. The different arm angles that he's able to get the ball out, the way he's able to present the ball down the field. When he escapes the pocket as well, he's dangerous from a running standpoint as well. I think he holistically is a really good person and a really good player as well."
On how Dyan Sampson's power has improved…
"You look at his body and how his body has changed over the summer, he's put on really good weight. He does a really good job on second effort. Not allowing one guy to bring him down, exploding for plus-two past contact, which we talk about all the time. The extra weight gains that he's put on and the good weight has helped him tremendously and it hasn't made him lose step or speed or quickness that he has, so that's been good."
On the growth of RB Khalifa Keith…
"I think with Khalifa, you sit up there and you look at a guy that's 230 pounds that's explosive in terms of his first 20 yards. He does a really good job of running behind his pads. He does a really good job of putting his face on people in pass protection. I think Khalifa is totally different from where he was in the spring, holistically. I think in the spring, mentally he knew what to do, but he was trying to think too much instead of just cutting it loose and going out there and playing. Right now, he's actually going out there and playing. He's cutting it loose. He's maximizing his runs. When there's nothing there, he's going in there (and) banging it up in the line of scrimmage trying to run through smoke and doing a really good job of either getting us some positive gains or helping us stay out of negative-yardage situations."
On where he feels like the group is with pass protection…
"I feel like right now we're doing a really good job. No. 1, it always starts with the identification process, understanding who the MIKE point is and then understanding who we have off of that. I think fundamentally, it's something that you always can continue to get better at because sometimes guys know who to get, and then they go in there so aggressively, it's kind of like a bull in a china shop mentality just a little bit. But they've done a really good job of sticking their faces inside, making sure that they're keeping the quarterback upright. We haven't had too many busts in terms of pass protection this camp, knock on wood."
On how he's seen the group evolve in the passing game…
"They've done a good job in terms of taking the opportunities that they're given on the perimeter when we're able to get the ball in their hands. All of them bring a different skill set from that aspect, but all of them have reliable hands to where we're able to put the ball in their hands on the perimeter. It's all about what you do after the catch: the yards after the catch that come with it, but they've all done a good job of putting themselves in situations being able to catch the ball out of the backfield."
On how he would describe DeSean Bishop as a running back…
"I think when you look at DeSean, he's kind of your throwback football player from a mentality standpoint. He doesn't get flustered. He has his routine in terms of his body maintenance. He does a really good job when he comes out here and attacks. He's very hard on himself, so if he makes a mistake, he's frustrated with himself, but it doesn't affect him on the next play. When he gets in there, he does a really good job of running behind his pads. He's quick in between the tackles. He's got really good short-area quickness. His acceleration is good. He has good hands out of the backfield. He knows the things that he needs to fine tune and work on. For me, in terms of what I look at with him, I see him as an old-school throwback player. It's like that guy that you can just keep hitting and hitting and hitting and he just keeps getting stronger and stronger as the game goes on."
RS-Freshman RB DeSean Bishop
On his confidence in the offense…"My confidence is there right now. Getting more comfortable coming off of injury, just trying to get back in my flow and do what I'm doing. I feel like I'm doing that at a high level right now, and I'm just trying to get after it and prepare for the season. "
On his improvement in pass protection…
"In pass pro this off season, taking those mental reps, seeing guys like (Jaylen Wright) and do it at a high level, taking a little criticism from them and being in the film room. I'd say I strived hard this year in the offseason, being in the film room and trying to take those reps mentally and get focused on that, because I know it's a big deal being on the field and what not. You have to protect (Nico Iamaleava), so that's a pretty important thing I focused on."
On his workload change from high school to college…
"I hear a lot, talking about me carrying the ball a lot. That played a little bit into me coming here, but that's the mentality you have to have. I knew what I was getting into carrying the ball a lot, and I took that with pride. There's a lot to it, getting up here mentally, so it's just a mental strain. My junior year I had 442 carries and never thought about an injury at all. Never thought about getting hurt. I come here and get rolled up on wrong and it killed my season, but we're back and we're stronger than ever."
Sophomore RB Khalifa Keith
On what he has worked on specifically during the offseason..."Just being intentional with my reps and every rep I'm taking. Just being dialed in with the little details, whether that's like pass pro technique and getting my pads low on contact. Everything has kind of taken care of itself in this camp."
On what it's been like to have more opportunities in the scrimmages and practices...
'It was good. Obviously, just being in there with the ones it gives you confidence, a lot of confidence. Just like I said, taking advantage of every rep and every opportunity that comes my way. Just trying to be detailed and dialed in when your time comes."
On what his relationship is like with DeSean Bishop...
"It's good. I love the guy. We kind of learn from each other every day. Everybody in the running back room pushes each other. We have great conversations in the running back room. We laugh a lot and joke a lot. When it's time to dial in, he's locked in and I'm locked in, so we just make each other better.
RS-Sophomore WR Chris Brazzell II
On how much of getting comfortable within the offense has to do with his relationship with Nico Iamaleava…"Me and Nico have a good relationship. It's more of the plays on my end. Being able to know my assignment, play fast versus thinking before the play and not being as decisive during the play."
On if his physicality is more mentality or physically based…
"It comes from within you. If you want to block, then you can block. If you don't want to block, then you probably are going to not be able to block. It is a mindset thing for sure."
On how the competition has been at wide receiver with Bru McCoy, Mike Matthews and other guys now healthy…
"Having Bru back, it's crazy. He's a guy who plays physically, plays fast and knows his assignments. Having him back makes me go like, "Okay, I got to play fast. I got to play physically. I got to know my plays. He's busting his butt every play and knows his assignment every play. Mike's a young guy and really talented. Any way that I can help Mike, I'm going to help him."
Sophomore WR Kaleb Webb
On the competition in the wide receiver serving as motivation…"I love the competition; I feel like that is why you come to the SEC. You want to be pushed to your limit and reach your max potential. I feel like the receivers we already have, and the newcomers like Chris (Chris Brazzell II). It has definitely helped my game, as well as helped him develop, to allow us to give us the best shot to be playmakers this year."
On what he needs to improve on from what he learned when playing last season…
"I would just say finishing the big plays. 50/50 balls kind of make or break you in this league. And coming prepared — I wanted to dive deeper into film this year, make sure I am prepared for anything I will see in a game this year."
Players Mentioned
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