University of Tennessee Athletics
Defensive Depth Sparks Anticipation For Game Week
August 23, 2024 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With the first week of classes wrapping up and only eight days remaining until Tennessee football's 2024 season opener, the anticipation builds every day the Vols suit up for practice on Haslam Field. After Friday's morning session on the practice turf, members of UT's defensive unit spoke to local media and discussed preparations for the Aug. 31 matchup with Chattanooga as the Vols go through a 'mock game week' that concludes this weekend.
Entering his fourth year as Tennessee's defensive coordinator, Tim Banks detailed his excitement for the unit's depth at all three levels that has been built up over his time in Knoxville.
"I think the one thing I am excited about is what I mentioned when I came, the first time we had this press conference, is just our overall depth," Banks said. "I know we talked a lot about our front and all the moving parts we have there, but as I said earlier, I feel really good about the linebacker position. I think we have a lot of guys that we can plug and play. Then with the secondary, we are young, but I think we are talented … I just think the overall depth we have, we can get a lot of guys in and give guys opportunities to showcase their skillset."
Redshirt senior linebacker Keenan Pili spoke to media on Friday as well and is gearing up for his first game action inside Neyland Stadium. The seventh-year standout brings a detail-oriented approach to his second season with the Vols after missing the final 12 games of the 2023 campaign due to injury.
"Coach Inge talks about it all the time in our linebacker room, being the most prepared players on the field," Pilie said. "I feel like that's something I really dove into, especially with my brothers in the room and on defense. I think that's been a real big focus.
"Coming into my last year, playing college football for this long, I'm just excited to have one more opportunity to do so, to do it in front of the fans here in Tennessee, to be able to put on a show. It's just exciting because we've put in a lot of effort this offseason. I can't wait."
Full comments from Banks and select quotes from Pili, redshirt junior defensive back Jalen McMurray and redshirt junior defensive back Jakobe Thomas can be found below.Tennessee Football Press Conference | Aug. 23, 2024
On how Boo Carter's maturity has grown and how confident are they in him...
"Yeah, I'm excited about Boo, just like a lot of our freshmen. Obviously with the situation we are in, his learning curve had to speed up a little bit. He's coming along. I think at the end of the day, just like most freshmen, there are still some things he can continue to improve on, but he has been working his tail off and he's doing everything he can to get ready. We're excited about him. We think he is going to have a really good year for us."
On where Jakobe Thomas is in the rotation and what he needs to see from him...
"Yeah, I think it's a fluid situation for everybody. Jakobe has had a really good camp, from spring and even this fall. I like where he is at, to be honest with you. He is a good tackler for us. He has a good physical presence in that backend and the sides we cover. I'm excited about where he is and his development. You know, I have to see it in games, but I have to see all these guys play in games. Practice is one thing and obviously playing in games is another thing, but if he stays true to what he has done, I think he will have a big year as well."
On the linebacker room and how William Inge has slid perfectly into coaching that group...
"I think the first part of what you said, exactly what you said, is right. We have more depth than we have had since I have been here, and I'm really excited about that group. I think we have done a really good job of recruiting in that room. I think the sky's the limit for those guys. We are going to play a lot more guys there than we have had in the past; that's just because they had earned it. As far as Coach Inge, he's exactly what you think he would be. He's a veteran coach. He's been a coordinator. He has a great personality that those guys can relate to. He keeps it fun. He keeps it light, but at the same time he's probably one of the better teachers I have been around. I'm excited about Coach Inge. I have said ever since I have been here, we have a great staff, and he's been a great addition to that."
On what he has liked about this defensive group and what areas they have grown…
"I think the reality of it is you are never satisfied. I think there are a lot of things that we can continue to improve on. I think the one thing I am excited about is what I mentioned when I came, the first time we had this press conference, is just our overall depth. I know we talked a lot about our front and all the moving parts we have there, but as I said earlier, I feel really good about the linebacker position. I think we have a lot of guys that we can plug and play. Then with the secondary, we are young, but I think we are talented. We talked about Boo Carter. We talked about Jakobe Thomas, but there are a lot more guys that are going to come in and play this season. I just think the overall depth we have, we can get a lot of guys in and give guys opportunities to showcase their skillset."
On how Andre Turrentine's patience has been beneficial for him...
"I don't know how patient any of these guys are. I think if you had it up to Andre, he would have been starting his first year, but he has worked hard. He has never wavered. He's always been a strong personality back there, a quarterback of the defense, whether he was third string, second string or first string. He's always had the great intent to practice hard and be prepared when his opportunity comes, so I'm happy for him. He has worked really hard, and he will have a chance to showcase his skillset this season."
On how the development has been with some of the younger defensive ends...
"It starts with Joshua Joesphs. Obviously, he has played a ton of football around here. We are really excited about what he brings to the table. I don't want to leave anybody out, but I think that whole room, all those LEOs really have a chance to be special for us. We have always tried to rotate those guys a ton. Even last year, even (James Pearce Jr.) rotated a ton. That's when he had a chance to showcase his skillset, and he got better every single game and every single week. We expect the same type of productivity from the back-up guys that are rotated in this season as well, but definitely Joshua Josephs had a really good camp for us to this point."
On how different Caleb Herring is at the wing game...
" Man, that's a great question. I sometimes don't even recognize him. He has always been a long kid obviously, but now you see the pounds on him. He is just playing with a lot more speed to power. I expect him to have a really good year as well. He is one of the guys we are talking about. I think the size and the weight gain he has is a positive way. He didn't rush it. It's all muscle. He's still moving around the way he moved around as a smaller guy, but he's just doing it with more bulk. We're excited for him."
"Obviously it's a team sport, so I'm willing to do whatever it takes for us to be the best in the nation. Whether that's inside, outside, when they tell me to play defensive line, I will try my best to do that. Just being able to step in and really be an asset to help this team be successful."
On what the adjustment has been like coming from a school in Philadelphia to Knoxville…
"It's different. Obviously in Philadelphia you have the city and the people, but here I've loved every second. When you are walking around campus, going to class, even when you walk in here you really feel the feel for sports as a whole and how together and invested everyone is. I'm really excited to be able to play in front of all those people."
"It feels like forever for me. I just can't wait to play football again and run through the T with pads on. That's one thing I'm looking forward to is playing in Neyland for the first time (after) not being able to have that experience and actually being able to play. Excited for that, feeling good. Can't wait."
On his approach to the season entering this seventh year of football…
"Ready. Coach Inge talks about it all the time in our linebacker room, being the most prepared players on the field. I feel like that's something I really dove into, especially with my brothers in the room and on defense, I think that's been a real big focus. Coming into my last year, playing college football for this long, I'm just excited to have one more opportunity to do so, to do it in front of the fans here in Tennessee, to be able to put on a show. It's just exciting because we've put in a lot of effort this offseason. Can't wait."
"Definitely when I came in the winter and I met with Coach Banks, we talked a little bit of defense, but it's hard to say I knew a lot then. But this spring, I kind of was getting familiar with it, and now that we have fall camp just wrapped up, I'm definitely very comfortable in the defense. I feel like I know it like the back of my hand, so I feel like I'm really comfortable in that now."
On his personal history with Tennessee…
"I grew up a Tennessee fan, but I never got the chance to come to Neyland, so I've always watched the games from the outside in. Next Saturday will be my first time stepping in with a full crowd and actually being able to be a part of the experience … I'm counting (the days) down. I'm super excited. They say Vol fans are the craziest, so I'm so excited to just walk into Neyland and play a game."
Entering his fourth year as Tennessee's defensive coordinator, Tim Banks detailed his excitement for the unit's depth at all three levels that has been built up over his time in Knoxville.
"I think the one thing I am excited about is what I mentioned when I came, the first time we had this press conference, is just our overall depth," Banks said. "I know we talked a lot about our front and all the moving parts we have there, but as I said earlier, I feel really good about the linebacker position. I think we have a lot of guys that we can plug and play. Then with the secondary, we are young, but I think we are talented … I just think the overall depth we have, we can get a lot of guys in and give guys opportunities to showcase their skillset."
Redshirt senior linebacker Keenan Pili spoke to media on Friday as well and is gearing up for his first game action inside Neyland Stadium. The seventh-year standout brings a detail-oriented approach to his second season with the Vols after missing the final 12 games of the 2023 campaign due to injury.
"Coach Inge talks about it all the time in our linebacker room, being the most prepared players on the field," Pilie said. "I feel like that's something I really dove into, especially with my brothers in the room and on defense. I think that's been a real big focus.
"Coming into my last year, playing college football for this long, I'm just excited to have one more opportunity to do so, to do it in front of the fans here in Tennessee, to be able to put on a show. It's just exciting because we've put in a lot of effort this offseason. I can't wait."
Full comments from Banks and select quotes from Pili, redshirt junior defensive back Jalen McMurray and redshirt junior defensive back Jakobe Thomas can be found below.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Aug. 23, 2024
Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks
On how Boo Carter's maturity has grown and how confident are they in him..."Yeah, I'm excited about Boo, just like a lot of our freshmen. Obviously with the situation we are in, his learning curve had to speed up a little bit. He's coming along. I think at the end of the day, just like most freshmen, there are still some things he can continue to improve on, but he has been working his tail off and he's doing everything he can to get ready. We're excited about him. We think he is going to have a really good year for us."
On where Jakobe Thomas is in the rotation and what he needs to see from him...
"Yeah, I think it's a fluid situation for everybody. Jakobe has had a really good camp, from spring and even this fall. I like where he is at, to be honest with you. He is a good tackler for us. He has a good physical presence in that backend and the sides we cover. I'm excited about where he is and his development. You know, I have to see it in games, but I have to see all these guys play in games. Practice is one thing and obviously playing in games is another thing, but if he stays true to what he has done, I think he will have a big year as well."
On the linebacker room and how William Inge has slid perfectly into coaching that group...
"I think the first part of what you said, exactly what you said, is right. We have more depth than we have had since I have been here, and I'm really excited about that group. I think we have done a really good job of recruiting in that room. I think the sky's the limit for those guys. We are going to play a lot more guys there than we have had in the past; that's just because they had earned it. As far as Coach Inge, he's exactly what you think he would be. He's a veteran coach. He's been a coordinator. He has a great personality that those guys can relate to. He keeps it fun. He keeps it light, but at the same time he's probably one of the better teachers I have been around. I'm excited about Coach Inge. I have said ever since I have been here, we have a great staff, and he's been a great addition to that."
On what he has liked about this defensive group and what areas they have grown…
"I think the reality of it is you are never satisfied. I think there are a lot of things that we can continue to improve on. I think the one thing I am excited about is what I mentioned when I came, the first time we had this press conference, is just our overall depth. I know we talked a lot about our front and all the moving parts we have there, but as I said earlier, I feel really good about the linebacker position. I think we have a lot of guys that we can plug and play. Then with the secondary, we are young, but I think we are talented. We talked about Boo Carter. We talked about Jakobe Thomas, but there are a lot more guys that are going to come in and play this season. I just think the overall depth we have, we can get a lot of guys in and give guys opportunities to showcase their skillset."
On how Andre Turrentine's patience has been beneficial for him...
"I don't know how patient any of these guys are. I think if you had it up to Andre, he would have been starting his first year, but he has worked hard. He has never wavered. He's always been a strong personality back there, a quarterback of the defense, whether he was third string, second string or first string. He's always had the great intent to practice hard and be prepared when his opportunity comes, so I'm happy for him. He has worked really hard, and he will have a chance to showcase his skillset this season."
On how the development has been with some of the younger defensive ends...
"It starts with Joshua Joesphs. Obviously, he has played a ton of football around here. We are really excited about what he brings to the table. I don't want to leave anybody out, but I think that whole room, all those LEOs really have a chance to be special for us. We have always tried to rotate those guys a ton. Even last year, even (James Pearce Jr.) rotated a ton. That's when he had a chance to showcase his skillset, and he got better every single game and every single week. We expect the same type of productivity from the back-up guys that are rotated in this season as well, but definitely Joshua Josephs had a really good camp for us to this point."
On how different Caleb Herring is at the wing game...
" Man, that's a great question. I sometimes don't even recognize him. He has always been a long kid obviously, but now you see the pounds on him. He is just playing with a lot more speed to power. I expect him to have a really good year as well. He is one of the guys we are talking about. I think the size and the weight gain he has is a positive way. He didn't rush it. It's all muscle. He's still moving around the way he moved around as a smaller guy, but he's just doing it with more bulk. We're excited for him."
RS-Junior DB Jalen McMurray
On embracing his role for this season as a newcomer…"Obviously it's a team sport, so I'm willing to do whatever it takes for us to be the best in the nation. Whether that's inside, outside, when they tell me to play defensive line, I will try my best to do that. Just being able to step in and really be an asset to help this team be successful."
On what the adjustment has been like coming from a school in Philadelphia to Knoxville…
"It's different. Obviously in Philadelphia you have the city and the people, but here I've loved every second. When you are walking around campus, going to class, even when you walk in here you really feel the feel for sports as a whole and how together and invested everyone is. I'm really excited to be able to play in front of all those people."
RS-Senior LB Keenan Pili
On getting back out and competing in a game after time off…"It feels like forever for me. I just can't wait to play football again and run through the T with pads on. That's one thing I'm looking forward to is playing in Neyland for the first time (after) not being able to have that experience and actually being able to play. Excited for that, feeling good. Can't wait."
On his approach to the season entering this seventh year of football…
"Ready. Coach Inge talks about it all the time in our linebacker room, being the most prepared players on the field. I feel like that's something I really dove into, especially with my brothers in the room and on defense, I think that's been a real big focus. Coming into my last year, playing college football for this long, I'm just excited to have one more opportunity to do so, to do it in front of the fans here in Tennessee, to be able to put on a show. It's just exciting because we've put in a lot of effort this offseason. Can't wait."
RS-Junior DB Jakobe Thomas
On how much he has learned about the defense since arriving at Tennessee…"Definitely when I came in the winter and I met with Coach Banks, we talked a little bit of defense, but it's hard to say I knew a lot then. But this spring, I kind of was getting familiar with it, and now that we have fall camp just wrapped up, I'm definitely very comfortable in the defense. I feel like I know it like the back of my hand, so I feel like I'm really comfortable in that now."
On his personal history with Tennessee…
"I grew up a Tennessee fan, but I never got the chance to come to Neyland, so I've always watched the games from the outside in. Next Saturday will be my first time stepping in with a full crowd and actually being able to be a part of the experience … I'm counting (the days) down. I'm super excited. They say Vol fans are the craziest, so I'm so excited to just walk into Neyland and play a game."
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