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Apr. 14—There has been plenty written and said so far this spring when it comes to Tennessee’s new up-tempo offense under new football coach Josh Heupel, both from the offensive pieces and from those trying to stop it.
Following Tuesday’s practice, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee and defensive line coach Rodney Garner provided an update from the trenches.
“I think the guys are buying into it,” Garner said of his front. “It’s a little different schematically. Last year, they were more mirror-step, and we’re more attack and react now. They understand that we’re trying to play vertical and that we’re trying to play two yards on the other side of the line of scrimmage.”
Earning Garner’s praise the quickest has been 6-foot-3, 240-pound Byron Young, a member of Tennessee’s 2021 signing class who arrived in Knoxville by way of Georgia Military College.
“BY has continued to improve and is trending upward,” Garner said. “He hangs on to everything you say.”
Tuesday marked Tennessee’s ninth of 15 spring practices, continuing the buildup to the Orange & White Game on April 24, which has a 4 p.m.start.
The Orange & White Game will be free to all fans, with the university announcing Tuesday that the main bowl of Neyland Stadium will be general admission seating. As part of social distancing guidelines due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, every other row in Neyland’s lower level will be utilized.
Neyland’s gates will open at 2:30, and face coverings are required upon entry and when moving throughout the stadium.
When asked Tuesday about his offensive line, Elarbee described it as an interesting combination.
“We’ve got a lot of older guys who have played a lot of ball and are really savvy — a Cade Mays, a Jerome Carvin — guys who play the game on a little different level,” Elarbee said. “Then we have a bunch of young guys who give unbelievable effort. They just have to learn the game. It’s a great blend, and we’re trying to get our older guys to help our younger guys along.”
Mays played all five positions during his two seasons at Georgia and continues to display versatility. When asked what position the 6-6, 325-pounder from Knox Catholic would primarily play, Elarbee said, “Wherever he fits best with the other guys.”
Elarbee is back in the Southeastern Conference for the first time since serving as Missouri’s offensive line coach in the 2016-17 seasons, when Heupel was the offensive coordinator under Barry Odom. Garner has worked in the SEC since becoming an Auburn strength and conditioning assistant in 1990, and the old-school rhetoric he has used throughout the years has not subsided.
“I’ve told our guys that this is not a democracy,” Garner said. “This is a benevolent dictatorship. That means that it’s loving, but it’s only one way. They do not vote. I have the only vote.
“I’m the chief, and they’re the Indians, and that’s how we’re going to do things.”
Contact David Paschall at [email protected] or 423-757-6524.
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