Tennessee Vols HC Josh Heupel likely won't be in favor of one potential proposal at the SEC meetings in Destin
Welcome to the end of May, when the SEC commissioner (Greg Sankey) gets together in Destin, FL with the SEC head coaches to discuss new proposals and the latest happenings (of which there have been plenty) in college football. (If the SEC really wants to increase their revenue, they'll allow cameras in the SEC meetings […]
Welcome to the end of May, when the SEC commissioner (Greg Sankey) gets together in Destin, FL with the SEC head coaches to discuss new proposals and the latest happenings (of which there have been plenty) in college football.
(If the SEC really wants to increase their revenue, they'll allow cameras in the SEC meetings and sell the footage to Netflix.)
One of the items that's set to be discussed at this year's meetings is whether or not the SEC should adopt similar rules as the NFL when it comes to reporting injuries.
According to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger, "the" SEC will hold conversations this week about the possible implementation of college athlete 'availability reports' leading up to games".
Essentially, the league is going to discuss the possibility of using "injury reports", which is when an injured player has to be added to a report with a designation (in the NFL, it's 'out', 'doubtful', or 'questionable'….the league did away with the 'probable' designation in 2016).
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel is one of the more coy coaches in college football when it comes to discussing injuries. The former national championship-winning quarterback typically reveals as little as possible while referring to vague return dates (for injured players) when speaking to the media about injuries.
For example, just weeks before the 2023 season was set to begin, Heupel appeared to suggest that starting center Cooper Mays would be available for the season-opener.
"We believe we'll have an opportunity to have him back," said Heupel when asked about Mays' availability for the season opener in mid-August. "Everything's gone well since he missed training camp and had the issue that he had."
Mays didn’t make his season debut in 2023 until Tennessee’s fifth game of the year (a win against South Carolina).
Heupel clearly isn't a fan of oversharing when it comes to injury timelines/information. And that's more than fair — there's no reason to give away more information than necessary to the opponent.
If the conversation about adding an injury report to the SEC progresses to the point where there's a vote, it wouldn't be a surprise if Heupel — unless it's clear that the overwhelming majority of coaches plan to vote in favor — votes against a rule that requires coaches to submit a weekly injury report.
Only in the SEC can be there injury report drama in late May.
AFC executive details bizarre pre-draft concern about former Tennessee Vols QB Joe Milton
Not sure about that one
