Tennessee Vols have something present in spring practice that gives the program a real chance to have a special season
A lot will have to go right for the Tennessee Vols to win a national championship in 2024. But that's true for every program that hopes to win a natty. Players have to stay healthy and perform up to expectations. Coaches have to stay locked in throughout the season. The goal — to win every […]
A lot will have to go right for the Tennessee Vols to win a national championship in 2024.
But that's true for every program that hopes to win a natty.
Players have to stay healthy and perform up to expectations. Coaches have to stay locked in throughout the season. The goal — to win every single day — has to be the main focus.
One of the most important ingredients when it comes to a championship program is competition.
It sounds cliché, but it's true. There has to competition every day at every position. It's what breeds greatness. It's what pushes players, regardless of their status on the team, to continue to improve.
And it's something that Tennessee has present in spring practice — specifically when it comes to the younger players.
Vols head coach Josh Heupel met with reporters on Wednesday and he explained how Tennessee's younger players "aren't taking a backseat" to anyone.
“Their competitive spirit when they’ve been out on the practice field, those young guys don’t take a backseat to anybody," said Heupel. "Individual drills, they are up in the front of the line. They’re constantly pushing to get reps. They’ve been great inside of the meeting room in the early part of spring ball. They expect themselves to do the right things and be mature, be a vet almost as far as their understanding of the game. Those guys continue to compete in a really good way on offense, defense and special teams."
If you're an upperclassman and there are younger players loaded with talent behind you that are pushing you every day, it brings out the best in you.
When that type of competitiveness is present, a special season is possible.
Every program is loaded with talent. Some programs, of course, have more talent than others. But the line between a 6-6 season and a 10-2 season is incredibly thin. Playing hard for 60 minutes, taking care of the details, and pushing each other for playing time can be the difference in a spot in the College Football Playoff and a spot in the Music City Bowl.
Obviously it all has to translate on the field this fall for the Volunteers, but for now, in March, it feels like Tennessee has all the ingredients of a true championship contender.
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