Tennessee coach pegs most impressive newcomer in Vols' secondary
The Tennessee Volunteers have a lot of young and/or new faces in their secondary this spring as the coaching staff looks to discover their best options going into next fall. That's a natural result when you lose names like Kamal Hadden, Jaylen McCollough, Tamarion McDonald, Doneiko Slaughter, Warren Burrell, and several others either through the […]
The Tennessee Volunteers have a lot of young and/or new faces in their secondary this spring as the coaching staff looks to discover their best options going into next fall. That's a natural result when you lose names like Kamal Hadden, Jaylen McCollough, Tamarion McDonald, Doneiko Slaughter, Warren Burrell, and several others either through the end of eligibility or the portal.
So far, one particular individual has impressed Tennessee defensive backs coach Willie Martinez: Temple transfer Jalen McMurray. Martinez met with the media on Monday and was highly complementary of the rising redshirt junior defender.
"He's been – out of the new guys – the most consistent player," Martinez said. "Meaning where he's making production every day. You can see it. He's got great instincts. He's smart. He actually knows the plays before the plays are being run. Kind of like he has that knack about him. And he's been the most consistent player each day. So, it's really great to see because we needed that competition which helps those other young guys that are developing and see that we've brought some guys in here to compete for a starting job, and he's doing a great job."
McMurray admitted he's played with a chip on his shoulder coming out of high school, being largely overlooked by major programs.
"I feel like that's kind of how I play. I play with a chip on my shoulder. I was underrecruited coming out of high school. So being at the high school I was at, playing with the people I played with, and getting to college I was underrecruited like what was said, and I feel like I've always played with a chip on my shoulder. So, yes."
McMurray, a 6'0" 180-pound defensive back from Temple, announced his transfer to Tennessee back in early January. He brings some much-needed experience to the secondary. He started 11 games last year for the Owls, totaling 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 4 pass break ups. McMurray was a consensus 2021 three-star recruit out of Gonzaga College High School in Upper Marlboro, MD.
It seems he's already managed to make a name for himself among his coaches in spring ball. We'll find out on April 13 at Neyland Stadium if he can build upon his early momentum when Tennessee holds its annual Orange and White game.
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