Tennessee coach says Vols redshirt senior will 'surprise' some people in 2023
A Tennessee Vols redshirt senior could be in line for a breakout season in 2023. Vols tight end Jacob Warren has played a lot of football for Tennessee — he's been with the program since 2018 — but he hasn't put up huge numbers during his career. Warren's best season came in 2021 when he […]
A Tennessee Vols redshirt senior could be in line for a breakout season in 2023.
Vols tight end Jacob Warren has played a lot of football for Tennessee — he's been with the program since 2018 — but he hasn't put up huge numbers during his career.
Warren's best season came in 2021 when he caught 18 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns.
Part of the reason why Warren hasn't put up bigger numbers is because he's been through a lot of change during his time at Tennessee. He's played under multiple head coaches and offensive coordinators while learning a position that's traditionally difficult to learn (tight end is almost like playing two positions with the blocking responsibilities plus the receiving aspect).
2023, however, could be the season when Warren, who has been a vital part of the Vols' success despite not putting up huge numbers, finally breaks out and reaches his full potential.
Tennessee tight ends coach Alec Abeln certainly thinks that could be the case — especially when it comes to Warren catching the ball in space.
"I think he's gotten better," said Abeln. "Just body control in the route — I think he's gonna surprise a lot of people in space this year. And I think he's gotten a lot better at that stuff just from a fundamental level."
Warren is viewed as a player who essentially acts as an extension of the coaching staff on the field, which is incredibly valuable.
But it sounds like he's going to be adding some value to the passing game this season as well, which makes him an even more important player for the Vols.
By the way, Warren didn't receive praise from just Abeln on Thursday. True freshman tight end Ethan Davis gave Warren one of the biggest compliments a player can receive.
"I've known Jacob since like junior year like when I committed," said Davis. "I mean, you want to be Jacob Warren. You want your son to be Jacob Warren. And so I really look up to Jacob as a big brother and I'm really proud of him. He's a great role model. I really look up to him."
Warren may not be the biggest star on the Vols' roster, but he embodies everything that Tennessee football is about under Josh Heupel — professionalism, leadership, hard work, and fun.
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Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
