The 2023 Tennessee Vols posses an important trait that's common with championship teams
There was one thing abundantly obvious about the Tennessee Vols during UT football's media day on Tuesday. The 2023 Vols have a trait that's extremely common with championship-caliber teams. In fact, it's a trait that's essentially a requirement for a championship team. Tennessee is entering Josh Heupel's third season with a laser focus and […]
There was one thing abundantly obvious about the Tennessee Vols during UT football's media day on Tuesday.
The 2023 Vols have a trait that's extremely common with championship-caliber teams. In fact, it's a trait that's essentially a requirement for a championship team.
Tennessee is entering Josh Heupel's third season with a laser focus and determination that we haven't seen in Knoxville since Phillip Fulmer was in his prime at UT.
And sure, every team is "focused" this time of year. But Tennessee seems like they have a different kind of focus heading into the 2023 season. This feels like a team that's on a mission to accomplish something special this fall. There's a sense of urgency with the 2023 Vols.
Nothing from Tennessee's 2022 season will matter in 2023. The Vols' slate has been wiped clean and they'll start with the same 0-0 record as everyone else.
And no one understands that better than Tennessee's players and coaches. They aren't expecting another great season in 2023 just because they went 11-2 in 2022.
"We have a real sense of urgency inside of our program that starts with me having a sense of competitiveness and drive," said Heupel on Tuesday. "At the end of the day, there were a lot of great moments last year. None of that stuff comes with us. At the end of the day, last year there were a lot of goals that we didn't reach. This group has been really intentional about pushing forward and putting ourselves in a position to go chase some of those things."
Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks echoed Heupel's sentiments while speaking with reporters on Tuesday.
"For us, personally, we realize that what you did last year was last year," explained Banks. "I think at this point, we're continuing to chop wood and carry water so to speak, to get ready for this upcoming season. From a confidence perspective, obviously that's great. But, as I told the kids, experience is only good when you can go back and learn from it, whether it was good or bad. If we learn from it and build upon it, then it's something that can become special. We can't carry over any tackles. We can't carry over any interceptions. We have to earn them again during camp, and that's honestly the goal."
It's not just the coaches that are putting 2022 in the rear view mirror. Tennessee's players — especially some of their main team leaders — are doing the same thing.
"It's a new year, a new time — it really doesn't matter what we did last year," said senior linebacker Aaron Beasley. "That's in the past. All that matters is what we do this year. That's the main thing we're focusing on."
The worst thing that can happen to a team is complacency. But that's clearly not an issue with Tennessee's players and coaches. Even though they had a great season in 2022, they feel like they came up short. And they're hungry to take the program to new heights in 2023.
Tennessee offensive coordinator speaks on bond between QBs Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava
Tennessee Vols offensive coordinator Joey Halzle spoke on the bond between QBs Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
