Former Alabama QB Bryce Young proves Vols coach correct about Tennessee's offense translating to the NFL
Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young probably doesn't realize it, but he helped proved a point on Wednesday that was made just hours earlier by Tennessee Vols wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope. Pope met with reporters after Tennessee's practice on Wednesday. The second year Vols wide receivers coach was asked by a reporter about the criticisms […]
Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young probably doesn't realize it, but he helped proved a point on Wednesday that was made just hours earlier by Tennessee Vols wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope.
Pope met with reporters after Tennessee's practice on Wednesday.
The second year Vols wide receivers coach was asked by a reporter about the criticisms of Tennessee's offense (whether or not it translates to the NFL) amid the recent success of former Vols wide receivers Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt during NFL training camp.
Pope argued that football is all about one-on-one matchups. And it simply comes down to each side of the ball trying to win those matchups.
"Our offense puts guys in situations to win one-on-one matchups," explained Pope. "Defenses are supposed to stop guys in those one on one situations, right? It doesn't matter at the end of the day what the scheme is or what the play call is.”
"I'm given a technique to beat a defensive player," added Pope. "He's (the defender) given a technique to beat me. If I'm beating him 10 out of 10 times, I can translate that on any level. And that's what it comes down to….That's what those guys (Vols wide receivers in the NFL) have learned to do. And that's what they showed on Saturdays."
Young, the No. 1 overall selection by the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL Draft, was asked later on Wednesday afternoon at Panthers training camp about having different No. 1 receiver options on each of Carolina's plays.
The former Alabama quarterback told reporters that it's all about reading the coverage of the defense based on the one-on-one matchups the Panthers have — which is essentially what Tennessee ask its quarterbacks to do.
"We have a plethora of guys who can be number one guys…it changes from play to play," explained Young. "Because of that, I feel like it makes us more versatile. So, I think it's an advantage really, again, for me to know the concept, to try to dictate where my eyes go based off of the coverage."
"We have a bunch of guys that step up and we're confident in winning one-on-one matchups and getting open," added Young. "And for me, that's the hard part. So I just do my best to find them and get them the ball."
Tennessee might have a unique way of calling plays — and that's true of every college program (former Bama running back Jahmyr Gibbs admitted recently that it's been an adjustment to the NFL because of how Alabama called plays) — but ultimately, the Vols are trying to do the same thing that NFL teams are trying to do — they're just trying to win one-on-one matchups.
Young might be a former Alabama star, but his words on Wednesday might help Tennessee win a few recruiting battles.
Vols newcomer confirms other programs are using UT’s offense to negatively recruit against Tennessee
A Vols newcomer confirmed that other programs are using UT’s offense to negatively recruit against Tennessee
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
