Playing on special teams isn't glamorous.

In the NFL, it's a role usually reserved for backup players who don't see a lot of time on the field with the starters.

But it's an important facet of the game that can often be the difference in a win and a loss.

"For us, we feel like we need to win that phase of the game (special teams) every single week," said Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel this week. "To do that, you’ve got to play your best players. Does that mean a starting DB or wide receiver is going to play on all four special teams? Probably not. But they're going to play a role on our team’s unit."

"Those units as much as anything offensive and defensive, they have to have your trust as a coach," added Heupel. "And that's the process that we'll go through. All of our guys all spring long took special teams reps. I don't care if we were on punt, punt return, kickoff coverage, kick return – everybody was repping."

Getting those "best players" to buy-in to playing on special teams, however, can be tricky.

So how have the Vols managed to do it?

They've used the NFL angle. They've made players understand that NFL scouts are going to want to see film of players on special teams because that's the role those players could be filling in the NFL as rookies. And having some quality special teams work on film could give those players the edge over another player in the draft.

"What we do is we take every rep that we do in practice and we put them in a folder," said special teams coach Mike Ekeler on Friday. "So let’s say you have a starter that’s only played on one. And the (NFL) scout is coming in and saying shoot, man, can he play on kickoff? Can he play on punt? I’ll pull up the tape and be like it’s right here. This is rated R. You kidding me? That’s what we do to identify those guys."

This Tennessee coaching staff could easily just tell players "hey, this is what you're going to do because we're the coaches and what we say goes". But instead, they're taking the time to explain to kids why playing on special teams is beneficial for both the team and their NFL futures.

That's how coaches get kids to buy into every aspect of a program.

So far, the new Vols coaching staff is pushing all the right buttons. We'll see if it pays off in the form of wins this fall.

Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services