Tennessee defender shows respect and appreciation for Vols legend
The Tennessee Vols welcomed former UT linebacker Al Wilson to practice on Saturday. Wilson was a team captain on Tennessee's 1998 national championship squad. The Jackson, TN native was a two-time first-team All-SEC member before getting selected in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He would reach five Pro […]
The Tennessee Vols welcomed former UT linebacker Al Wilson to practice on Saturday.
Wilson was a team captain on Tennessee's 1998 national championship squad. The Jackson, TN native was a two-time first-team All-SEC member before getting selected in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He would reach five Pro Bowls during his eight year NFL career (which was shortened due to injuries).
After practice on Saturday, Vols sophomore linebacker Arion Carter was asked about having Wilson at practice.
Carter, a former four-star recruit, told reporters that he was "kind of starstruck" by Wilson.
"It was great, I couldn't wait to talk to him," said Carter with a wide smile. "He actually came up to us and I was kind of starstruck. I see this guy during the '98 season who is a dog, countless and fearless. He is just somebody you want to emulate and be better than — you aspire to be better than or be just at that standard that he brung to Tennessee. It was just great being able to pick his brain and really just be around greatness like that."
Josh Heupel is known as an offensive minded head coach, but he hasn't been shy about letting it be known that the expectation at Tennessee is to play elite defense, which is why it wasn't a surprise to see Wilson featured at at UT practice.
"The expectation and the standard is to play elite defense here, not just good defense," said Heupel after Tennessee's win against Texas A&M last season. "This is the home of Eric Berry, Al Wilson, Reggie White. The standard is to be elite.”
There's an obvious appreciation from Heupel and his staff for the greats that came before them at Tennessee. And that appreciation has clearly permeated to players like Carter.
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