Tennessee Vols: Why Josh Heupel doesn't have a depth chart after spring practice
The Tennessee Vols wrapped up the first spring of the Josh Heupel era last month with a lot of unanswered questions. But that's somewhat by design. Tennessee's quarterback competition — along with every other position battle — is wide open. There are no starters as the Vols enter the summer months. That's not because Tennessee […]
The Tennessee Vols wrapped up the first spring of the Josh Heupel era last month with a lot of unanswered questions.
But that's somewhat by design.
Tennessee's quarterback competition — along with every other position battle — is wide open. There are no starters as the Vols enter the summer months.
That's not because Tennessee had players who failed to step up during spring practice — it's because Heupel understands that 15 practices are nowhere near enough to formulate a sound depth chart.
"You find out a lot during 15 practices in spring ball, but there is still so much growth that happens,” said Heupel in an interview this week with Outkick 360. “That’s why you don’t come out of spring ball with a set depth chart because in May, June, and July your players have the opportunity to completely change who they are physically. Mentally, they have an opportunity to re-digest everything that’s happened and become a completely different player by the time they get to training camp or by kickoff."
"You’ve got to let kids go through that growth pattern," added Heupel.
Heupel almost certainly won't name a starting quarterback until he has the other 10 positions on the offensive side of the ball locked in.
The first-year Vols head coach said this week that the rest of the offensive starters will help determine who starts at quarterback for Tennessee in 2021.
"Offensively, it’s all about who are the personnel that’s competing at a championship level," said Heupel. "What is the personnel makeup of who you are? That’s wide receivers. That’s tight ends. That’s running backs. It’s your offensive line, too. Knowing your strengths and knowing your weaknesses. Asking players to do things they can be successful at."
"We’re going to be different than at the previous two stops because our personnel is different. We’re going to find a trigger guy and match that with the personnel we have outside at our skill spots to give us the best chance to be successful.”
Heupel has a plan. He's not making it up as he goes along. That should comfort Vol fans, considering previous Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt appeared to be in over his head at various points during his tenure.
That won't be the case with Heupel — he's done this before and he knows what it takes to be successful.
Featured image via Tennessee Athletic Communications
