'I'm not sure I necessarily agree with all of what you just said' – Josh Heupel pushes back on misconception about Tennessee
Over the last several years, Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel has been forced to push back against the narrative that his offense doesn't translate to the NFL. Heupel's unique up-tempo offense utilizes wide splits while trying to create favorable matchups for Tennessee's top playmakers. Some folks — from ESPN to UConn head coach Jim […]
Over the last several years, Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel has been forced to push back against the narrative that his offense doesn't translate to the NFL.
Heupel's unique up-tempo offense utilizes wide splits while trying to create favorable matchups for Tennessee's top playmakers.
Some folks — from ESPN to UConn head coach Jim Mora — have consistently suggested that Heupel's offense doesn't translate to the next level.
"Teams are skeptical of Tennessee's college-friendly Air Raid system that coaches and scouts say allows quarterbacks to read half the field on on-read plays while stationary, which isn't life in the NFL," noted ESPN's Jeremy Fowler in early 2024.
On Tuesday, at Tennessee's pro day, Heupel was asked specifically about his confidence in former Vols wide receiver Dont'e Thornton's ability to have success in a "wider route tree" in the NFL.
Heupel quickly made it known that he didn't necessarily agree with the "wider route tree" comment.
"What's your confidence that Dont'e can have success in a wider route tree in the NFL," asked the reporter.
"I'm not sure I necessarily agree with all of what you just said," responded Heupel. "Some of the spacing (is different) for sure. But Dont'e's got elite speed, great understanding of space, settling in zones, running versus man (coverage), the ability to take the top of the coverage off. You look at him leading the country in yards per catch….you just look at what he did from year one to year two here. His best football is out in front of him."
The questions about Heupel's offense have mostly come from national media folks who don't fully understand it, or rival programs who are looking for an edge against Tennessee in recruiting.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, for example, said in 2023 that he doesn't think Tennessee's offense is "really that different".
"I mean, I wouldn't say it's really that different," said Daboll when asked about Heupel's offense. "I know everybody — I think Josh does a fantastic job there. Runs a lot of good football plays. He executed them well, Jalin did. Everybody runs a different offense. It's not exactly the same, but Josh has had a pretty dynamic offense ever since he's coached."
Until Heupel puts a wide receiver or quarterback in the NFL that becomes an annual Pro Bowler, he's probably going to continue to face questions about his offense. That's not necessarily fair — Heupel has no control over how his players develop in the NFL — but that's probably the reality that the fifth-year Tennessee. head coach is facing.
Former Tennessee Vols WR Jalin Hyatt is officially in a bad situation with the New York Giants
Not good for the former Vol
