Vols newcomer details tough love from DL coach Rodney Garner and why he loves it
Tennessee Vols newcomer Chandavian Bradley, a true freshman edge rusher from Platte City, MO, hasn't been in Knoxville long — he enrolled at UT in late May — but he's quickly learned about defensive line coach Rodney Garner's "tough love". Bradley met with the media on Wednesday after Tennessee's first fall practice and he told […]
Tennessee Vols newcomer Chandavian Bradley, a true freshman edge rusher from Platte City, MO, hasn't been in Knoxville long — he enrolled at UT in late May — but he's quickly learned about defensive line coach Rodney Garner's "tough love".
Bradley met with the media on Wednesday after Tennessee's first fall practice and he told a great story about the moment he went from recruit to player in Garner's eyes.
"I love Coach G," said Bradley. "Coming into the year — let's say after signing day — he came into my school, because we have other people in our school that are being recruited, I met up with him. And the first thing he said is 'You're signed now. It's over. We're not treating you like a baby anymore. I'm gonna be on you about every little thing, no matter what it is, even though you're still in high school'. And he did not lie. I got texts at least once every week. Just him checking up on me, making sure that I'm doing everything that I need to do. And since I've been here, he's been on me about every little thing and I love it."
"I went up to him after practice today and told him thank you because that's the type of stuff that I like," continued Bradley. "Because it helps me learn. And I think sometimes it looks as if it gets under my skin a little bit. But in reality, in my head, I'm processing it and I genuinely like being taught that way. I like being yelled at. It's weird, but I really do like it. I enjoy it."
There's a lot to love from that story if you're a Vols fan.
For starters, the honesty from Garner is something that players/recruits can respect. Players know what they're getting into when they go to Tennessee. It's not like they're going to show up in Knoxville and get a completely different experience than they signed up for.
Secondly, Bradley has the mindset to be a great player for Tennessee. If the Vols are truly going to be a national championship contender on an annual basis moving forward, then they need guys like Bradley to step up and be elite pass rushers. Bradley certainly seems like he has the hunger to be that type of player. And his four-star pedigree suggests he has the talent, too. If he puts it all together, he could absolutely be an impact player for the Vols.
Having Garner and outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler in his corner should help expedite Bradley's development.
The 2023 Tennessee Vols posses an important trait that’s common with championship teams
The 2023 Tennessee Vols posses a very important trait that’s common with championship teams
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
