Latest / The Mike Keith Show / Football Preview | JOSH HEUPEL, DESEAN BISHOP, DAVID SANDERS (8.31.26)

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Football Preview | JOSH HEUPEL, DESEAN BISHOP, DAVID SANDERS (8.31.26) · The Mike Keith Show

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_14: From the banks of the Mississippi to the peaks of the smokeies, this is the home field of champions.
• 0:26
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• 0:35
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• 0:38
  SPEAKER_14: From Rocky Top, direct from the coaches, insight from the players, the inside track.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_14: Mike Keith starts now.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_15: Welcome to season two of the Mike Keith Show.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_15: We begin with our 2026 Tennessee Football Preview Edition presented by UT Medical, official healthcare provider of the balls.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_15: The 2026 volunteers have a different look physically, a different look defensively, and once again have a new quarterback.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_15: The preseason battle for Tennessee's starting signal caller is complete, and freshman Faison Brandon will take the first snap against Furman this Saturday.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_15: He becomes the first freshman to start the opener at quarterback since Brett Schaefer in 2004.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_15: Here's some things you need to know about Faison Brandon.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_15: He wears number 11, stands six feet four inches tall, and weighs 225 pounds.
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_15: Greensboro, North Carolina is where he's from.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_15: He played at Grimsley High School, won state titles in his last two years.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_15: Last season, 2025, Brandon injured a thumb in the season opener, but chose to return for the playoffs, and again, Grimsley won the state title.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_15: He completed over 72% of his passes for nearly 6,400 yards and 79 touchdowns and rushed for 1,261 yards and 21 scores.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_15: Faison Brandon committed to Tennessee on August 3rd, 2024.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_15: That was over two years ago.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_15: We discussed Faison Brandon and a lot more about the 2026 balls with head coach Josh Heipel, presented by Calhoun.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_15: There are thousands of Tennessee fans who have not seen Faison Brandon play yet.
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_15: How would you describe him to those fans?
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_28: Very uh confident, very within himself.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_28: He's learned so much fundamentally, uh, our offense.
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_28: Um he's uh he's done a great job of growing since he got here in in January, and he's put in a ton of work.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_28: Uh, you know, our May break break, he stayed here uh the entire time, didn't go home, same thing over the fourth, and and uh has just continued to get better.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_28: Um so really excited to go play with him and uh I know our team is too.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_15: The culmination to him becoming the starter was really a three-year process.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_15: You got to know him early in his high school career.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_15: He committed to Tennessee very early, he didn't waver.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_15: This has been a marriage that has gone together very well in terms of how excited he was to be here and how excited you were to have him here.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_15: What was it about Faison Brandon and Tennessee that provided that connection that has already become evident?
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_28: Well, I think uh any relationships built on trust, right?
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_28: And uh, you know, clear communication and expectations and ultimately each side of the party understanding what they're gonna get from each other uh each and every day.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_28: And um, you know, Faison's extremely mature, very focused on what he wants to do and uh how he needs to grow inside of the game, um, but uh very grounded as well, and uh couldn't be more excited about the work that he's put into it and uh the work that he continues to put into it.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_15: You have a veteran offense around him, huge help for him?
• 4:03
  SPEAKER_28: Absolutely.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_28: Um, you know, everybody's gonna talk about the quarterback, and uh a lot of times they get too much of the credit and probably too much of the blame.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_28: Um, but that's what comes with playing the position.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_28: Uh the challenge, you know, really, even into January of this offseason, has been that you know, the ten guys around him who have experience in what we're doing offensively have to do their jobs at a really high level, and that allows the quarterback to stay out of unforeseen circumstances, missed assignment on you know, a pass protection, um, guys in the right spots uh in our pass routes, uh patterns, and um allows him to just do his job.
• 4:42
  SPEAKER_28: And ultimately a quarterback's job is to make the ten other guys around him better at the same time, uh, but allowing him to play on schedule will be really important.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_28: But it's also a challenge for our entire football team, uh, special teams, field position, uh, defensive football, all those things gotta be tied together uh when you're starting a new quarterback.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_15: The run game will obviously be a factor for everything, for him and for everybody.
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_15: Got to feel really good about your running backs coming out of camp, right?
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_28: I do.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_28: Um starts with the offensive line, a lot of experience there.
• 5:15
  SPEAKER_28: Um guys that don't have as much experience, you know, a year under their belts uh starting for us, have played extremely well.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_28: It continues to get better.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_28: Um there's great competition.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_28: Uh we have some depth there.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_28: Um and then uh our running back room, uh, I've said it during the course of training camp.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_28: Uh all of those guys have competed at a really high level.
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_28: Um, they're doing a great job with the ball in their hands, pressing uh the right aiming points, delivering blocks to the second level, and then escaping to the grass.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_28: Uh they've played with really good pad level, finishing their runs, um, and they've played really well with the ball not in their hands.
• 5:52
  SPEAKER_28: Pass protection is absolutely critical when you have a young quarterback, and those guys have done a great job with their responsibilities.
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_15: Do you feel good about where you are entering the season with your tight end depth?
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_28: I am.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_28: Uh uh being completely healthy there, uh, the experience, some of the young guys that have really come on uh that we believe are ready uh and prepared to go play at a championship level uh gives us some versatility uh within our personnel groupings and also opportunity uh to use them in the in the pass game as well.
• 6:26
  SPEAKER_28: And certainly they're already involved in the run game.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_28: Uh, but uh I feel like we have an opportunity to attack the middle of the football field with those guys.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_15: It's been fun to watch the defense.
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_15: Jim Knowles' system is very interesting to watch, and the way he does things is great to watch too, just his overall calm demeanor and uh his coaches and your not always calm.
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_15: Not always called it's it's really just fascinating to be on the field and just to see what they're doing.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_15: The players have certainly bought in.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_15: He's mentioned before feels good about his linebacker depth overall.
• 6:57
  SPEAKER_15: It really feels like those linebackers, too, as a group, have taken over as leaders of the defense.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_28: Yeah, they're the the middle part of your defense, communication backwards, forward, uh, those guys have continued to grow and have done a great job, uh, have a lot of experience with guys that have played a lot of football.
• 7:14
  SPEAKER_28: Uh Amari Campbell, first year here, but has played in the defense.
• 7:18
  SPEAKER_28: Um really excited uh about Jim's ability to put those guys in position uh to make plays.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_28: Um and certainly they're fitting their gaps, but uh some of the freedom that he gives those guys to make calls based on the sets and then use them in the uh pressure game as well and uh holistically defensively how they've grabbed on to what we're doing schematically uh is a real credit to Jim, our defensive staff, and our players.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_15: Why has Xavier Gillam already made himself a factor in the defensive line?
• 7:49
  SPEAKER_28: Yeah, uh a guy that's developing into a great leader comes in and is as consistent as anybody as far as how he approaches and works and competes every single day.
• 8:00
  SPEAKER_28: Weight room, meeting room on the practice field, you know exactly what you're getting, uh, has familiarity, a year in inside of this system, has helped, you know, give some of that information and accelerate the learning curve to some of our other defensive linemen.
• 8:14
  SPEAKER_28: Uh, but he plays with great pad level, great technique, uses his hands extremely well.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_28: Um anticipate him being uh a real dynamic playmaker for us up front.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_15: What have you seen out of your new kicker, Cooper Ranvier?
• 8:27
  SPEAKER_28: Yeah, uh he's done a tremendous job.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_28: Uh the totality of spring ball training camp, finishing every practice with uh a pressure kick game winner has been fantastic.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_28: Um our specialists in general, uh Bennett Brady, Jackson Ross, a lot of experience, um, and that's you know, punting the football, uh, but on the field goal unit as well, I think their experience is going to pay dividends for Cooper, too.
• 8:52
  SPEAKER_15: Do you feel like punt returns will be a bigger factor for Tennessee in 2026 than they were last year?
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_28: Yeah, certainly want them to, need them to.
• 9:01
  SPEAKER_28: Uh the field position game, uh, extremely important.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_28: Um, feel like we have multiple guys that are extremely comfortable, confident back there, that are communicating at a much higher level than we did a year ago.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_28: They're fielding the punt extremely sound and uh have the ability to make some plays when the ball is in their hands and they got a little bit of grass.
• 9:19
  SPEAKER_28: Coach, good luck on Saturday against Furman.
• 9:21
  SPEAKER_28: I appreciate it.
• 9:22
  SPEAKER_28: GBO.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_15: When the Mike Heath show returns, two Vol newcomers who are fighting for starting jobs talk about their fellow transfer portal editions.
• 9:33
  SPEAKER_15: That's next.
• 9:35
  SPEAKER_14: This special preseason kickoff on the Vol Network.
• 9:39
  SPEAKER_12: Sponsored by UT Medical, the official healthcare provider of the Vol.
• 9:48
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• 9:51
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• 9:57
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• 10:04
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• 10:08
  SPEAKER_25: The team took care of me, worked quickly, efficiently, and I did catch the end of the game.
• 10:14
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• 10:21
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• 11:10
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• 11:44
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• 12:39
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• 12:53
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• 12:58
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• 13:01
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• 13:03
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• 13:16
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• 13:20
  SPEAKER_08: This is the Tennessee football preview edition of the Mike Keith Show, presented by UT Medical, the official health care provider of the Vols.
• 13:30
  SPEAKER_15: Transfer is going to be a huge story for the Tennessee volunteers in 2026.
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_15: Two of the ones that jump out the most Kan Lee, cornerback, Ori Williams, offensive line.
• 13:42
  SPEAKER_15: And it's a big group of transfers.
• 13:44
  SPEAKER_15: We're at Axel Logistics.
• 13:46
  SPEAKER_15: What do you think about this place?
• 13:47
  SPEAKER_18: Man, I'm Axl Logistics is pretty, it's it's pretty unique.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_18: What do you think?
• 13:51
  SPEAKER_18: I ain't gonna lie, I'm loving it.
• 13:52
  SPEAKER_18: They got everything in one.
• 13:54
  SPEAKER_18: You got basketball, you got your your workout uh necessities that you need.
• 13:58
  SPEAKER_18: There's a lot of great love in the building.
• 14:00
  SPEAKER_18: I can feel it all around on every floor.
• 14:02
  SPEAKER_15: For you, Ori, the transfers on offense, at least on the offensive line and in the groups around, are not as numerous.
• 14:10
  SPEAKER_15: Who have you been able to really communicate with to make you feel like not only more comfortable, but to learn the system?
• 14:16
  SPEAKER_22: For the transfers, um, you know, coming in, he he's coming from West Virginia, I'm coming from LSU, just being too Donovan Hasley.
• 14:24
  SPEAKER_22: Yes, sir.
• 14:24
  SPEAKER_22: Donovan Hasn't we coming from two different places and uh in a new place, so being able to, you know, connect and trust each other.
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_22: Um, you know, sometimes we have our own one-on-ones, so I can know what he's doing at all times and he knows what I'm doing.
• 14:36
  SPEAKER_15: Give the Tennessee fans a transfer ball that they need to know for 2026.
• 14:42
  SPEAKER_22: A transfer ball that they need to know for 2026?
• 14:44
  SPEAKER_22: He's standing right next to you.
• 14:45
  SPEAKER_22: Kay and Lee.
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_22: He's standing right next to you.
• 14:47
  SPEAKER_22: All right, tell me why.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_22: They need to know his name.
• 14:49
  SPEAKER_22: I mean, he's like like you said, he's a he's a he's a ball hawking, seeking defensive back.
• 14:53
  SPEAKER_22: You know, he he's a great player.
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_22: He's a great person.
• 14:55
  SPEAKER_22: You know, his personality stands, you know, it's off the charts.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_15: Is he faster than Mike Matthews?
• 15:00
  SPEAKER_22: Hello.
• 15:01
  SPEAKER_22: You are he's run over 23 miles an hour.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_15: I have also.
• 15:05
  SPEAKER_15: You have too.
• 15:05
  SPEAKER_15: Yes, sir.
• 15:06
  SPEAKER_15: Definitely the two fastest on the team, though.
• 15:08
  SPEAKER_15: Definitely the two fastest on the team.
• 15:09
  SPEAKER_15: All right, so Kayan, I'll ask you the same question.
• 15:12
  SPEAKER_15: And don't say Ori, because that would just seem like you planned it right.
• 15:15
  SPEAKER_18: Okay.
• 15:15
  SPEAKER_15: Who who is your fellow transfer who Tennessee fans are gonna need to know this season?
• 15:20
  SPEAKER_18: I would say Xavier.
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_18: He transferred from uh Penn State.
• 15:23
  SPEAKER_15: Xavier Gillum in the defensive line.
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_18: Yes, sir.
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_18: He uh he brings a lot of force and like a lot of wreck to uh to the defensive line.
• 15:29
  SPEAKER_18: You know, playing defensive back, that helps me a lot, uh knowing that he's gonna get after a quarterback.
• 15:34
  SPEAKER_18: So that helps me a lot knowing that I don't have to cover for that long and I can just trust my technique and know that the pressure's gonna get there.
• 15:40
  SPEAKER_15: All right, let's ask somebody who should know Xavier Gillum and Jordan Norman, two guys that you've had to block through camp.
• 15:46
  SPEAKER_15: Yes, sir.
• 15:47
  SPEAKER_15: Tell us about those transfers in the D line and and what's tough about playing against them.
• 15:51
  SPEAKER_22: Yeah, like he said, you know, they're a force to be reckoned with.
• 15:53
  SPEAKER_22: And um, you know, they're quick for a three-tech and interior guy, Xavier Gillian, he's he he's phenomenal.
• 15:59
  SPEAKER_22: He he's quick.
• 16:00
  SPEAKER_22: His first step is amazing, hands great, you know what I mean?
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_22: He he's very powerful, one of our top weight room guys for sure.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_22: Um, Jordan Norman, man, he he he's coming along.
• 16:09
  SPEAKER_22: I mean, he's he's great coming from Tulane.
• 16:11
  SPEAKER_22: You know, he they had their thing going on there, and you know, coming from there to the SEC, he's I feel like he's adjusted well, and he's definitely a force-to be record with coming up.
• 16:19
  SPEAKER_15: How hard is it to get after a linebacker by the name of Amari Campbell who transferred from Penn State?
• 16:25
  SPEAKER_15: AC, he's slippery for sure, but I feel like I get my hands on him.
• 16:28
  SPEAKER_15: Has he taken over as one of the leaders of the defense already?
• 16:31
  SPEAKER_18: Most definitely.
• 16:32
  SPEAKER_18: He has a strong voice within our defense.
• 16:34
  SPEAKER_18: He's a leader, a captain, also uh someone that that rolls that's a good role model on and off the field.
• 16:40
  SPEAKER_18: Uh he helps out with a lot of the young guys.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_18: He brings Pilates along with on his side a lot too, helping him a lot.
• 16:45
  SPEAKER_18: So that's helping Pilates play fast.
• 16:47
  SPEAKER_18: So it's just like he's just an overall great guy on and off the field.
• 16:53
  SPEAKER_03: Hey, the mic in right now.
• 16:54
  SPEAKER_03: It's already in.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_03: Oh shoot, I didn't even know that.
• 17:02
  SPEAKER_04: Oh, ready to go.
• 17:06
  SPEAKER_04: Check out my swag.
• 17:07
  SPEAKER_04: Don't shine it, huh?
• 17:17
  SPEAKER_04: Look forward to the first game of y'all pop out though, man.
• 17:19
  SPEAKER_04: You feel what I'm saying, man.
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_04: It's gonna be a movie.
• 17:22
  SPEAKER_15: That's another transfer portal edition.
• 17:25
  SPEAKER_15: New Tennessee defensive back Quay Moss, a player the balls are counting on after his transfer from Kansas State.
• 17:33
  SPEAKER_15: Moss's journey to Knoxville doesn't just involve Manhattan, but two trips to the state of Kansas and back before joining the big R.
• 17:43
  SPEAKER_15: Mark Quavian?
• 17:45
  SPEAKER_15: Yes, sir.
• 17:45
  SPEAKER_15: Does anyone in your life call you Mark Quay?
• 17:48
  SPEAKER_04: Not at all.
• 17:49
  SPEAKER_04: Not at all.
• 17:50
  SPEAKER_15: How did I just claim that?
• 17:51
  SPEAKER_15: Okay, so you know, everybody in the family is just quite quite so you're from True County.
• 18:00
  SPEAKER_15: Coming out of high school, by the way, All-State receiver.
• 18:05
  SPEAKER_15: Okay, you did the research.
• 18:08
  SPEAKER_15: I mean, so you're all state receiver.
• 18:10
  SPEAKER_04: And you end up going to junior college in Niger City.
• 18:13
  SPEAKER_04: What led you to go Yuco?
• 18:15
  SPEAKER_04: So you know, like it's not my goal to go, you know, Yuco, but um but I had I had good grades in high school, but like like you just said all-state receiver everything, but I had autumn accolades, but I still have no idea what offered though.
• 18:28
  SPEAKER_15: But because of your grades, you only had to say Yuko one year.
• 18:32
  SPEAKER_04: Only six months actually.
• 18:33
  SPEAKER_15: Okay, and so then you end up with West Georgia.
• 18:36
  SPEAKER_15: Why was West Georgia defended?
• 18:38
  SPEAKER_04: Okay, so um when I was in Zuko, I was already talking to the coach in West Georgia, but I didn't want to go there because they were division two efforts.
• 18:47
  SPEAKER_04: So like the stats I had in Zuko, like it was okay, but like I didn't have no offers, but so we always knew like West Georgia always wanted me.
• 18:54
  SPEAKER_04: So they went into D1, they went into Division I so I'm like, yeah, this gotta be guys playing.
• 18:59
  SPEAKER_15: So were you always gonna be a defensive back or did you try receiver first?
• 19:03
  SPEAKER_15: Defensive back.
• 19:04
  SPEAKER_15: Okay.
• 19:04
  SPEAKER_15: So you knew that's what that was your future.
• 19:07
  SPEAKER_15: You go to West Georgia, it goes well, and then you step up to Kansas State.
• 19:12
  SPEAKER_15: How did you how did you get there from West Georgia?
• 19:15
  SPEAKER_04: So honestly, I mean I had a a breakout year and when you know the breakout year, you feel what I'm saying?
• 19:23
  SPEAKER_04: I just put the film on, you know, let the film speak for itself, you feel what I'm saying?
• 19:26
  SPEAKER_04: Like I had a lot of offers coming out of the transfer board coming coming out of myself a year.
• 19:32
  SPEAKER_04: And I mean I went to every school, honestly, I had one for the it was everything that I had that I wanted to have during though, you feel what I'm saying?
• 19:43
  SPEAKER_04: Like for like a whole lot of journey and like for like a yeah.
• 19:50
  SPEAKER_15: Okay, you broke it.
• 19:51
  SPEAKER_15: You had a really good year.
• 19:53
  SPEAKER_15: You decided to go back in the transfer.
• 19:56
  SPEAKER_15: You're priority for Tennessee.
• 20:00
  SPEAKER_15: You're the first transfer to visit you committed on your vision, what led you from Kansas State to Tennessee?
• 20:09
  SPEAKER_04: So like they told us a good, it's a good, you know, conference, but like it's not a big conference.
• 20:15
  SPEAKER_04: I always knew I wanted to go ACC, you feel what I'm saying?
• 20:18
  SPEAKER_04: Like, and the fact that Tennessee they were the first school took the chance on me, so I just took that chance on my me and my agent who was talking to each other, you feel what I'm saying?
• 20:27
  SPEAKER_04: He was just like, I feel like that's the best route for you to go.
• 20:30
  SPEAKER_04: So and then it's closer to home.
• 20:31
  SPEAKER_04: I'm only like four hours away from home.
• 20:33
  SPEAKER_04: That's great.
• 20:34
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, so Tennessee.
• 20:36
  SPEAKER_15: Anthony Point Dexter.
• 20:38
  SPEAKER_15: What does he mean?
• 20:39
  SPEAKER_15: Coach Point Dexter in George is the secondary.
• 20:42
  SPEAKER_04: What does he mean in this process?
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_04: I'm not gonna lie, Coach Point is he's the coolest coach I've ever been around.
• 20:48
  SPEAKER_04: Ever, ever.
• 20:50
  SPEAKER_04: He got an old life.
• 20:52
  SPEAKER_04: You couldn't say he just feel like old, honestly, like like grown up you know, one from the country.
• 20:58
  SPEAKER_15: I feel like you like an old thing, but he just feel like wherever you can put on the field, whatever situation, whatever it is, you expect to make a whole mind.
• 21:24
  SPEAKER_15: Tennessee volunteers what are people gonna see out of you?
• 21:29
  SPEAKER_15: Give them a preview, give them a scouting report.
• 21:32
  SPEAKER_04: Man, they're gonna see a real playmaker, like a real ball player, like when they see Clay Moss, like I wanna hear the crowd you're channeling my name, like this is the type of impact I want to make on Tennessee when it like when I come out with the crowd you're channeling my name, like Clay Mart, like we they already know what they expect for me, you feel what I'm saying?
• 21:49
  SPEAKER_04: Like the biggest player in college football, you feel what I'm saying?
• 21:52
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, so yeah, like the killing my show today show, it's gonna be crazy.
• 21:56
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, it's gonna be a movie.
• 21:59
  SPEAKER_15: When the Mike is.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_15: Show continues, a running back from Knoxville and a linebacker from Nashville have the floor.
• 22:06
  SPEAKER_15: Stay with us.
• 22:07
  SPEAKER_14: Mike T, Mike T, back with more Big Orange Insider Access.
• 22:12
  SPEAKER_14: We are the Vall Network.
• 22:21
  SPEAKER_14: This special 13 kickoff on the Vall Network.
• 22:25
  SPEAKER_12: Sponsored by UT Medical, the official health care provider of the Vault.
• 22:33
  SPEAKER_15: Welcome back to the Mike Keith Show.
• 22:35
  SPEAKER_15: This is our special Tennessee football preview edition presented by UT Medical, official health care provider of the balls.
• 22:44
  SPEAKER_15: Deshaun Bishop rushed for nearly 1,100 yards last season, but more impressively, he averaged 5.9 yards per carry and scored 16 touchdowns.
• 22:55
  SPEAKER_15: Bigger, faster, and stronger, like all of the balls, the cards native is looking for more this season.
• 23:02
  SPEAKER_15: And with talented sophomores Javen Gordon and Duan Morris behind him, he knows he'll have to keep pushing to make certain that he gets the maximum amount of Tennessee's carries.
• 23:13
  SPEAKER_15: That's okay by Bishop, who believes that Tennessee's running back competition should never end.
• 23:20
  SPEAKER_15: Javen Gordon.
• 23:23
  SPEAKER_15: Your dog.
• 23:24
  SPEAKER_15: Okay, tell me about him as a player.
• 23:26
  SPEAKER_15: And for the Vol fans who don't know him yet, why should they know number six?
• 23:31
  SPEAKER_20: Call him Flash Gordon, man.
• 23:33
  SPEAKER_20: He's flashing all over the field.
• 23:34
  SPEAKER_20: Obviously, take this step in this role, you know, never know what his role was going to be here.
• 23:38
  SPEAKER_20: You know, he obviously coming here and competing with some of the best dudes around the country, and he's accepted that role, you know, and I can respect that from a guy, you know, there's a lot of guys in this in this world kind of shy away from other competition, you know, and he has embraced it, you know, just him off the field, man, is what I'm a lot pleased with, you know, because he's a very likable dude, very character dude, big in his faith as well, and just a lovable guy, you know, and I've really gone really close with that guy over these past few weeks, you know, and just being intentional, getting to know him, making sure he's comfortable with the offense, you know, obviously pushing him to be better.
• 24:11
  SPEAKER_20: You know, someone that else is pushing me to be better, you know, because I feel like I got room to grow in my game as well, and he's been doing that as well.
• 24:18
  SPEAKER_15: Dewan Morris has made a transformation physically, adding over 20 pounds of muscle.
• 24:23
  SPEAKER_15: Sophomore.
• 24:24
  SPEAKER_15: I I know you're a fan of his too.
• 24:26
  SPEAKER_15: Yeah, for sure.
• 24:27
  SPEAKER_15: What are fans gonna see from number 17, Dwan Morris?
• 24:30
  SPEAKER_20: Uh, just overall different player, man.
• 24:32
  SPEAKER_20: I believe the biggest step he's took is off the field, you know, and a guy that has been through a lot, you know, and has his uh ups and downs and highs and lows, but man, just continuing to work, work hard, you know, and continue to embrace the competition as well, man.
• 24:44
  SPEAKER_20: Not someone who's shying away from it, you know.
• 24:46
  SPEAKER_20: And I feel like when he gets his opportunity to shine this year, man, he's gonna make people pay.
• 24:50
  SPEAKER_15: We talked in the spring that if you have a really big year, you could leave Tennessee as the all-time leading rusher.
• 24:59
  SPEAKER_15: That that is that that is a distinct possibility.
• 25:01
  SPEAKER_15: You didn't shy away from that.
• 25:02
  SPEAKER_15: You're like, yeah, that let's talk about that.
• 25:05
  SPEAKER_15: You're I mean, you weren't bragging, but you were saying, I I know about that, I understand it, and I'm embracing the opportunity to go after it.
• 25:15
  SPEAKER_15: Were you surprised that people reacted to that by going, good for you?
• 25:19
  SPEAKER_15: Even former Tennessee players are like, Yeah, good for you, Deshaun, go get it.
• 25:23
  SPEAKER_20: I mean, I'm not surprised by it.
• 25:24
  SPEAKER_20: You know, obviously you gotta be confident in yourself, you know you're worth it at the end of the day, but at the end of the day, I mean the team's first, you know.
• 25:30
  SPEAKER_20: So I believe if I continue just to put the team first and my individual accolades, they'll come, you know, but overall it's just says I'm trying to win this year, you know, and I gotta make sure I'm doing everything I can to do to help uh only myself, but my team's in the best position to be in the front runner for something special this year.
• 25:48
  SPEAKER_20: So I mean, if if I'm up for the records, I mean that means we ran the ball well, you know.
• 25:52
  SPEAKER_20: I also gotta keep the quarterback upright as well, you know.
• 25:54
  SPEAKER_20: So I gotta do everything to help this team be the best it can be every Saturday.
• 25:58
  SPEAKER_19: Deshaun Bishop.
• 25:59
  SPEAKER_19: Hey, you care if I give a quick shout out, real quick?
• 26:01
  SPEAKER_19: A shout out, of course.
• 26:03
  SPEAKER_19: Shout out to my guys at First Horizon Bank.
• 26:05
  SPEAKER_19: The official bank of the Vols.
• 26:07
  SPEAKER_19: Yes, sir.
• 26:07
  SPEAKER_19: They're great people, man.
• 26:08
  SPEAKER_19: I love working with them.
• 26:10
  SPEAKER_15: Edwin Spillman might be to the Tennessee defense what Deshaun Bishop is to the Tennessee offense.
• 26:17
  SPEAKER_15: Not just steady and dependable, but capable of making a game-changing play at any time.
• 26:24
  SPEAKER_15: The Nashville product led Tennessee in tackles last season and was a freshman All-America selection.
• 26:30
  SPEAKER_15: And Spillman is excited to play in Jim Knoll's defensive scheme and to be surrounded by a lot of familiar faces.
• 26:37
  SPEAKER_15: Sarah Detweiler walks and talks with number 13, Edwin Spillman.
• 26:43
  SPEAKER_09: When we go to Food City, are you putting together a whole grocery list or are you walking in and just going off of vibes?
• 26:49
  SPEAKER_11: Really just off of vibes, whatever I'm feeling throughout the day.
• 26:52
  SPEAKER_11: Gotta go to the juice, the juice aisle.
• 26:55
  SPEAKER_11: I need my apple juice, orange juice.
• 26:57
  SPEAKER_09: Put together your perfect Food City haul.
• 27:00
  SPEAKER_09: I'm talking top five items on the list.
• 27:02
  SPEAKER_09: What are you grabbing?
• 27:03
  SPEAKER_11: Definitely some juice.
• 27:04
  SPEAKER_11: Uh Protein though.
• 27:06
  SPEAKER_09: Are we mixing that in as well?
• 27:07
  SPEAKER_09: I'm sure Dio would like you to get some protein.
• 27:09
  SPEAKER_11: Yeah, definitely some chicken, steak.
• 27:11
  SPEAKER_09: When you are at the grocery store and you're thinking of a party, you're gonna host all the guys over at your place.
• 27:17
  SPEAKER_09: One, what are you cooking for them?
• 27:19
  SPEAKER_09: And two, how much food are we eating, really, with all these guys getting together?
• 27:23
  SPEAKER_11: Really, we just make a whole bunch of burgers, uh, burgers and steaks, and then just about everybody, you know?
• 27:30
  SPEAKER_09: I heard you did an autograph session over at Food City in late July.
• 27:34
  SPEAKER_09: Talk to me about what it was like getting in front of the community and being able to do that.
• 27:38
  SPEAKER_11: It was actually really fun.
• 27:39
  SPEAKER_11: Uh, just me and a couple of the guys, we all went over and hung out with the fans and signed autographs and got to see all the little kids smiling and everything, but it was a great experience.
• 27:48
  SPEAKER_09: Was there one interaction that really stood with you?
• 27:51
  SPEAKER_11: My guy Reggie Stratton, uh, he came and actually bought my helmet from last year.
• 27:55
  SPEAKER_09: Oh no, and I had a sign.
• 27:57
  SPEAKER_09: Oh, that's really cool.
• 27:58
  SPEAKER_09: We love those little fan moments.
• 27:59
  SPEAKER_09: That's great.
• 28:00
  SPEAKER_09: Okay, so his offseason looked a little bit different for you guys with Dio in the weight room.
• 28:04
  SPEAKER_09: Talk to me about what it's been like working with him and what changes that you've seen within yourself and your teammates around you.
• 28:10
  SPEAKER_11: It's actually been really great uh getting to work with Dio.
• 28:13
  SPEAKER_11: Um, obviously, the type of caliber he brings to the program and everything.
• 28:17
  SPEAKER_11: But I thought it was a great new addition, and it's already gotten a whole lot of guys faster and bigger and stronger, including me.
• 28:23
  SPEAKER_11: So um, yeah, it's it's been a great, great addition.
• 28:26
  SPEAKER_09: As a leader in the linebacker room, what have you seen out of some of these younger guys and who who's stepping up that you're excited to see what they bring to the field this season?
• 28:35
  SPEAKER_11: For me, I feel like I've seen just a lot of young guys are just picking things up, um, right where we left off in the spring, install-wise, uh, and then just football wise, too, knowing where they're supposed to be at alignment assignment technique.
• 28:48
  SPEAKER_11: Braden Rouse, um TJ White, um, Jordan Burns, Perlotti, all those guys, Harman.
• 28:54
  SPEAKER_09: For you to have a successful season, what does that look like for you?
• 28:58
  SPEAKER_11: For me, it's just being very technical, um, being on top of the little things that I need to do um day in and day out, starting from camp all the way throughout the season.
• 29:08
  SPEAKER_09: And the coaching staff as a whole has poured in so much time and effort into this group.
• 29:12
  SPEAKER_09: Out of all of them, who has really been a mentor to you as you've gone throughout the past couple of years here?
• 29:17
  SPEAKER_11: Definitely Coach Inch.
• 29:19
  SPEAKER_11: Um Coach Knowles has also been very helpful in having him around.
• 29:23
  SPEAKER_11: Um also Coach Each is does through guys or my position coaches in DC.
• 29:29
  SPEAKER_11: Um they've done a great job.
• 29:30
  SPEAKER_09: Speaking of Coach Knowles being the new guy here, getting adjusted and everything, what are some things that stand out to you about working with him and that what you've learned so far being being coached by him?
• 29:41
  SPEAKER_11: Really more just his um his wise and um his demeanor and um he means business when he means business.
• 29:48
  SPEAKER_11: So I really like that.
• 29:50
  SPEAKER_14: This special, preseason kickoff on the Vall Network.
• 29:55
  SPEAKER_12: Sponsored by UT Medical, the official healthcare provider of the Valls.
• 30:02
  SPEAKER_25: Being at the Balls game saved my life.
• 30:05
  SPEAKER_25: It was a normal day going to the game with my son, but this time it felt like a sledgehammer hit my chest.
• 30:12
  SPEAKER_25: The UT Medical team knew exactly what they needed to do, and just kept me calm throughout the process.
• 30:18
  SPEAKER_25: It was probably the most serious heart attack that you could have.
• 30:22
  SPEAKER_25: The team took care of me, worked quickly, efficiently, and I did catch the end of the game.
• 30:29
  SPEAKER_01: These are the stories of the region's academic health system.
• 30:33
  SPEAKER_23: In the heart of every community, caring comes naturally.
• 30:37
  SPEAKER_23: At Farm Bureau Health Plants, we're not just a health plan provider.
• 30:41
  SPEAKER_23: We're your neighbors, your friends, and your partners in health.
• 30:45
  SPEAKER_23: Our Medicare supplement plans offer the flexibility you need to keep seeing the doctors you already know and trust.
• 30:51
  SPEAKER_23: With us, you are more than just a member.
• 30:54
  SPEAKER_23: You are a valued part of our Farm Bureau family.
• 30:57
  SPEAKER_23: Farm Bureau Health Plans, where your health is our commitment.
• 31:01
  SPEAKER_23: Plan on us.
• 31:17
  SPEAKER_05: At Rackley Roofing, we are not a one-man team.
• 31:21
  SPEAKER_05: We're actually not a two-man team.
• 31:23
  SPEAKER_05: Everyone is a critical part of the journey.
• 31:25
  SPEAKER_24: Championship teams are not built on one person.
• 31:28
  SPEAKER_24: Great companies are ether.
• 31:30
  SPEAKER_13: Like the balls, coaches and players need to learn to handle the pressure, including the pressure of success.
• 31:37
  SPEAKER_14: We invest in the next generation.
• 31:39
  SPEAKER_17: We invest in our community.
• 31:40
  SPEAKER_14: And most importantly, we invest in our employees.
• 31:44
  SPEAKER_00: Want to change the world?
• 31:45
  SPEAKER_00: Change it one roof at a time.
• 31:50
  SPEAKER_21: Sometimes it's not just protecting the quarterback.
• 31:53
  SPEAKER_21: Sometimes it's holding the last teeth.
• 31:55
  SPEAKER_05: Sometimes it makes sense to know what it's doing.
• 31:59
  SPEAKER_05: We protect each other's team.
• 32:00
  SPEAKER_05: We prefer to stay.
• 32:18
  SPEAKER_15: Standard aims are all about the big art.
• 32:20
  SPEAKER_15: From the roar of Neeland Stadium to the integrity of the tailgate, one thing belongs to every gameplay menu for Calhoun.
• 32:28
  SPEAKER_15: Whether you're dining in one of Calhoun's nine area restaurant locations, taking the feast of your tailgate, or grabbing a bike from one of Calhoun's locations inside Neiland Stadium.
• 32:39
  SPEAKER_15: Calhoun's fixed easy seat, so you can focus on curing the balls to victory.
• 32:44
  SPEAKER_15: Calhoun, a date of date.
• 32:53
  SPEAKER_10: Vaping isn't harmless.
• 32:54
  SPEAKER_10: Most vapes contain nicotine, and nicotine can lead to addiction, especially while your brain is still developing.
• 33:01
  SPEAKER_10: And once you're hooked, it's not easy to just stop whatever.
• 33:05
  SPEAKER_10: You've got goals.
• 33:09
  SPEAKER_10: A future you're building right now.
• 33:11
  SPEAKER_10: Don't let a trend decide that for you.
• 33:13
  SPEAKER_10: Protect your potential.
• 33:15
  SPEAKER_10: B and strong.
• 33:18
  SPEAKER_28: When you travel across the great state of Tennessee, one thing you're sure to find is big orange patch.
• 33:23
  SPEAKER_28: You see it throughout every inch of the volunteer state, just like you see First Horizon.
• 33:27
  SPEAKER_28: Big bank muscle, small bank hustle.
• 33:30
  SPEAKER_28: That's First Horizon, the official bank of the Vols.
• 33:34
  SPEAKER_08: This is the Tennessee football preview edition of the Mike Keith Show.
• 33:39
  SPEAKER_08: Presented by UT Medical, the official health care provider of the Vols.
• 33:45
  SPEAKER_15: Good to see you guys here at Axal Logistics.
• 33:47
  SPEAKER_15: What do you think about this place?
• 33:48
  SPEAKER_02: Man, this place is amazing.
• 33:49
  SPEAKER_02: Really cool place to work at for sure.
• 33:51
  SPEAKER_21: I definitely would enjoy coming to work each and everyday golf course, simulators, speakers.
• 33:57
  SPEAKER_21: Can't complain.
• 33:58
  SPEAKER_15: I want to talk to you about your sophomore class.
• 34:01
  SPEAKER_15: What do we need to know about the second-year players on the Tennessee roster?
• 34:05
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I think we're a really tight-knit group that's known each other for a long time.
• 34:08
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, me and Ethan were on the the earlier commits in the class, so we we had a lot of time to really build relationships with all the guys and you know, offense, defense, we're all close and I think we're a hungry group, very talented as as everyone knows.
• 34:20
  SPEAKER_02: But um yeah, a lot of guys gonna be playing big time minutes and contributing this year for from our class, so it's really cool to see.
• 34:27
  SPEAKER_21: Yeah, I think everybody's just ready to go out there and just prove themselves right and then prove each other.
• 34:31
  SPEAKER_21: I wouldn't say necessarily prove everybody else wrong, but more so just solidify that potential work, because potential could be a good thing or a bad thing, and you know, so it's just all about capitalizing on the moment.
• 34:42
  SPEAKER_21: I think our class came in head down, ready to work.
• 34:44
  SPEAKER_15: Who's jumping after you on offense, Ethan?
• 34:47
  SPEAKER_15: If you go against the offense, who's impressing you?
• 34:50
  SPEAKER_15: Design.
• 34:51
  SPEAKER_21: Yeah, I I Design's bright.
• 34:53
  SPEAKER_21: Yeah, I knew the sign was gonna be.
• 34:55
  SPEAKER_21: Ever since we went to Hawaii, because obviously, you know, the sign highly rated, recruited guy, he flashed a lot in those games.
• 35:00
  SPEAKER_21: I think he has like one or two touchdowns in that game, and then even getting here, obviously having to get more used to being a blocking tight end, and then also, I mean, obviously the kid is a t in a receiver mindset most of the time, but you know, he's been out there throwing his body around in the run game, just being more physical, blocking guys, and then obviously, you know, he's gonna make those spectacular catches.
• 35:17
  SPEAKER_15: Who else among the sophomore class on defense has jumped out to you, George McIntyre?
• 35:22
  SPEAKER_02: Man, as far as fall camp goes, uh, I think Trey Potti has had a really good start at fall camp.
• 35:26
  SPEAKER_02: Um guy who's improved a ton over his freshman year and through spring ball, and now um he's kinda you know, definitely gonna find his way into the rotation, I think.
• 35:36
  SPEAKER_02: Um Trey's a really good player, really good instincts.
• 35:39
  SPEAKER_02: Um physical since he's got here.
• 35:41
  SPEAKER_02: I've been noticing um my receivers are having a harder time getting off the line, you know, and and the more of the press coverage.
• 35:46
  SPEAKER_02: So I think Trey's had a really good start to count.
• 35:48
  SPEAKER_15: I'm gonna throw some names at you and you can both react.
• 35:50
  SPEAKER_15: I'll give you this one first.
• 35:52
  SPEAKER_15: Nick Moore at center.
• 35:53
  SPEAKER_21: He's a problem for me.
• 35:54
  SPEAKER_15: He's a problem.
• 35:55
  SPEAKER_21: Yeah.
• 35:56
  SPEAKER_21: Because he's his his center of gravity is lower than mine just naturally.
• 35:59
  SPEAKER_21: Just you know, I'm I'm a little bit taller, interior guy.
• 36:01
  SPEAKER_21: So with him, I definitely have to over-exaggerate my pad level and then definitely try to keep his hands off of me because he he got some grip strength.
• 36:09
  SPEAKER_21: When he when he latches on, it's hard, it's hard to get Nick Moore off.
• 36:12
  SPEAKER_15: Can you tell the difference in Nick?
• 36:13
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, Nick's done a lot better from last year this year.
• 36:15
  SPEAKER_02: He's a he's a really good player, very strong.
• 36:17
  SPEAKER_02: I think he's a fluid athlete.
• 36:18
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think last year he was a guy learning how to play the center position, moving over from tackle from high school, but he's he's done a really good job of of mastering the mental side of the game because you know, lots on the center with IDing and stuff like that.
• 36:29
  SPEAKER_15: Javen Gordon was not part of your recruiting class, but he's part of your sophomore class.
• 36:33
  SPEAKER_15: Tell us about the running back.
• 36:35
  SPEAKER_21: He's definitely a great addition to our backfield.
• 36:37
  SPEAKER_21: You know, obviously D Bish is the head of that head of that unit, and um, I think he does a great job of just leading those guys in the right way.
• 36:42
  SPEAKER_21: But having it going from D Bish to Justin Baker to Javen Gordon to Dewan Moore is like just having four backs like that that all offer you a different dynamic, whether that's in the receiving game, gas you up the middle, just like knowing you have another powerful back in the backfield, that just for one makes practice even more harder.
• 36:59
  SPEAKER_21: But on game day, it'll be a lot for defenses to have to prepare for to have four backs that can give you different looks in different ways.
• 37:04
  SPEAKER_15: Jaden Perlotti.
• 37:05
  SPEAKER_02: He always is around the ball, like fumble recoveries, forcing fumbles, forcing turnovers.
• 37:10
  SPEAKER_02: You know, he's an electric player.
• 37:12
  SPEAKER_15: What did you learn last year that you carry into this year the most?
• 37:16
  SPEAKER_21: Being with Koji every day and just seeing how he and her he treats us all the same, but at the same time is different.
• 37:21
  SPEAKER_21: Just seeing that different people need different things, then how me and him uh communicate with within one another and then like our coach player relationship, how it's just like continued to grow.
• 37:30
  SPEAKER_21: And I as he's continuing to trust me, and as I grow older and understand like what he's gonna require for me to be out there and actually be a dominant defensive tackle, because Koji G's not really interested in guys just being okay with getting playing time or guys just being okay with just being able to be in a rotation.
• 37:43
  SPEAKER_21: Like he wants you to go out there and be that guy, as he loves to say.
• 37:46
  SPEAKER_21: And so knowing that he expects that from me and everyone else in the defensive line room is definitely it forced you to grow up fast, but in a good way, because obviously you don't want to stay in a young mindset, especially playing in the interior SEC.
• 37:56
  SPEAKER_21: Like that's all the dirty work goes on.
• 37:57
  SPEAKER_21: So I definitely had to uh grow up fast, but I'm ready to step up in a way.
• 38:01
  SPEAKER_21: And then also just being able to have the older guys I had in the room last year, I was definitely able to learn a lot as far as my game goes, just knowing how important watching film is at this level.
• 38:10
  SPEAKER_21: And obviously, like everybody watches film.
• 38:12
  SPEAKER_21: So just a matter of how you watch film, what you're looking for, Tennessee's offense alignment, and just knowing that in different ways that you'll be able to defeat blocks before the play even starts, just reading backfields, reading stances, reading all different alignments and whatnot.
• 38:24
  SPEAKER_21: So I just appreciate the older guys we had in the room and them pouring into me and giving me my knowledge and actually having me ready to help a little bit my freshman year, also being now ready to step them in a bigger role in my sophomore year.
• 38:32
  SPEAKER_15: George, 27 sophomores, where does the leadership come from in that group?
• 38:37
  SPEAKER_02: I would say we got a variety of different leaders.
• 38:39
  SPEAKER_02: Second year in the program, you know, you kind of been there, been here, done that.
• 38:42
  SPEAKER_02: I think a lot of us have really found our voices.
• 38:45
  SPEAKER_02: I'll say a name that stands out to me as David.
• 38:47
  SPEAKER_02: Last year, you know, he was he was a freshman, kind of getting thrown in the fire, you know, obviously held his own, had a really good year, but I think in this offseason, we've I really felt him grow his voice among the O-line, among the offense, along the whole team and lift groups and every everything he does, and he just carries himself in a completely different way.
• 39:02
  SPEAKER_15: Tell me what you think, George Marion dies.
• 39:05
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I think Marion's a guy's gonna step into a really big role this year, especially on third down, rushing the pastor.
• 39:10
  SPEAKER_02: I think he's a guy who can be very dynamic, but also be on the field in first and second down, stopping the run.
• 39:14
  SPEAKER_02: You know, he's he's completely changed his body since I met him.
• 39:17
  SPEAKER_02: I would say he's a little more like intense.
• 39:18
  SPEAKER_02: Like he knows like this is the year and it's his year to go take it.
• 39:21
  SPEAKER_02: So Marion.
• 39:23
  SPEAKER_02: That's my guy.
• 39:23
  SPEAKER_21: That's your guy?
• 39:24
  SPEAKER_21: Yeah, that's a smart guy.
• 39:25
  SPEAKER_21: Me and Marion, I met him actually throughout the recruiting process, you know, being on the same visits, same schools, just knowing familiar faces and whatnot.
• 39:32
  SPEAKER_21: And I was actually one of the guys blowing his phone up to get him committed.
• 39:35
  SPEAKER_21: So once he committed, we kind of our friendship just kind of took off for there.
• 39:38
  SPEAKER_21: Like we were roommates when we first got here, like we kind of do everything together.
• 39:41
  SPEAKER_21: Well, that's extra work, watch a film, and practice.
• 39:43
  SPEAKER_21: We always just give each other pointers and whatnot.
• 39:46
  SPEAKER_21: And like George said, like, he definitely knows like the time is now, especially you know, with a lot of question marks around our defensive line, like he knows he's gonna be one of those guys that have to step up and he's ready to step up.
• 39:54
  SPEAKER_21: And although he may come across as a quiet guy, like y'all definitely see a flash of just what number nine can do out there for sure.
• 40:01
  SPEAKER_15: I want to pick up on George's and Ethan's conversation about Marion Die.
• 40:06
  SPEAKER_15: Number nine is a dynamic athlete in the defensive line, a player whose upside is unlimited.
• 40:12
  SPEAKER_15: At 6'5, 270 pounds, the Elkart Indiana native has fantastic length.
• 40:19
  SPEAKER_15: And veteran defensive line coach Rodney Garner wants Die to use that length to its fullest extent.
• 40:26
  SPEAKER_15: Die gets the word from Garner every single day.
• 40:32
  SPEAKER_17: What do you love about playing in the defensive line?
• 40:35
  SPEAKER_17: Especially I love especially climbing for Coach Garner.
• 40:37
  SPEAKER_17: It's a game come true for sure.
• 40:39
  SPEAKER_15: You you had a chance to play some football last year.
• 40:41
  SPEAKER_15: You you got in some games and you were able to make some things happen.
• 40:44
  SPEAKER_15: You had a period of time in the middle year where you really weren't getting to play.
• 40:48
  SPEAKER_15: What did you learn from that freshman year that springboarded you to an excellent spring practice on into this fall?
• 40:56
  SPEAKER_17: The things I say I learned the most is just play free.
• 41:00
  SPEAKER_17: I called myself last year just thinking too much, and I'd that have slowed me down unless I really just got to play free, have fun.
• 41:05
  SPEAKER_17: I've been playing this game my whole life, so it's really just a game.
• 41:08
  SPEAKER_17: Just go out there, have fun, play free.
• 41:10
  SPEAKER_15: Who do you look up to spend time with on this football team who's really provided you good leadership and helped you to kind of get into the flow of being a college player in Tennessee?
• 41:21
  SPEAKER_17: Um, I say Ariane Carter and David Hogg for sure.
• 41:25
  SPEAKER_15: Yeah, so what have those guys done for you that's allowed you to sort of get mixed in that way?
• 41:31
  SPEAKER_17: Like, um, for for AC, for example, like so say if I was to have like a bad practice or if I was to do something like God damn like our practice, I'll go talk to AC in the here, they give me some little motivation, telling me next play and things like that.
• 41:44
  SPEAKER_17: But definitely just from a technique, except uh from like technique, like if I want to ask somebody to move from the three-tech or something like you feel me do something like that.
• 41:52
  SPEAKER_17: Sure.
• 41:53
  SPEAKER_15: Yeah, sure.
• 41:54
  SPEAKER_15: Because there's always something to learn.
• 41:55
  SPEAKER_15: What are your goals?
• 41:56
  SPEAKER_15: Or do you have specific personal goals for the year?
• 41:59
  SPEAKER_17: I used to have a lot of goals, but I realized I just want to win my team, whatever, whatever.
• 42:03
  SPEAKER_17: Coach G, you need me to do whatever the team needs me to do to win.
• 42:06
  SPEAKER_17: I just want to do that.
• 42:07
  SPEAKER_15: That's good stuff.
• 42:08
  SPEAKER_15: All right.
• 42:08
  SPEAKER_15: Marion died.
• 42:09
  SPEAKER_15: Let's let's talk about pilot right now.
• 42:12
  SPEAKER_15: Game day snacks.
• 42:14
  SPEAKER_15: You you've you're not playing, you're getting to just watch a game, you're getting to relax.
• 42:18
  SPEAKER_15: Maybe you're going to the basketball game, ladyballs game, baseball game, whatever.
• 42:22
  SPEAKER_15: What are your game day go-to snacks at pilot?
• 42:26
  SPEAKER_15: I see.
• 42:28
  SPEAKER_17: Some Skittles.
• 42:29
  SPEAKER_17: Skittles.
• 42:30
  SPEAKER_17: Everybody loves Skittles.
• 42:31
  SPEAKER_17: You gotta go see the purple bag of Skittles though.
• 42:33
  SPEAKER_17: Why the purple bag?
• 42:35
  SPEAKER_17: They got like a little different taste to it.
• 42:36
  SPEAKER_17: Okay.
• 42:37
  SPEAKER_17: Alright.
• 42:37
  SPEAKER_17: What else I'm gonna go with?
• 42:38
  SPEAKER_17: Uh probably hot cheetah, hot Cheetos, the lime car.
• 42:43
  SPEAKER_17: Lime hot Cheetos.
• 42:44
  SPEAKER_17: That sounds good.
• 42:45
  SPEAKER_17: Yeah.
• 42:46
  SPEAKER_17: Yeah.
• 42:47
  SPEAKER_17: Probably just a water bottle.
• 42:49
  SPEAKER_17: Just water.
• 42:49
  SPEAKER_17: Yeah, not a soda.
• 42:52
  SPEAKER_17: I don't drink pot.
• 42:54
  SPEAKER_15: What would Derek Owing say about those choices?
• 42:57
  SPEAKER_15: Tennessee's new director of football, sports, and performance has made diet and nutrition a big part of what this offseason has been focused upon.
• 43:06
  SPEAKER_15: But guys do get a cheek day now and again.
• 43:10
  SPEAKER_15: Owing's program has been rigorous in all areas.
• 43:13
  SPEAKER_15: Not surprising, considering what he told us about his goal for Tennessee when he arrived from Indiana this past winter.
• 43:23
  SPEAKER_07: Those guys play hard snap the whistle.
• 43:25
  SPEAKER_07: They don't put bad stuff on tape.
• 43:27
  SPEAKER_07: These guys are competitors, and they're trying to win every single rep.
• 43:30
  SPEAKER_07: I mean, the number one thing we're trying to build is a mindset of we need to win and we need to be more dominant, play in, play out.
• 43:40
  SPEAKER_07: It's it's a physicality, it's a mindset of man, we are different dudes.
• 43:46
  SPEAKER_07: Man, this is SEC, this is Tennessee football, and we're here to punch you in the mouth, play in, play out.
• 43:51
  SPEAKER_07: And sometimes it's not pretty, sometimes it is gonna be flashy when we run by you, but every single play, we're gonna be the more dominant team.
• 43:58
  SPEAKER_15: When the Mike Keith show continues, I sit down with another freshman All-American from 2025, David Sanders.
• 44:06
  SPEAKER_15: The sophomore from Charlotte is changing positions and changing his mindset.
• 44:11
  SPEAKER_15: Stay tuned for that.
• 44:13
  SPEAKER_14: Back with more Big One Insider Access.
• 44:17
  SPEAKER_14: Directly to the stores with the voice of the Vault.
• 44:20
  SPEAKER_14: And you, we are the Vault Network.
• 44:30
  SPEAKER_14: It's a special free season kickoff on the Vault Network.
• 44:34
  SPEAKER_12: Sponsored by UT Medical, the official healthcare provider of the Vault.
• 44:42
  SPEAKER_15: Nearly half of the 2026 Tennessee volunteer team is new to the program.
• 44:47
  SPEAKER_15: Different leaders are having to emerge, and David Sanders is one of those players, even though he's just a sophomore.
• 44:54
  SPEAKER_15: Sanders was a freshman All-America selection in spite of the fact that he missed four games.
• 45:00
  SPEAKER_15: He played right tackle last season.
• 45:03
  SPEAKER_15: He opens his Tennessee's left tackle in 2026.
• 45:07
  SPEAKER_15: Expectations are high for the Charlotte Native, but Sanders has been dealing with expectations dating back to when he was just 15 years old.
• 45:17
  SPEAKER_15: David Sanders protects quarterbacks.
• 45:20
  SPEAKER_15: His family has his back.
• 45:30
  SPEAKER_15: Now, on your social media, it says right at the top.
• 45:32
  SPEAKER_15: QB protector.
• 45:35
  SPEAKER_15: As an offensive lineman, I mean, that is the job.
• 45:37
  SPEAKER_15: Right.
• 45:38
  SPEAKER_15: A lot of times guys don't get that is the job until, in some cases, when they go to the NFL.
• 45:43
  SPEAKER_15: But you immediately got that.
• 45:45
  SPEAKER_15: You've always claimed to be that.
• 45:47
  SPEAKER_15: When did you decide as an offensive lineman this is who you were going to be, and that that was going to be your primary responsibility?
• 45:54
  SPEAKER_16: I just feel like ever since I started playing the position, you know, that's the that's the whole nature of the job is to protect the quarterback.
• 46:00
  SPEAKER_16: You know, you don't let nobody touch the quarterback, you don't let nobody sack the quarterback.
• 46:03
  SPEAKER_16: Um, so that's just been like my driving factor ever since I started playing left tackle and all the way through high school.
• 46:08
  SPEAKER_16: Just my coach always was like, protect the quarterback, protect the quarterback.
• 46:11
  SPEAKER_16: So that was just, you know, I just stuck with that.
• 46:13
  SPEAKER_15: You were a little dinged up at the start of last year.
• 46:15
  SPEAKER_15: You didn't play until Mississippi State, right?
• 46:18
  SPEAKER_15: Correct.
• 46:18
  SPEAKER_15: If I remember properly, you were on the field for the drive when Tennessee tied the game.
• 46:23
  SPEAKER_15: Yes, sir.
• 46:24
  SPEAKER_15: And I remember seeing you be so enthusiastic.
• 46:28
  SPEAKER_15: Is that about as much fun as you've ever had playing football?
• 46:32
  SPEAKER_16: Yeah, that's up there for sure.
• 46:33
  SPEAKER_16: But I would say when I ran out the tee when we were wearing all black versus Oklahoma, that was a better feeling.
• 46:38
  SPEAKER_16: No fitter.
• 46:39
  SPEAKER_16: Yeah, it was it was it was electrifying for sure.
• 46:42
  SPEAKER_15: So had you seen the dark mode as a recruit, and so you had anticipated.
• 46:46
  SPEAKER_16: I had already knew what it was all about, but it was just something about actually being in the uniform and running out of the tea like when you had it all.
• 46:53
  SPEAKER_16: Like it was just a completely different feeling.
• 46:54
  SPEAKER_16: Can you describe the feeling in it?
• 46:56
  SPEAKER_16: Like, I I don't even know how to describe it.
• 46:57
  SPEAKER_16: It's like you gotta you gotta be able to do it.
• 47:00
  SPEAKER_16: Like, even sitting in the stands is a different feeling than actually doing it.
• 47:04
  SPEAKER_16: Like, I you can't describe it.
• 47:06
  SPEAKER_15: Can you compare anything in your life to how you feel when you run through the tea?
• 47:10
  SPEAKER_15: Uh running down the stairs on Christmas as a kid.
• 47:13
  SPEAKER_16: No kidding.
• 47:14
  SPEAKER_16: For sure.
• 47:14
  SPEAKER_16: Have you always loved football?
• 47:16
  SPEAKER_16: For sure.
• 47:16
  SPEAKER_16: I've always loved football ever since I started playing.
• 47:18
  SPEAKER_16: Why?
• 47:19
  SPEAKER_16: I just like the game because it's like you get to physically dominate the person beside or in front of you.
• 47:23
  SPEAKER_16: Um, because I always played tight end and defensive end, then I moved offensive line.
• 47:26
  SPEAKER_16: So I always played some physically dominating positions, and I've always kind of been one of the biggest players, if not the biggest player on the team and on the field.
• 47:34
  SPEAKER_16: Um, so just being the most dominant person at all times was definitely something that drove them.
• 47:38
  SPEAKER_15: When you got moved from tight end to tackle, was that a hard conversation?
• 47:43
  SPEAKER_15: Yes.
• 47:44
  SPEAKER_16: How did that happen?
• 47:45
  SPEAKER_16: Because when I was a kid, like you always see everybody scoring a touchdown.
• 47:48
  SPEAKER_16: Sure.
• 47:48
  SPEAKER_16: The cameras always are on the people that score in touchdowns.
• 47:50
  SPEAKER_16: Offensive linemen, they get no love.
• 47:53
  SPEAKER_16: So I'm just like, I'm not like they tried to play play me at tight uh offensive line, like freshman year, and I'm like, not doing it.
• 48:00
  SPEAKER_16: Yeah, but I was so good at blocking that my coach is like, I gotta have you.
• 48:03
  SPEAKER_16: I gotta so I always try to avoid all the offensive linemen drills.
• 48:06
  SPEAKER_16: Cause at high school, like summer workouts is a little bit different than when you get to college, like you get to kind of pick and choose what you want to do because you're high school, and so like I'm playing, I'm trying to be with the tight ends, I'm going to seven on seven tournaments, and I was actually pretty good.
• 48:17
  SPEAKER_16: And so just one day they sent me over there during like a blocking period, and I pancaked somebody like too good.
• 48:23
  SPEAKER_16: And that was my last day being a tight end.
• 48:26
  SPEAKER_16: So, when did you start loving offensive line?
• 48:29
  SPEAKER_16: I would say probably my sophomore year, probably the end of my sophomore year, junior year, because that's when I really started being more physically dominant in the position.
• 48:36
  SPEAKER_16: Um, because like they said, I was a little bit lighter, so I was 250, you know, sophomore years, junior year probably about 255, not really too big.
• 48:44
  SPEAKER_16: Um, so just try to learn the position, learn how to play for real, um, and just get strong and get bigger for sure.
• 48:50
  SPEAKER_16: What did David Sanders really weigh when he got to Tennessee?
• 48:54
  SPEAKER_16: Uh, I was 268.5.
• 48:57
  SPEAKER_16: 268.5.
• 48:58
  SPEAKER_16: Yes, sir.
• 48:59
  SPEAKER_15: And it was that about as heavy as you'd ever been?
• 49:01
  SPEAKER_16: Yeah, that was the heaviest I ever been in my life.
• 49:03
  SPEAKER_16: And I tried to be a lot heavier when I was on the way here, but it still wasn't.
• 49:07
  SPEAKER_15: So, but I mean, you did gain weight going into spring practice, and you'd obviously gained weight going into last season.
• 49:13
  SPEAKER_15: Right.
• 49:14
  SPEAKER_16: How many calories were you eating a day?
• 49:16
  SPEAKER_16: I I couldn't even put an exact number on it, but I was eating a lot, probably like three, four Chipotle bowls a day, just trying to like stuff myself, chugging water, chugging Gatorades, protein shakes throughout the day.
• 49:27
  SPEAKER_16: Like it was a tough process for sure.
• 49:29
  SPEAKER_15: When Coach Owings came in, how did he change the management of your diet towards your weight?
• 49:35
  SPEAKER_16: When he came in, we sat down and he talked about like his process with not only lifting, but how he wanted to change my body um like with the nutrition stuff.
• 49:44
  SPEAKER_16: Um, so he just wanted me to cut out the fried foods, uh, cut out a lot of the fat stuff.
• 49:48
  SPEAKER_16: Like, cause at this point, like now you're at a good solid weight.
• 49:51
  SPEAKER_16: Obviously, he wanted to continue to push my weight, but he wanted me to put on better weight and drop my body fat percentage back down to like how when I came in.
• 49:58
  SPEAKER_16: I was able to eat like Dost Bros and Chipotle, stuff like that.
• 50:02
  SPEAKER_16: Um stuff you still like, but in a way, more healthy.
• 50:06
  SPEAKER_16: Sure, sure.
• 50:07
  SPEAKER_16: Definitely.
• 50:07
  SPEAKER_16: So none of like the five guys, Little Caesars, Brand's Pizza.
• 50:11
  SPEAKER_16: Um, what else was something I really like?
• 50:13
  SPEAKER_16: Like Gus's fried chicken.
• 50:15
  SPEAKER_16: Yeah, I couldn't truly.
• 50:17
  SPEAKER_16: Yeah, I love that place.
• 50:18
  SPEAKER_16: But um, yeah, he wanted me to kind of stay away from those.
• 50:21
  SPEAKER_15: So you do get cheat days.
• 50:23
  SPEAKER_16: They definitely still have a couple cheat days.
• 50:25
  SPEAKER_15: Okay, he gives you a cheat day.
• 50:26
  SPEAKER_15: So you got a cheat day.
• 50:27
  SPEAKER_15: What are you doing?
• 50:27
  SPEAKER_16: Uh I'm probably gonna go to Gus's or or or get some pizza for sure.
• 50:31
  SPEAKER_15: Okay.
• 50:31
  SPEAKER_15: Yes, sir.
• 50:32
  SPEAKER_15: Well, that's okay.
• 50:32
  SPEAKER_15: You play 310-ish to 315.
• 50:35
  SPEAKER_15: You're in that general area.
• 50:37
  SPEAKER_15: Why is that such a good place for you to be now that you're at left tackle?
• 50:41
  SPEAKER_16: Even during fall camp, I'm able to anchor down a lot easier on bull rushes and power moves.
• 50:46
  SPEAKER_16: Um, but at the same time, I'm still able to use my quickness and my redirection and my speed to my advantage.
• 50:51
  SPEAKER_16: Um, because I do feel like that's one thing I'm really good at is beating a lot of defensive ends to the spot.
• 50:55
  SPEAKER_16: Um, so just being able to pop out and be agile at the same time, but still being able to have that strength to move somebody and anchor down on pass pro.
• 51:03
  SPEAKER_15: You love going down the field though.
• 51:05
  SPEAKER_15: Yeah.
• 51:05
  SPEAKER_15: I mean, I I've watched you.
• 51:07
  SPEAKER_15: You you love seeing the end of the pile, you love getting a block on a quick screen.
• 51:11
  SPEAKER_15: Yes, sir.
• 51:12
  SPEAKER_15: You I mean, is that back to your tight end days that that gives you enough of that feel that?
• 51:18
  SPEAKER_16: Yeah, I feel like when I'm out in space, like on a screen, like it just feels like you back out there a little bit.
• 51:22
  SPEAKER_16: And those are usually like the highlight plays, too.
• 51:25
  SPEAKER_16: So, like, if you get to pull or you get to get out on the screen, that's the time to show your athleticism.
• 51:30
  SPEAKER_15: Uber Eats, big deal in every college student's life, big deal in David Sanders' life.
• 51:35
  SPEAKER_15: What do you like most about Uber Eats?
• 51:37
  SPEAKER_16: Um, I just like how easy and accessible it is.
• 51:39
  SPEAKER_16: You know, I can order my food and it'll be there pretty fairly quickly.
• 51:42
  SPEAKER_15: Because the getting food when you're an offensive lineman's a big deal.
• 51:46
  SPEAKER_16: Definitely.
• 51:46
  SPEAKER_16: Especially like late at night, you know, when you don't really feel like driving, you can just order it.
• 51:52
  SPEAKER_15: Thanks for joining us for this special edition of the Mike Keith Show, our Tennessee football preview for 2026, presented by UT Medical, official health care provider of the Volves.
• 52:04
  SPEAKER_15: Getting ready for game one against Burman, we've got a lot more to come this week on the Mike Keith Show.
• 52:10
  SPEAKER_15: We'll see you next time.
• 52:17
  SPEAKER_14: All the week long to the latest from the Tennessee campus, Mike Keith Show, online, delivered by Uber 8.24.