Josh Heupel Updates Spring Practices, Recruiting Calendar

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel joined the 247Sports Recruiting Show to discuss the new dynamic in his program and how the momentum translated to recruiting.

On Thursday afternoon, head coach Josh Heupel joined the 247Sports Recruiting Show. Heupel answered a range of questions from spring ball to the upcoming recruiting classes and certain 2023 signees.

Heupel spoke about how much of an impact the breakthrough 2022 season has had on recruiting for 2023 and 2024 and described it as a "huge" difference. He added that there is now "tangible evidence of the connection in our building." The Volunteers' "exciting, aggressive brand of football" resonates with recruits that Tennesee has talked to. 

This is Tennessee's first top-ten recruiting class since 2015, as mentioned on the show. That class included players like Alvin Kamara and Jauan Jennings. Those are some impressive names, and to reach their standard, players must constantly be working, which is what many of Tennessee's 2023 recruits are doing. Eighteen recruits are already on campus, forgoing their final semester of High School.

Heupel commended the class, including their maturity and how they conduct themselves in Knoxville. The goal for these early enrollees, Heupel says, is to return for fall camp as "completely different players, more mature." 

The final topic Heupel spoke on was the national recruiting by the Vols. He said developing national connections and expanding the recruiting effort outside the base Tennesee area is important. This includes players like quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who is already on campus from Downey, California.

Heupel described Iamaleava as a player with "special gifts" but also mentioned the conduct of the 2023 quarterback off the field. "He's a great player, but also a great teammate who's selfless and works hard. He's making great strides". 

It is an exciting era to be a Volunteer fan, and the words of Coach Josh Heupel should do nothing but increase the excitement. The Vols are preparing for Spring Practice, which Coach says will start in Week 8 of the semester. 

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