Tennessee Offensive Lineman Cooper Mays Establishes Who the Real 'UT' Is

Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays establishes who the real UT is at SEC Media Days.

Jul 16, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Tennessee center Cooper Mays speaking at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports / Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays establishes who the real UT is at SEC Media Days.

SEC Media Days got kicked off on Monday and the Tennessee Volunteers took the podium on day two on Tuesday. Every head coach from the conference along with several players will have a chance to speak to the media this week in Dallas, Texas. On Tuesday, Tennessee veteran offensive lineman Cooper Mays spoke to the media about the upcoming season.

Mays has been part of the program for quite some time and was a massive piece that announced he would be returning for another season. He was joined by fellow teammates linebacker Keenan Pili and defensive lineman Omari Thomas at media days. During Mays' interview, he was asked about who the real 'UT' is now that Texas has joined the conference, and Mays made it very clear what the right answer is.

"Oh man, all I know is we were going 50 years strong before Texas was a thing," said Mays. "Then we had to go down there and save them a little bit, so that's what I got to say about it." 

The Voluneteers do not play Texas this season and will not play them next season as Oklahoma is on their schedule, but the first go around for the two programs will be a good one it sounds like.

Mays has received quite a bit of preseason love this year as he has been named to several All-American lists. Mays has played in 40 games with 32 starts, all at center, which will be huge to have on offense this season with Nico Iamaleava entering his first year as the team's full-time starting quarterback.

2024 SEC Media Days Schedule 

Monday, July 15th

• Brian Kelly (LSU)
• Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss)
• Shane Beamer (South Carolina)
• Clarke Lea (Vanderbilt)

Tuesday, July 16th

• Kirby Smart (Georgia)
• Eliah Drinkwitz (Missouri)
• Brent Venables (Oklahoma)
• Josh Heupel (Tennessee)

Wednesday, July 17th

• Kalen DeBoer (Alabama)
• Billy Napier (Florida)
• Jeff Lebby (Mississippi State)
• Steve Sarkisian

Thursday, July 18th

• Sam Pittman (Arkansas)
• Hugh Freeze (Auburn)
• Mark Stoops (Kentucky)
• Texas A&M (Mike Elko)

Other Tennessee News:

• Tony Vitello Turnaround Nothing Short of Brilliant for Tennessee Baseball
• Jaylen Williams Cuts Recruitment to Four Schools
• Tennessee Vols Football Could Make Playoff According to CFB Data Model

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