Volunteer Country

Vols Sound Off On Saturday's Action

Josh Huepel, Joe Milton and a few other key Tennessee Volunteers spoke on what Saturday's Orange and White Game meant for them and their team.

Brady Penn

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Tennessee has very good reason to be optimistic following the conclusion of its 2023 Spring football activities. Head coach Josh Heupel and a few players talked to the media to elaborate on the spring and today's scrimmage.

I asked Heupel about the improvement in the Vols secondary, a much-maligned unit, in 2022. Coach remarked, "There's been improvement in that area through the entirety of Spring Ball. It showed up in what they're doing on the field; Technique, fundamentals. We've got a long way to go, but I like that we have competition." Heupel mentioned how far the group has come since last season, a memorable one for the team as a whole but not as much for the defensive backend.

After Heupel, QBs Nico Iamaleava and Joe Milton III came out to talk to the media along with DB Wesley Walker. When I asked Nico about Milton and their relationship, Nico said he has always looked up to Joe. Iamaleava described the two's relationship as a brother-like one. Milton, when asked about his biggest point coming into the Spring, kept it simple; "Have fun."

Milton says that the goal was accomplished, and a lot of that is due to the experience and knowledge he has gained since first stepping foot in Rocky Top. "I don't have to relearn a play twice. I know what's going on; If Nico or Gaston has a question, I can answer it."

As the Vols wrap up spring ball and head into summer workouts, the sky is the limit. With veterans like Milton leading both the team and young guns like Nico, the program is headed in a great direction. Heupel loves it. Vols fans love it. And in a few months, the team will see the fruits of their labor against the nation's best. 

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Brady Penn
BRADY PENN

Brady Penn is a writer who has spent multiple years covering sports for multiple publications. Starting with "The Clarion", Brevard College's school publication, where he won an award for Sportswriting from the North Carolina Collegiate Media Association. Brady continues his work with The Clarion, as well as writing for SI's Volunteer Country and writing Braves pieces for SportsTalkATL.com. Brady is a rising Senior at Brevard, where he plays Football and does Play-by-Play broadcasting for BC Baseball, Men's/Women's Basketball and Softball.

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