While several players have made their Neyland Stadium debut at some point this season, two newcomers to the Tennessee football team described what it was like to play in the Vols’ stadium, especially at night.
The reactions from both freshman linebacker Arion Carter and transfer 5th-year senior John Campbell Jr. show just how impactful playing in Neyland Stadium can be regardless of the time that you have – or haven’t – spent around the college football game.
Campbell transferred to Tennessee this past offseason after spending the first five years with the Miami football program. The 6-foot-5 left tackle spoke about the positive differences he has experienced in Knoxville compared to Miami during training camp but had the chance to share his first reactions of Neyland Stadium during a press conference on campus on Wednesday.
The new fan-favorite Vol once again captivated the attention of fans online after the conclusion of his press conference.
“I ain’t going to lie, the stadium, the fans, I don’t know, it just felt like I was on that prime time stage,” Campbell said with a smile. “It was lit. It was just crazy seeing all of the people out there. It was loud. The crowd really brought that juice. It was sold out before but they really brought that juice at night.”
Campbell and the Tennessee team have now played two afternoon games and one night game inside Neyland Stadium this season. The Vols’ night game this past weekend against South Carolina was particularly loud after head coach Josh Heupel urged the fans to bring as much energy as possible during the week.
“It was just great,” Campbell continued on to say. “It was electrifying. It was crazy for me. You know, I never really had no fans before like that, but it was just great seeing a sold-out, packed-out crowd that’s into it, juiced up, and rooting for us. It was crazy for me.”
More from RTI: New Bowl Projections for Tennessee Football after 4-1 Season Start
Despite five years’ worth of games at the college level, Neyland Stadium’s environment still stood out to Campbell. Tennessee freshman linebacker Arion Carter feels the same, just without the prior experience.
Carter, a native of Smyrna, Tennessee, was a blue-chip prospect in the Vols’ 2023 recruiting class that projected for early playing time this season. With transfer linebacker Keenan Pili out with injury, Carter has carved out a nice role for the Vols’ defense.
The freshman linebacker pointed to a specific Tennessee tradition that impressed him last weekend against the Gamecocks.
“For me, it was running through the T,” Carter said about which Neyland experience was the most eye-opening. “That night game, just seeing the fireworks, all the people cheering, and running through that T – there’s nothing like it. It’s like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That was a big eye-opener for me.”
Whether you’re a college football veteran who just hasn’t played at Tennessee or you’re a freshman player waiting for their first night game on Rocky Top, the joy and awe that Campbell and Carter both spoke about sure seem to be memorable.
No. 22 Tennessee has an open date this week but will be back in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, October 14 for a matchup against Texas A&M. The Vols’ athletic department announced on Thursday that Checker Neyland will be active for Tennessee’s big cross-conference game at 3:30 p.m. ET in Knoxville.
Tennessee’s John Campbell Jr. shares his thoughts on playing SEC football under the lights of Neyland Stadium for the first time. pic.twitter.com/9SGKP0ToGZ
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 4, 2023
