With their first three spring camp workouts in the rearview mirror, Tennessee had four offensive freshmen players speak with the media after practice on Thursday morning in Knoxville.
Tennessee’s four players included quarterback Jake Merklinger, offensive lineman Gage Ginther, and wide receivers Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews. Spring workouts will continue on Rocky Top through the 2024 Orange & White game on April 13 in Neyland Stadium.
The Vols brought in 14 players from the 2024 recruiting cycle this winter/spring and still expect to bring in seven more signees throughout the summer. While some early enrollees had the chance to get acclimated through bowl practices, spring camp is the first major set of workouts that the freshman class will go through before their first season.
Tennessee’s four offensive players spoke about their experience through the first few practices, Peyton Manning showing up to speak with the team, how they fit in with their respective position groups, and much more.
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Check out all four interviews from Thursday in Knoxville below:
Tennessee WR Mike Matthews
On the competition among wide receivers…
“I would say that it’s a good mix of both [competitive and uplifting]. It’s definitely very intense, but everybody wants everybody to be good, because we want to be good as a receiver group. It’s pretty much everybody pushes everybody, but there’s also no slacking going on. It’s pretty much a good mix of both worlds.”
Tennessee QB Jake Merklinger
On what advice he received from Peyton Manning and Joe Milton III in the past 24 hours…
“That was super cool to see such a Tennessee legend like Peyton Manning. It was really cool to just hear from him, hear how he played the game and his advice to us. Getting to see Joe again was really cool. I got to be with Joe a little bit during bowl practice. Just to see those guys, it was super cool.”
Tennessee WR Braylon Staley
On what he does well as a wide receiver…
“I can play with speed. Right now, I’m trying to get used to just the pace of this offense–the tempo. I’m trying to get used to playing with my speed because I know I can run fast. I have great hands, and I can run routes, so I’m just working on getting out of my breaks faster.
Tennessee OL Gage Ginther
On why he chose Tennessee…
“The big thing for me, I have always wanted to play in the SEC. It’s the best conference in college football. Especially being out West in Colorado, I didn’t get much SEC attention, so once I got that Tennessee offer, I knew this was where I had to go. I committed fast. The coaching staff, they are all tight and great people. They have been real since I got here. Nothing changed from recruitment. I am just thankful for them and that is a big reason I came, the coaching staff and the SEC.”
