There’s a common phrase used about great free safeties.
“They’re back there playing centerfield and keeping everything in front of them.”
Tennessee football assistant coach Mike Ekeler has his eye (jokingly) on two Vol baseball players to come play safety for the football team. After both Hunter Ensley and Kavares Tears made incredibly impressive catches running into the wall during Tennessee’s first three College World Series games, Ekeler tweeted that the football team has two new safeties.
Just in @Vol_Football has 2 new Safeties from @Vol_Baseball 🏈⚾️🌶️🔥#dropthe🔨🩸pic.twitter.com/gBETWoy3au
— Mike Ekeler (@CoachEkelerUT) June 20, 2024
Ensley and Tears both displayed impressive football traits on their catches on top of the stereotypes given to safeties. Both were moving full speed and were completely fearless tracking to the ball and making the play while running into the wall.
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They each showed physicality and toughness on the play as well as strong ball tracking, all necessary skills for a safety.
Ensley and Tears have both had fantastic seasons both at the plate and in the outfield for Tennessee baseball. They hit back-to-back at five and six in Tennessee’s lineup and play beside one another in center and right field. Ensley suffered an injury on his catch at the wall which forced him to DH against Florida State. Tears moved to centerfield in his absence.
Ironically, Tennessee football will be breaking in two new starters at safety this season after losing last year’s starters Jaylen McCollough, to graduation, and Wesley Walker, to the transfer portal. It’s unclear who will fill their starting roles but Andre Turrentine, MTSU transfer Jakobe Thomas and Will Brooks appear to be the most likely candidates.
