Tennessee tight ends coach Alec Abeln met with the local media on Thursday morning following the Vols’ second practice of fall camp.
Abeln has been on Heupel’s staff all four years he’s been at Tennessee but is entering just his second season as tight ends coach. On Thursday, Abeln discussed the improved depth at the tight end spot, how he’s improved as a recruited and much more.
Here’s everything that Abeln said on Thursday.
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On if he feels like Tennessee is deeper at tight end entering this season, rotating more than two players at the position
“Absolutely. It’s actually really nice to have three guys where even during practice you’re not worried about burning guys out, keeping guys fresh. We’ve got three guys that can play at a really high level right now. And getting to watch them compete for it has been awesome.”
On the physical development and offseason improvements made by Tennessee redshirt freshman tight end Ethan Davis
“Yeah, I mean physically he’s 245 pounds right now, which was the hugest thing for him. Last year was just getting his body ready to survive in this league. Mentally, it’s really cool to see last year to this year. And really this spring from last spring, just how far he is come mentally where he is able to just go play free and do the stuff that we all know he is capable of doing.”
On which Tennessee tight ends have stepped up in leadership positions after the departure of Jacob Warren and McCallan Castles
“Really, honestly, every guy in our room has a leadership quality that’s been really good. Miles (Kitselman) comes to work every day, attacks stuff. He’s a little bit more vocal, a little bit more blue collar if you will. Holden (Staes) shows up with great energy, great attention to detail every day. He’s a positive influence. (Ethan Davis), when his energy is the right way, there’s nobody that’s got a better personality, better energy for our group when he shows up with that type of energy. It’s contagious for all of us, but really all those guys have stepped up in a big way.”
On what questions he needs answered during camp from two transfers in Holden Staes and Miles Kitselman and a redshirt freshman in Ethan Davis
“I think for them it’s just getting comfortable and playing free. It is different than where Cali (McCallan Castles) was at a year ago for both those guys. It doesn’t necessarily feel like there’s still a year-one gap. Both those guys, I mean there’s a little thing here or there, but that’s, everybody. Can’t say enough about the work they’ve invested in getting ready mentally to play. But as far as who’s going to go take it on Saturday, pads come on in two days and that’ll tell us a lot more as well.”
On how he has grown as Tennessee’s tight ends coach when it comes to recruiting
“I’m not a guy that really gets anxious or stresses about much, but a year ago, especially the first couple months, it was something that, obviously you understand the importance of (recruiting). And truth be told, I was sitting in church like early May and we have a prayer card, 21 days of prayer, and I wrote down recruiting. And had a little note typed up in my phone and just said, hey God, put the right men in my room. However it looks, however it’s supposed to be, I’m trusting you, I’m going to view recruiting from that lens of. Just give me the right men in my room. And two days later a kid commits to Georgia and cancels his OV. And the summer wasn’t great. And come December, whatever fourth or fifth, like things were looking pretty rough. And as I look around the room now, man, like God answered that prayer for sure. I think for me, just having time with these guys to get to know guys, them to build rapport with us and then also there’ve been great kids in this cycle that really just naturally connect with.”
On if working with Alec Abeln last year gave him a blueprint for working with transfers
“Yeah. A little bit. Callie did a great job. I think, one I was juggling a lot, wearing a lot of hats at the time when he first got in hereI can’t give enough credit to Cayden Cochran and the work that he’s done, when I’m on the road, with these guys and daily work. I mean Cole Harrison got here in freaking June and he’s executing at a higher level than most of our guys that got here in January. Like it’s been awesome and a lot of that’s credit to Caden.”
On if that prayer was answered because better opportunities came along or he got more comfortable in that role
“Probably both. I think with anything, the more you do it— like I’m gonna work hard at whatever I do and I don’t think effort was anything to do with last year (struggles). I really don’t. But as far as just the guys that got in my room in December and January, like looking around even this spring is like holy cow and you look at guys that we got coming on deck, like have a chance to be really special.”
On if it’ll be hard to find roles for three-plus tight ends
“No, I don’t think so. One, their chemistry’s great. They all obviously want to play. They all obviously want to be the starter that’s still up for grabs. It’s open competition this camp and I know that’s the stock coach answer, but that’s the reality of it. They’ve each got different skill sets which allows you to do different things with each guy. Gives us flexibility as a staff, which we can get into and what we can call for certain guys. I think the offense is still the offense but definitely gives us ability to use guys really intentionally.”
On if Ethan Davis’ skillset allows them to do things in the offense that they haven’t yet done
“Yeah, I think so. I mean as a pass catcher he is pretty unique. He’s really a big slot when he lines up like that and getting him to where he can do the rest of the job, like that’s been the challenge for a year now and he’s answered the bell in a big way. So a long way to go but he’s unique.”
On how Coach Heupel and Coach Halzle helped him while he was overwhelmed
“They’re the same guys every day and I think if they understand you’re working and you’re trying, they’re gonna help you with things here and there and they’ve both been a huge part of every guy that’s in the room now. Just not only helping keep me confident and everything but also helping recruit these guys as well.”
On what he likes about freshman tight end Cole Harrison
“He’s a guy we watched after his first three games and thought, how the hell does this guy not have an offer? I probably shouldn’t cuss right there, but like how does this guy not have big time stuff going on? Because you see the length. You see he’s a really fluid mover, he’s got natural hips, he does more in the core than your average high school guy and went out and watched him play early in the fall and body type, like he’s what you want. I don’t know why he ended up falling into our lap, but glad he did. Super loose, really twitchy. He cares and works at a really high level as well. He’s done an awesome job getting ready to play this fall camp.”
