2-Minute Drill: Tennessee Assistants, players stress the ‘little things’ ahead of Kentucky
Tennessee assistant coaches – Alec Abeln and Brian Jean-Mary – as well as running back Dylan Sampson and linebacker Aaron Beasley, spoke to members of the local media on Tuesday morning as preparation for Kentucky continues.
The Vols take on the Wildcats on the road, Saturday at 7 o’clock eastern time on ESPN.
For Abeln, the first-year assistant is pleased with his group who have scored five touchdowns in the seven games this season. Veteran form the transfer portal McCallan Castles, who caught a six-yard score against Alabama, is really coming into his own according to the position coach.
“I think the biggest thing for him is always just playing one play at a time and not letting the last play affect the current play,” Abeln said on the senior. “He’s an unbelievable talent, like really has some upper-level skills that if he can do that one play at a time, he’ll continue to make big plays. I think it was awesome for him to make that one on Saturday.”
Jean-Mary discussed the importance of sophomore Elijah Herring stepping up into a starting role following the injury of transfer portal addition, Keenan Pili.
“Injuries are part of the game, so you never know when your number is gonna get called. Obviously it probably was a little earlier than we expected. Elijah is one of the kids that’s gotten better and better as the season has gone along,” Jean-Mary said. “From a kid we talked about from last year that really never played stack linebacker, was an edge rusher in high school, to learning how to play inside linebacker. You see flashes of a kid that’s got a chance to be a very, very good linebacker. And then there’s still some of those moments where the inexperience starts to show. But man, all in all, we’re happy with him.”
Brent Hubbs and Austin Price break down a Tennessee Tuesday on Rocky Top on the Exterior Home Solutions 2-Minute Drill.
