What outside linebackers coach Levorn Harbin said after Tennessee's Wednesday practice

What Tennessee’s ‘Coach Chop‘, outside linebackers coach Levorn Harbin, said during his press conference after Wednesday’s practice during fall camp at the Anderson Training Center:

Tennessee’s Jordan Ross development, start to camp

“Jordan has matured very much so on and off the field. He’s done a great job of doing maintenance work and doing a great job in the weight room too. So sometimes he’s lifting twice a day and he’s working out in his own way with drills on the weekend. And then the biggest thing is just living in the training room because he plays so hard, man. He’s unbelievable. He plays hard, he’s carrying his weight really good and he’s just a focused young man that wants to be great right now.”

If there’s been a mindset switch that’s led to that

“I don’t think it was a switch. I think he was trying to feel his way on how college life feels on and off the field. Once he got that part figured out and aligned with his goals, then he just moved forward with getting better on and off the field.”

What his first few practices of fall camp have been like

“Oh, it’s been great. Been a lot of energy, glad to be out on the field. Always good to smell that fresh grass. The kids have been really working hard, buying into our system. I mean we’ve been going since really February, so really we just going back through the install. So they’ve been pretty sharp with the plays. Just trying to continue to get in shape and continue to push the envelope for the guys to get better with effort and with technique.”

Joshua Josephs being sidelined, if that heights the urgency for Tennessee’s other LEOs

“I have with Caleb (Herring) and Jordan (Ross) and also with (Emmanuel) Okoye. Those guys are getting much needed valuable reps versus really good on good talent. So that’s benefited them more than them just getting half the reps. They get all the reps now, so that’s been good for them. Competition wise and from the mental side.”

Caleb Herring’s growth

“He’s taken a more leadership role in the room, leading the guys from the standpoint of pushing everybody, attention to detail, working hard, calling them out, calling himself out sometimes. Also when he knows he’s not doing what he needs to at 100% and just making sure he just leads. He’s almost like a senior in my eyes because he came in a year after Josh, so he’s been here for three years so he know how we want things. So he’s been pushing the envelope on and off the field for those guys and do it right every time and he’s bought into the system so he just carried it. What we say in the meetings, he’s carrying it to the fields.”

What he’s seen from Joshua Josephs this offseason

“He’s been doing a great job of studying how he can get better. That’s the biggest thing when you recognize some things you need to work on. That’s what he worked on this off season. He knew he needed to get a little bit better with his pass rush and get a little bit bigger and stay at a certain size so he can take the pounding throughout the year. But he’s been a little bit more outgoing as far as trying to be with the guys, hang with the guys and also try to be more physical on a consistent basis.”

Replacing James Pearce’s production

“I think as a pack, I think we can get to the production we had last year. Hopefully we can push the envelope a little further as a collective group. I think we can do it. I think everybody will pitch in and have the skillset to pitch in. We just got to get a couple of young guys and new guys to come in. I think those guys are going to be fine. I think the production will be where it should be or better for Tennessee.”

What he’s seen from Tennessee’s Emmanuel Okoye

“Yes, he’s taken some steps. Everybody needs to understand that he’s been hurt every fall he’s been here. So this will be his first true camp or really practice sessions with us. He’s a gifted young man. He’s trying to learn the game. He’s raw, but I mean he’s going to give you effort. He’s passionate about getting good every day and he’s taking the steps mentally and physically. He’s just got to keep working and I know he will. And I just gotta make sure I keep pushing him and making sure I give him a tube to be successful.”