What Tennessee's Josh Heupel said during his Wednesday press conference

What Josh Heupel said Wednesday during his bye week press conference on Wednesday, as No. 15 Tennessee prepares for next week’s game against Arkansas at Neyland Stadium:

Opening Statement

“Good work today on the grass. Bye week. I think, obviously for some of our guys, get healthy, but also just some work in. The focus is on us. Fundamentals, technique, things we control. Got to take a step. Young guys, got to continue to grow. It’s been an emphasis in our team meeting and today out on the grass. So, the backend of the week the staff will have a chance to get out and go recruiting as well. So, multiple things that we’ve got to get accomplished this week.”

If Tennessee didn’t chase receivers in the transfer portal because the coaching staff knew Chris Brazzell II could play at this level

“I anticipated and believed that he had a chance to grow and play at the level that he is right now. But not just him, the entire room. At the end of the day, in this game, at every level, but certainly here, it’s about development as well. And I like the traits that we saw in Chris and guys that we had in that room, liked what we were bringing in. It was about development. You guys heard me say it all offseason. It was a point of emphasis. Young guys can’t be young. It was certainly true for the freshmen, the new guys, but for guys that hadn’t been in our program very long. Coach Pope and the wide receiver room have done a great job of continuing to grow. Obviously Chris, who you asked about initially, he’s played extremely well. Done a great job (in) one-on-one situations, going and attacking the ball and making plays. Been a big part of our success this year.”

Keeping Tennessee motivated during the bye week while coming off an important road win

“We can point to last year and the way that we played coming off of the bye week. You look at last week, excited and happy about the way we competed. Went and played the next play, next series, went and finished the game. But there’s a lot of things that we can do a lot better. And that’s in every phase of the game, but certainly offensively and special teams. And whether you win or lose, it’s dealing with what the reality is and how you get better.” 

If the staff has any concern over the snap counts for any Tennessee players through five games, how mindful they have to be of workload

“Managing guys in practice is part of what we do all times of the year. We certainly take into account what they’re doing on game days as well. 

Guys got to prove that they’re ready to play, too. The game is going on every play. All 11 on the field. It’s a series of one plays that make the difference in a football game. So guys that think they’re ready, but may not be prepared, it’s time to get prepared. And things that they control on offense and defense, special teams. 

“The reality is you’re also getting ready to go into a long stretch in the slate. It’s just the nature of this game. Obviously the physicality of it, the violence of it, that guys get dinged up playing consecutive weeks after one another inside of this league. So there going to have to be guys that have to step up next week when we get to Arkansas, but throughout the course of it too, so continue to get guys ready and prepared to go play at the level they need to.”

The play of Tennessee freshman tackle David Sanders against Mississippi State, his role will be moving forward

“Thought he went in and handled himself extremely well. First action of the season, seven minutes and change in the ball game on a drive where you got to go score and tie it up. It was something I pointed out that everybody in our team room. I just used the word prepared, right? He was prepared for that moment when he went in and executed and handled himself the way he needed to to go score on a drive. Man, we’re gonna need them all as the season continues. Fight, strain and compete. And take what you want— individually and ultimately as a football team too.”

Tennessee’s Josh Josephs being critical of himself, performance of the LEO position

“Yeah, glad that he is critical of himself and wants to continue to improve. Great players continue to do that. That position, Josh (Josephs), who we were talking about with that position, they’ve made an impact on the game. Done a good job in run game. I think we asked him to drop, occasionally, and they’ve been solid job in their pass drops. Their ability to rush the passer has changed the way the game’s played here from the early part of the year and just want to see them continue to grow.”

His daughter being named homecoming queen, whether he was homecoming king in high school

“No, I was not. But it was a cool moment for her. Hopefully that speaks to who she is inside of that school and how she interacts with everybody that’s there. Wife got a chance to see it, be there. It was a cool moment for her.”

If he’ll be going to any local high school games this weekend

“Yeah, I’m going to be honest at this point, I’m not exactly sure where my travel plans are taking me, but I’ll be out on Thursday and Friday this week.”

Freshman Jack Van Dorselaer stepping up with Ethan Davis hurt

“Yeah, another guy I pointed out being prepared for his opportunities, played great on special teams. His reps on offense did a great job in the core. He was a big part of the overtime play where we were spring a run. Played with violence, speed and technique and created space there for DeSean. Score at the end of the game, outside quarterback zone, does a great job. He’s a young guy that he’s handled himself with great maturity and continues to get better, but he’s prepared and love the growth that we’ve seen from him.”

Tennessee preparing for a new Arkansas defensive coaching staff

“You dive as deep as you possibly can. I think it will be important for us schematically, one to communicate and adjust on the field, but two on the sidelines— staff and players together. (They) Had a ton of success last year and they three-down front that they did against us. Preparing for that and then we’re looking to adjust to anything else we see.”