Alec Abeln talks tight ends after Day 2 of Tennessee Football fall camp

Everything tight ends coach Alec Abeln said during his press conference after Thursday morning’s Tennessee Football practice, the second of fall camp:

If they’ve seen a different or new Miles Kitselman since he got a sixth year

“I wouldn’t necessarily say new. He’s kind of always approached it that way and I think it’s a credit to him. We all understand nothing happens by accident and things fall into place in ways you might not necessarily expect. 

But he’s been grateful for every opportunity since the day he got here. So I wouldn’t say it’s changed a whole lot, but certainly nice to have in the room.” 

What he’s seen from the Tennessee tight ends through two days

“I think, man, we put a lot on them through spring and through summer. And they’ve done a good job investing, making sure one, just alignment assignment, understanding what they’re being asked to do has been really good. 

Obviously, through two days, we’ll find out more as this camp gets going, but, I like the way they’ve prepared and what they’ve done manually to put themselves in position for a really good camp.”

Ethan Davis entering Year 3 as a tight end after playing more wide receiver in high school

“Yeah, 100%, I think there were flashes of it a lot last year. And just getting it to be on a consistent basis, like, where he has all the ability in the world and knows it. And it’s one of those things, especially in the core, when you feel what it’s supposed to feel like and get used to feeling that. I think that helps guys be more consistent with it, where a lot of times guys are putting in a bunch of work and really straining to get right with the technique, and they may not even realize it’s wrong until once they feel it right, then it kind of clicks for them. I think just the more you can feel it right, the more it becomes second nature.” 

How Miles Kitselman has attacked the rehab process and coming back from injury 

Yeah. I mean, like, you do expect Miles to. He’s pissed at me half the time because he wants to do more and he’s going to push that as hard as he can. He’s ahead of schedule, doing a great job with it, but just like you’d expect him to do it.”

If Miles Kitselman is a different leader entering his second year at Tennessee 

“Yeah, I think so. I mean, it’s tough when you come in as a incoming player, as a transfer, because first job you got to do is earn the trust and respect your teammates. And I think part of him kind of, he’ll say, getting his balls back during the spring, feeling more comfortable just earning their trust. I think he clearly established that he’s a guy that we can count on during the fall and understands there’s space for leadership this year. And this team has taken it to heart.”

Why Tennessee tight ends have followed Miles Kitselman’s leadership 

“I think his actions follow his words. I think he’s authentic with it. It’s not rah rah. It’s not coming from a place of look at me. It’s all about, man, how can we get better as a team. I think part of it helps when you play the way that he did in the fall, that guys look up to that and say, man, I want to be a good player. Here’s a good player doing things the way that we’re asking them to do it, doing it with great attitude and enthusiasm every day. It’s hard not to want to follow a guy that does those things.”

Tennessee freshman DaSaahn Brame

“I think, it’s really tough coming in because you want to go compete. He’s competitive as hell and being held back a lot of the spring, I think that’s really tough mentally. Especially when you transition to college, you’ve got a lot of other things going on and the one thing that you really love to do and want to do, you can’t do the way you want to. And I think when he got kind of reintroduced towards the back half of spring ball, there were a couple of days where it’s like, oh, man, I’m behind. And a little bit of that sits in. I think looking back, man, what a blessing that the summer he’s had as far as how deep the league’s been, the work he’s put in, all the stuff to get caught up where he doesn’t feel that way in fall camp has been really good for him. And I think obviously his pads come on. That’ll be a transition for everybody.  But I’m excited about where he is and just what he’s going to bring to the table.”

Tennessee freshman Jack Van Dorselaer surprising him

“I don’t know if surprise would be the right word, but I think one, it’s a credit to the program down in South Lake Carroll and the way that they prepare guys. Just his level of understanding what college football looks like mentally, physically. He came out during mat drills and was a freaking dog. I mean, tug of war champ down the line. I don’t know if he lost to tug of war all freaking spring. And another guy that just shows up to work every day, knows his job, plays really hard, wants to be great. Really excited about Jack.”

Jack Van Dorselaer as a receiving tight end, not just a blocker

“He’s a lot like (Kitselman), where I don’t know if he gets enough credit in the route. And I think last year, obviously, his senior high school, he played mainly defensive end, but you’ll see flashes on his tape as a junior and sophomore. He’s not nothing with the ball in his hand. He understands, I think in the route, so much of winning in the route is understanding what you’re getting, what the picture is, what the leverage is, how much space I have. I think he’s going to be a guy that absolutely can get open for us and do some things in space.”

Balancing teaching blocking and route running to Tennessee’s tight ends

“You know, you certainly ask a lot of these guys, and they’ve got to know it all. They’ve got to be able to do it all just the way that we play. I think everybody comes in a different spot. It’s kind of just figuring out where guys are at, what they need, how they learn best. Like, some guys are true, get out, signal to them, walk through all the time. Other guys, man, would rather watch ball and, like, truly grind on watching the tape. Really just figuring out one, where a guy is when he comes in the building, and then two, what’s the best way for him to learn and best way for him to get caught up.”

His beat up Tennessee hat that he coaches in

“You want to be consistent. When it gets colder, I’ll throw on a black hoodie.”

“This hat was given to us first year that I was here, and it was back before everybody could coach. It was back when the analysts were, like, not allowed to coach. And the black hat basically said, ‘Hey, make sure you’re not coaching, don’t coach.’ I kind of like the black hat. I don’t want to ruin any other hats, so I kind of kept this one going for a little bit.” 

Ethan Davis getting more physical

“Big jumps. Like I said earlier, it’s just being consistent with it. He’s absolutely capable of being a dominant player in the core. Knowing what to do for sure was step one. I think he’s gotten to a point now where, man, really assignment sound. Now, it’s about getting banked reps of what it’s supposed to feel like. And then obviously effort is to paint covers up bad carpentry. If it isn’t perfect if it’s not exactly right, just strain, finishing with everything it’s got.”