Alec Abeln says Jacob Warren's return changed everything for Tennessee tight ends

Jacob Warren changed the outlook of Tennessee’s 2023 season. On Thursday, UT tight ends coach Alec Abeln discussed the impact of Warren’s offseason decision.

“I started sleeping a lot better. It changed everything in terms of you knew that you had at least one guy that you knew you could count on to go to war with, and at that point, just trying to find the pieces of who else was going to be there with him. But, man, it really made it easier for us,” Abeln said.

The offseason decision was simple for Warren: return for a sixth and final collegiate season or move on. Obviously, Warren chose the former. The Volunteers are thankful he did. Warren enters his third-straight season as the starter at tight end for Tennessee.

In his career, Warren has tallied 37 receptions for 416 yards and four touchdowns. While the Tennessee native’s numbers don’t jump off the page, he brings more than consistent route running to the table.

Warren is a team leader, serving as UT’s Wuerffel Trophy and AFCA Good Works Team nominee while being named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll a record five times. Warren didn’t wait long after Tennessee’s win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl to announce his return.

“My time in Knoxville has been amazing,” Warren wrote. “I love this place and the people that I have been on this journey with the past few years … With that being said, I will be returning for my final year of eligibility and playing one more season at Tennessee.

“I appreciate you all for the endless support and look forward to one more ride in Neyland Stadium.”

Jacob Warren embraces his role

Although Warren isn’t always the motor propelling the ride forward, he’s happy to be a part of the machine.

“Being a tight end in this offense, it takes a special mind, special person physically and mentally to be able to play tight end in this offense,” Warren said at SEC Media Days. “Not because it’s super hard, but just because we’re asked a lot, we’re asked to do things that are kind of the central points of a lot of different plays, whether it’s run blocks or a pass concept or something that we’re relied on a lot to do things for other people within this offense.

“That’s something that myself and all my other tight ends in that group truly embrace. We enjoy the fact that we’re looked at as the smart guys, right? You couldn’t see it because it was under the table, I used quotations. We’re kind of that missing piece, kind of what we like to say. We take a lot of pride in being able to do that. Obviously love to get rewarded with some third down catches or some red zone touches and things like that.”