Josh Heupel not surprised to see impactful performance from Tamarion McDonald

Tennessee came out and dominated Ball State in its 2022 season opener. That was to be expected, but it was within the details that Volunteers fans have room to get excited. For instance, the emergence of defensive back Tamarion McDonald is an exciting development for the defense. However, it is not a surprise to head coach Josh Heupel.

While speaking to the media about the team’s opening night win, Josh Heupel praised Tamarion McDonald. He also made it clear that his impact was no surprise to the coaching staff.

“Yeah, young guy a year ago that played a ton of special teams, you know, the way Theo played [he] didn’t get a ton of opportunities at the star position,” Josh Heupel said.

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“Played in such a great way, gained confidence. So mature in the way that he’s competed–a different person than he was a year ago at this time. It was great to see him start the ball game the way that he did because of what he’s done leading up to it and no surprise in that way.”

Tamarion McDonald opened the game with an interception on Ball State’s first play of the game. It was a trick play, a reverse flea flicker, which McDonald read perfectly and was able to make a play on the ball. You can watch that play, here.

“I mean, we’ll go back and watch the tape, but I thought he played well at the defensive star position tonight,” Josh Heupel concluded.

Tamarion McDonald was a consensus three-star recruit from the Class of 2020.