Josh Heupel on using tight ends more in 2022: Gotta prove it on the field

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel moved mountains last season for the Volunteers, improving them from a 3-7 record before he was there to 7-6 in his first season last year. Heupel talked how himself and his staff are planning to utilize their depth at the tight end position and beyond this season in order to maximize his team.

“I don’t care if it’s offense, defense, special teams; coaches jobs are to take the guys that have proven that they’re going to compete at that championship level and find roles, find ways to use what they’re able to do and and put them in a position to be successful,” Heupel said. “So the more guys we have that are able to play at that level at the tight end position, but every position, is going to allow us to be a deeper and better football team.”

Heupel highlighted tight end Miles Campbell as someone in the tight end room to keep an eye on this season, and also talked about how this year’s roster has a lot more depth across the board that will make a big difference, especially in comparison to last season.

“That depth is something we’re talking about at the tight end position, a young man like Miles Campbell has a real opportunity to grow and earn some playing time here, but it’s something we’re talking about in every position room right now, and certainly on the defensive side of the football. A year ago you guys all know we were handcuffed in some ways, just the number of bodies that we had on campus that were scholarship players. We’ve added depth, we’re now at a full 85, we feel we have an opportunity to be deeper on the defensive side of the football, that’s important to us to be able to play guys but at the end of the day they’ve gotta go earn it and prove it over the course of training camp,” Heupel said.

The Vols bring back their two best pass catching tight ends from last season in Princeton Fant and Jacob Warren who combined for 34 catches, 399 yards, and 4 touchdowns. But hopefully over the course of training camp young tight ends like Campbell and UCF transfer Charlie Browder can show their worth and provide some depth at the position, earn some playing time, or contribute on special teams this season for the Volunteers.