Josh Heupel delivers rave review on cornerback Christian Charles

The Tennessee Volunteers are not as well staffed as they’d like to be at the cornerback position, and its effects have been felt during spring practice. However, one cornerback has impressed head coach Josh Heupel with his growth and development this offseason. Defensive back Christian Charles received a rave review from the Volunteers’ head coach. At the same time, Heupel explained the current practice conditions for Tennessee’s defensive backfield.

“We’re thin right now and as we work throughout the course of the day, some of those guys are having to double up, you know with two and three reps. I feel like those guys that are getting a bulk of reps and have done a really nice job,” said Heupel.

Tennessee’s lack of depth in the defensive backfield has created an opportunity for max reps to those hungry enough to take them. And Charles has been one of the primary beneficiaries thanks to his work in the offseason.

“You mentioned Christian Charles. He’s a guy that inside of our program. We continue to feel better and better about just because of the performance. He’s a great kid. Gonna be a phenomenal leader inside of our program. He’s got great work habits. Completely added or changed his body during the offseason lead up to spring ball. Had a great first seven weeks in the strength conditioning portion of it. And you see him getting more and more reps and more comfortable through that rep progression here on the grass.”

Charles is entering his second year in the program. The six-foot-one sophomore out of Gainesville, GA, saw limited playing time in his freshman campaign. He finished the 2021 season with eight total tackles, six solo, and a past deflection.

Tennessee freshman Squirrel White shows off incredible speed

Tennessee may have found a big-time playmaker in true freshman receiver Marquarius “Squirrel” White. The 5-foot-9, 153-pound Alabama native has incredible speed, and that was on display at Tuesday’s spring practice.

A video was posted to Twitter showing White sprinting down the field toward the end zone, where he calmly caught a deep ball thrown his way. Although it is still very early in his college career, that highlight provided a glimpse into what he can provide for the Volunteers in 2022 and beyond.