Omari Thomas on Tennessee’s team chemistry: ‘That’s the culture we push’

Tennessee is improving its culture and off the field. In a conversation with On3’s Andy Staples, Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas pulled back the curtain on the Volunteers’ team chemistry.

“If you were just walking around Knoxville, you probably would never just see a football player by himself,” Thomas said. “If you see one, you probably see multiple. That’s just how we travel. It hasn’t been talked about or anything like that. That’s the culture we push — to be a family, to actually be brothers.

“You can’t fake things like that because if I feel like you’re faking a real friendship, real brotherhood with me, how can I trust you? And, we build off that trust. We build off those relationships. Like you said, our whole team, they do get along. Everyone loves each other. Everyone just wants what’s best for everyone, and we just want to win.”

Many of Tennessee’s players are new to the program. The Volunteers are only returning 52% of its production from last season, per ESPN. The program lost three players during the 2024 NFL Draft and another eight signed with franchises as undrafted free agents.

Additionally, Tennessee lost 13 players to the transfer portal but added 10 players to soften its loss. Moreover, Tennessee reeled in the No. 13 class in the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. The group consists of 21 players.

All of the roster turnover only makes Tennessee’s chemistry more impressive. With opponents such as Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia ahead in the 2024 campaign, Tennessee will take any advantage it can find.

Tennessee embraces high expectations for 2024 campaign

Of course, Tennessee is no slouch, either. The team came in at No. 15 in the first AP Top 25 of the season. Earlier this offseason, Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel weighed in on the high expectations surrounding Tennessee.

“That’s just the way you want it. That’s why you come to Rocky Top,” Heupel said. “They do care, 365 days out of the year. The expectations outside of the building are never going to be higher than what they are inside of our room.

“Our guys in today’s landscape, you don’t block out the noise. But you can be intentional on what you let live in your headspace, versus moving it out of your headspace, and for us, this group has been really good at how intentional they are in their work habits.”

Tennessee will have a chance to show off its team chemistry when it squares off against Chattanooga at 12:45 p.m. ET on Aug. 31. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.