What Tennessee tight ends coach Alec Abeln said after Saturday morning's spring practice

What tight ends coach Alec Abeln said during his press conference after Tennessee Football spring practice on Saturday morning:

How different Tennessee redshirt sophomore tight end Ethan Davis is compared to a year ago 

“I think he’s taking a huge step. One, just having an offseason where his body is healthy going into it has allowed him to really get stronger. Not to put on weight but really changing his body. And all through however many days it’s been, he’s been doing a really good job, got to clean up some stuff in the line, but really taking a bunch of steps and got to continue to do that.” 

Tennessee senior tight end Miles Kitselman taking on a new role while sidelined by injury

“I mean not too different from when he was out there practicing with us. He’s always kind of been that guy. And I think for him it sucks, but it’s an opportunity for him to get his lower half where he wants it. And really be intentional with the young guys, where he’s not having to worry about his reps right now. He’s able to be in those guys’ ear the entire time. And can’t say enough about the way that he’s embraced the challenge of what he’s going through and just continuing to make us better.” 

How consistent Ethan Davis has been this spring and how big of a step consistency is for him

“I mean, that’s the end of the game. There were moments last year throughout the season that he’d do really good things and flash and be like, man, if we can just do this on a consistent basis, we can really trust you more. It’s been really consistent and I think it starts really with just having consistent energy of practice. And understanding that as he grows up and matures and it’s really cool to think about where he was when he walked in the door, just not only as a football player but really as a human and how he attacks every day, how his enthusiasm is so contagious for our room. But I think being consistent on the field starts with having a consistent mindset. And I think that’s been the biggest thing for him this spring.” 

If there’s more of a sense of urgency among the Tennessee tight ends with Miles Kitselman injured 

“Yeah, I think it’s been awesome for the other guys. And awesome is maybe not the right word, but really forces them for sure to step up. But there should always be urgency in the room. And I think our guys know this isn’t a one-man room. And the amount of guys that have an opportunity to play and the guys that are fighting for those reps, there’s always going to be an urgency. But I do think it’s been awesome for Ethan from a leadership perspective, from an on-field leadership. Like you lead with your words for sure, but you lead by how you attack the day and how you approach the day. And really since Kits has been down, it’s something that that responsibility is falling on them, making sure that the whole group is rocking and rolling.”

Tennessee promoting Evan Crabtree to special teams coordinator, the culture and opportunity for graduate assistants to move up

“One, I think it’s a credit to Heup (Josh Heupel) for giving trust to the guys, putting a vote of confidence. I know I can speak for that really to a high level. But I also think it’s something that it’s not just, hey, you’re the next in line, so you’re the guy. Crab earned that every single day that he was here in his role before, brought a lot to the table and has done a really good job through the spring of continuing to add value, challenge the way we do things and ultimately make us better.” 

Tennessee using more sets with two tight ends last season, how the Vols are building on that

“Yeah, it’s something that we’ve always had when we’ve had the ability to do it, as far as when you’ve got three bodies. Man, ’12’ (personnel) has been a part of this offense since I was playing. Obviously it’s nice to have those guys. I think as we continue to grow and it becomes more normal for them, it just expands what you can do from it.”

Tennessee freshman tight end Jack Van Dorselaer and the strides he is making during spring practice 

“First things first, through winter workouts, absolutely crushed it. And I think for him, coming in with everything throughout recruiting, as far as a guy that cares at a really high level, plays really tough. As far as just Day 1, lining up doing his job, executing, tons of stuff to clean up fundamentally. But as far as just alignment, assignment, execution, man, like better than any of the transfers we’ve had as far as day 1, just getting able to operate. He’s got to clean up a bunch of technique stuff and continue to get better, but I think, really can’t say enough about how much he prepared in the offseason to have the spring that he’s had so far.”

If there’s a difference in coaching freshmen new to Tennessee’s system vs. coaching transfers who have played in other systems

“Not really. I think our urgency with every guy that steps in the door is an urgency to get them ready to play. And every guy is going to start at different spots. So whether you’re a transfer or not, there’s guys, we’ve had three of them, that all come in at radically different spots in terms of their knowledge, in terms of their understanding. And the same goes for the high school guys. I think our job’s to really meet them where they are when they’re walking in the door. And ultimately we got to get them where they need to be in the fall. But as far as urgency in getting them ready to play, it’s no different for a high school senior as it is for a transfer.”

How much the size of Jack Van Dorselaer could help him make an immediate impact at Tennessee as a freshman

“Yeah, I mean, it’s no secret, it’s a grown-man’s league. You better be strong, you better be physical, you better be able to last in there. And I think credit to, one, the work that he put in before he got to campus to be where he is at. And also understand that he’s done a great job (and know) there’s still more meat on the bone that he’s got to put on and still some more that, it’s never that you come in as a ready product and we’ve got to continue to push what we can do with our bodies.”

Tennessee redshirt freshman tight end Cole Harrison and what he sees from him 

“I think really outside of getting tackled, he’s pretty full-go right now and I think that’s been awesome for him. Was really excited about where Cole was through fall camp. And being able to have him back for the spring and really get to play with a little bit more confidence. I think he’s similar really to Cali (McCallan Castles) more than anybody else in the room in terms of, man, you know what you’re doing now, you understand your job, let’s go play with confidence. Like he’s earned the right to play more confident. I think when he does it’s going to be really good.” 

The growth he has seen from freshman DaSaahn Brame this spring 

“Yeah, I mean obviously it’s a challenge when you come in and there are setbacks, injury-wise, that are keeping you from being able to go and I know he’s so hungry. And just like Kits, it kills him not to be full-go through this part of spring. But I think at the same time, being a great teammate, being engaged, continuing to chase the mental reps of it and maximize every snap — whether I’m in or not, I can get something out of it — he has done a really good job of just staying positive, staying present, continuing so that when he does come back, it’s not Day 1.”