Watch: Tennessee WR coach Kelsey Pope's Tuesday press conference

Kelsey Pope during his press conference on Tuesday updated the progress of Tennessee’s wide receivers, looked back at the win over UConn and looked ahead to Saturday’s game at Missouri:

The growth of Tennessee wide receivers and the group making more plays of late

“Yeah, I think, uh, I think that’s been the kind of the word of the year. Just growth. I think the leading part about that where you get to peak. So I think as those guys continue to work, the best version of themselves we’ll continue to see. Got a bunch of guys in new spots, a bunch of guys that are getting used to new roles. And I think ultimately that detail, the intensity that takes to prepare each week, I think just repetition over and over is what is allowing guys to be more comfortable. And now you’ve been able to see make more plays as of late. So I think as they continue to work, that plan will continue to come.”

Where Tennessee coaches have seen Dont’e Thornton improve

“Yeah, I think we’ve just been able to get him confident and comfortable. I think early on a lot of that meant that he’s a kid that he wants to do so well, and he kind of toed that line of like pressing and being aggressive. And just getting him to calm down and not press so much and just go play football. And I think now you’re seeing a confidence in him, which is why he’s able to go and make plays. So he’s playing in practice, continuing to do that, continuing keep be confident that way you can see him relax and play ball Saturday.”

Which Tennessee receivers have helped Dont’e Thornton develop his season

“I think Bru. I think Bru has been awesome for all of the guys. He’s always in the building. He’s in meetings, he’s in team meetings. And as devastating as it was having him go down, I think it gave him clear voice. He was already a leader of that group, but his voice, I think being able to speak to those guys, he’s helped each and every one of those guys tremendously.”

If he saw a different sense of urgency from Tennessee receivers after Bru McCoy was lost to injury

“Absolutely. And you never know when that moment’s gonna come. That’s why you always got prepared as if you’re up next. And so I think there was a big wake-up call. Not only about the urgency, but just opportunity when Bru went down. So you see some guys stepping make plays like Chas (Nimrod) made a couple huge plays of last week. Kaleb (Webb) made a really huge play last week and Dont’e and Ramel (Keyton) we talked about, but you know, it’s gotta create urgency within the group. And I think it has done that.”

If Dont’e Thornton is more comfortable lined up outside or if that’s an overstatement

“I think it’s an overstatement. We play guys in and outside most of the time. Sometimes it could be just getting him in one spot alone and getting comfortable. And the game slows down a lot quicker. That’s just kind of something, kind of case-by-case basis.”

The learning curve for Tennessee’s Dee Williams to play wide receiver

“He’s having to learn really a whole new side of football. He’s been learning defensive terminology so he’s now on the offensive side, just building him from the ground up. Day 1 foundation. So Dee’s handled that task well. He’s gotta continue to do that as the season goes on, but he’s been in the building, he’s learning, he’s asking questions, being fun. That’s all we can ask for. So it’s exciting to have him in the room as well. A guy with that type of talent, what he can do with the ball in his hands is always good.”

How growth is necessary for a coach and what it looks like

“It forces you to teach in new ways. It forces you to be able to articulate and inspire and motivate in different ways. Like the way that Squirrel’s motivated is not gonna be the same way Jalin Hyatt was motivated. Same way with Chas, Kaleb. Like you can’t make it the same way. So I think the biggest part of being a coach is having a voice, but also having an ear and knowing when and how to get through to certain players. And with each group, each year is gonna look different. Like each group is going gonna take on their own DNA. And I think as you continue to experience with that, that group, I think it also lets you know how guys are triggered and what brought you to push and when to push. So that’s been the biggest growth part for me this year.”

If he had to build a relationship with Dee Williams after Williams starting working with wide receivers

“I coached him all punt return, so the relationship was kind of seamless. I would like to think I had a good relationship with him, but he’s awesome. He’s a great kid on punt return, working with him there the last two years. So the connection was already there. The only piece building with him was just the terminology. Like I said, he’s done a great job of getting a spark and going in and working on and off the field. He’s becoming a wide out now.”

If Dee Williams making the move was something Williams advocated for himself

“I think hats off to that kid because his mindset’s always been like, I just wanna help the team in whatever way I can. Like if he’s snapper or he’s a placeholder, it don’t matter. His mindset has always been he wants to help the team. So I think once we made the move to him coming to offense, naturally he’s excited about that beause I think he feels some of his own skillset that could be used over there. So we’re gonna try to create some more opportunities for him.”

What the DNA of this Tennessee wide receiver group is

“I think that’s to be determined. I think I mentioned earlier like I think the best version in this group is yet to be out there. And I think as we continue to roll the rest of the season, we got a long season rest of the way, I think, man, that’s to be determined. I think just the way these guys have practiced the last couple weeks, you’re continuing to see guys do new things and become better. So I feel like the jury’s still out on that on that question.”

Joe Milton’s relationship with Tennessee wide receivers

“Joe does a good job leading those guys. He’s not afraid to hold those guys accountable. He’s not afraid to take accountability on his own. Those guys have done a good job of feeding off each other, talking through things, having to battle through some issues. And I think as we continue to go, communication stays open, I think you’ll be the best version of him as well. So he’s been awesome.”