By Lily Helton
The time has come. Four more days until kickoff for the Tennessee Volunteers. Four more days until Neyland Stadium can be heard for miles across the Tennessee River.
There are a lot of questions. The fresh young quarterback, transfers waiting to step up at every position, new coaches, and maybe most importantly, a brand-new defensive system.
The defense can hardly wait to get loud. Linebacker Edwin Spillman and Penn State transfer defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam explained that fall camp focused on pass coverage, run defense, generating takeaways, and not giving up first downs. It is detail-oriented, yet the truth about what makes a good football player remains the same.
‘I’ve really been focused on my violence this camp,” said Gilliam. “I’m really looking to put that on tape.”
The players are focused. Communicating with each other and excited for the challenges ahead. It’s not just the fans ready for the season; the program’s infected as well.
“Being in Neyland is very special,” said Spillman. “We’re all excited for this new season and this opportunity of Furman to go out there and show it to the world.”
There are many young players on the Vols’ defense this year, but former new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles says he is extremely impressed with the culture of learning and growth throughout spring and fall camp.
“There is a good culture here of learning,” Knowles said. “I’ve found players to quickly pick things up.”
Gilliam is also excited about the defensive secondary. He says that seeing the team’s work pay off on film has been extremely exciting to watch and something for fans to look for in the games ahead.
“When we’re in our unit meeting and Coach Knowles is showing all the great things our secondary is doing, it’s really good to look back,” said Gilliam.
Top to bottom, the defensive side of the ball is ready for the season. They are ready to create destruction on defense and prove themselves.
The unit will get its moment soon, as Tennessee opens its 150th season on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3:30 p.m. ET inside Neyland Stadium.
I’ve never been there with a packed stadium like that,” said Gilliam. “[I’m] looking forward to the Neyland experience.”