KNOXVILLE – The University of Tennessee football’s roster continues to grow in size, speed and athleticism since head coach Josh Heupel took over the program in 2021.
That was on full display Wednesday morning, as the Volunteers began the fourth preseason of the Heupel era with a two-hour practice in helmets and shorts inside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center.
Wednesday’s first camp practice was held indoors due to heavy storms that saturated the outdoor fields overnight. Much of the 15-period workout featured a walk through, 1-on-1s and individual drills.
Nine members of the #RockyTop24 signing class saw their first action, including highly-touted five-star defensive lineman Jordan Ross of Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Ross is one of many explosive edge rushers who make up the roster recruited by Heupel’s staff.
“In this league, but in general in football, if you want to be good, you have to be good up front,” Heupel said. “Guys that can rush the passer and can affect the game on the first level are extremely important. The depth that we’ve been able to build with the athletic traits that we’re looking for, this is the deepest we’ve been at that position. We have great length, athleticism and ability to bend the corner.”
Preseason first-team All-American James Pearce Jr. leads the way at the position, but he is joined by a strong supporting cast that includes junior Joshua Josephs, junior Tyre West, redshirt freshman Tyree Weathersby, sophomore Caleb Herring and redshirt senior Dominic Bailey.
Josephs enters his third year on the field after finishing the 2023 season strong. The Kennesaw, Georgia, native finished with 20 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and three quarterback hurries.
“He’s done a great job in the weight room,” Heupel said of Josephs. “Nutrition has done a great job with him, and that’s him taking the lead on those things. You look at his frame now compared to where he was a year ago, dramatically different. His confidence and understanding of what we’re doing, allowing his athletic traits to take over (and) continued fundamental development, really excited about the offseason that he’s had.”