This Saturday, Tennessee football is back inside Neyland Stadium for the final game of the season. Before the matchup with Vanderbilt, tight ends coach Alec Abeln fielded questions from the media.
He talked about the Commodores’ offense, Miles Kitselman’s senior day, the recent play of Ethan Davis and more.
Here’s what he said.
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On the recent play of Ethan Davis
“It’s been really cool to see, I think for him just finally getting the payoff of all that he’s put into it. And understanding circumstances early in the year as far as the injury goes, nothing you can do about it and just being mentally tough, staying emotionally and mentally invested into it, where when you are back you’re ready to step up and make some huge plays. Something that I feel like I’ve known for a long time was in him and there’s certainly way more for him to be who he could really become. But starting to see the payoff of it for him is really cool.”
On how far he has come as being a complete tight end
“Yeah, I mean, he’s ready to play in that. Kind of goes back to being functional versus being dominant. Obviously, had a pass protection sack on Saturday that really just comes down to a day one fundamental. I trust him in all those situations. He’s gotta go continue to execute it. But I think the challenge is like, man, you can play with him and ask him to do anything we’re gonna ask him to do. It’s just about not just being able to do it but being able to be dominant while we’re doing it, I think is the next step.”
On freshman DaSaahn Brame playing slot receiver
“I mean, I think one, it’s the nature of college football with where the rosters are at and just what your depth overall looks like. He’s done a great job stepping into that role. For us, in this offense, man, we run pretty much every route that a slot gets asked to run and I think he’s a guy that’s certainly capable of running the whole route tree. I think for him being in that room more, he’s getting coached probably better by Coach Pope than he is by me, but it certainly plays into his skill set and I think big picture for him, he’s gotta continue to grow on the core, much like what Ethan had to do his first year here. I think he’s still continuing to work towards that and can provide value in that role even right now. But as far as, man, a big, athletic guy that plays really hard. I mean the one catch he had on Saturday, you see him catch just a little bubble and it looks a little different. And I think the more he plays, the more he’s out there, the more confidence he gets with it, the more he’s gonna be able to help. And I think eventually when he doesn’t move back, it’ll be better for us in our room.”
On what Miles Kitselman has meant to him heading into Senior Day
“It’s a blessing. It really is. And certainly changed my life for the better and changed our room for the better. Changed this program for the better. Can’t talk enough about just who he is as a human being. Who he is as a teammate. Will probably be a little emotional on Saturday, knowing it’s his last time in Neyland. But really appreciate the work he’s done and continues to do for this team and I’m excited for the future for him.”
On what stands out about Vanderbilt’s defense
“Play hard. They’re fundamentally really sound scheme-wise, very sound. Really, they run the ball, they play hard, they play physical, like it’s nothing crazy exotic, nothing super-schemey that’s crazy, crazy unique, but do a really good job playing within their system, playing with pad level, playing with hands, playing with technique and effort. It’s really the highlight of what they do and they do it at a really high level.”
