Tennessee football is four practices into its spring slate. After Saturday’s session, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee met with the media.
He was asked about returning pieces, newcomers, David Sanders Jr.’s progression and more.
Here’s what he said.
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On spring practice with a lot of returners
“You get to get into a little bit more of some of the details earlier, than we did last year. Last year, it was trying to make sure everybody knew where to go and getting as much technique, and then obviously the effort. I feel like we’re able to be a little bit more advanced faster because of those guys. It’s kinda helped accelerate some of the young guys, too, because they can pick up on it faster as they see it happen. Like they know what it should look like.”
On LSU transfer tackle Ory Williams
“Super talented guy. Got great foot speed, length, really intelligent, understands what we’re trying to do schematically. I’m probably on his butt about some physicality of the run game a little bit. I think he did that today, kinda rose to that challenge. I’m excited. He’s a fun guy to be around. He just has a great positive attitude, fun in the meeting room with guys. He’s come in and, like, hasn’t skipped a beat. I’m looking forward to continuing to see where we can push him, where we can get him to, and how he helps.”
On if Williams is playing right tackle
“Right this second.”
On Jesse Perry’s versatility at guard and tackle
“He’s just such a technician, such a student of the game. He just sees the looks that happen. For a young guy, like a general on the field. He provides a great check and balance for Sam with calls and IDs. It doesn’t matter if he’s at guard or tackle, he just sees it, and he knows how to react.
“Tackle, I thought he did a phenomenal job. He’s probably at the next level maybe he’s tackle, potentially going inside. I think it’s good for him to be able to do both and have that position flexibility, where and when that time comes, putting him wherever you wanna put him. But as far as for us, we’re still at that point where he could be inside, he could be outside to really put the best five on the field for us.”
On splitting reps for Perry and Donovan Haslam
“Jesse is getting some tackle reps right now. Just like spring being the way the reps have fallen, and he hasn’t got as many as he needed to. I know today he got some inside and some in team set. We’ll continue to do that just so he’s a shot at both. Donovan, early on, was playing both sides for us, kinda tried to let him settle in a little bit these first few days just at right. For sure, though, he can have position flexibility to play left and right as we go, too. He understands that.”
On David Sanders Jr. transitioning from right tackle to left tackle
“The technique, the adjustment to left tackle, was super easy. Just from what you said, he’s done so much of it. I don’t think that was an issue at all. I think he feels way more confident. I was joking with him at lunch the other day. Just like, ‘Man, do you feel like an old guy now?’ He goes, ‘Yeah, ’cause I run out on the field and call a play and I know exactly what to do.” So I think that’s helped him in spring, just having the full concept. And now it’s cleaning up technique in every facet of it.
“He’s such a gifted pass protector, but there are still some things he can do there. And now that it’s just slowed down for him, and that’s what naturally happens when you’re a second-year player. Now he’s kind of an older guy, continuing to push the leadership piece of it, too, and people gravitate to him naturally because of who he is. So just technique and leadership.”
On Sanders getting stronger
“DO (Derek Owings) has done an unreal job with those guys. Like insane. He was for a true freshman, very powerful. Now he’s at a different level. Body weight is even better. You see it at practice, one-on-ones. He’s just so much more dominant. Can anchor a lot easier, create even more movement in the run game, and it’s fun to watch. Just gotta keep it rolling, man.”
On freshmen Kamari Blair, Gabriel Osenda and Ed Baker
“I’ve been really, really happy with all three of our young guys. For three true freshmen taking as many reps as they have typically, you put in three freshmen, and it’s kinda like watch out. They’ve executed. I think, again, that goes back to there’s older guys they see go do it, so the learning process happens a little faster.
“As far as Gabe and Kamari specifically, man, they, they are dialied in. They take great notes. They work at it every day. They have a great attitude. They want to get better at the things that you ask. I’ve been really, really pleased with both of them. And they make a good young bunch.”
On where he’s at behind Sam Pendleton at center
“Nic (Moore), super talented. He’s done a great job. So much more consistent. Again, everything’s just slowed down for him. He’s powerful. In the run game, man, he can create movement. He can anchor. I’m just like he’s done a great job. He’s had to take a few more reps this spring. He’s done a good job with it.
“(Antoni Ogumoro), same thing man. He’s taking steps. Everything has slowed down. There’s not assisgment, it’s let’s go focus on technique and coaching the young guys. They’ve done a good job trying to help.”
On what Derek Owings brought to the room
“I think the biggest thing is I felt like at the start of last year, you always wanna get better, but we were pretty solid. And I felt like us pushing through end of the year, the gas let out a little bit. DO is hammering those dudes, and today is a little bit warmer, a little bit more reps. We got a little bit tired, but man, they are building that gas tank, building that effort, that strength, kinda building that gas tank to where ultimately we’ll be able to go finish. I think that’s the biggest thing I wanna see out of the off-season. And then just the overall strength, play a little bit heavier, a little bit stronger, create a little bit more movement in the run game. So those would be the biggest two areas.”
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