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Tennessee football: Five spring practice 2021 storylines

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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New Tennessee NCAA college football head coach Josh Heupel speaks during an introductory press conference at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Caitie McLekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)Tennessee Heupel Football
New Tennessee NCAA college football head coach Josh Heupel speaks during an introductory press conference at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Caitie McLekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)Tennessee Heupel Football /

1. How does the team adjust to the new coaches and new schemes?

This would obviously be the biggest question. Tennessee football has moved on from Jeremy Pruitt and has a brand new coaching staff entering 2021. Josh Heupel didn’t retain anybody, and that’s the first big change.

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However, beyond the change in personalities that always comes with a new staff, there is a dramatic change in schemes. Heupel brings an up-tempo spread offense back to Rocky Top, one that players who have spent the past two years under Jim Chaney will not be used to at all. The way they adjust is going to be a big question.

On the other side, Tim Banks is returning to the nickel-based 4-3, which doesn’t focus as much on outside linebackers bringing pressure as much as it does covering the whole field and getting pressure off the edge of the defensive line. That’s not going to be similar either.

Also, will Heupel prioritize special teams differently? All of these things are worth paying attention to in spring practice because the quicker the players figure out the new schemes, the quicker they’ll be able to develop. Obviously, without the full roster, Heupel won’t install everything immediately, but seeing what he does install is worth paying attention to.

Next. 10 QBs available for Vols to pursue in 2022. dark

Heupel is the third straight Tennessee football coach to dramatically change the offensive scheme and the base defense upon arriving on Rocky Top. Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt both did the same thing. Will he have more success? This spring won’t provide an answer, but it’s a start.

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