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Tennessee football: Five questions for Josh Heupel at 2022 SEC Media Days

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel on the field before the game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel on the field before the game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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On the final day of SEC Media Days, Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel will finally take the podium. The three players who will also speak to reports from the Vols are Hendon Hooker, Cedric Tillman and Trevon Flowers. Amidst a changing landscape in the sport, there are plenty of questions that would be relevant for Heupel.

One of those is not his alma mater the Oklahoma Sooners joining the SEC, as that happened during last year’s media days, so it’s been hashed and rehashed enough. However, other national changes are relevant to UT, and they are worth bringing up.

Beyond national questions, though, there are plenty of questions about the Vols as a team to bring up. Heupel is coming off a 7-6 campaign his first year and has cautious optimism surrounding Tennessee football entering 2022. Here’s how he should address that. These are the biggest questions for the Vols at SEC Media Days.

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /

5. How has the staff developed, particularly with a new wide receivers coach?

Staff continuity is always helpful, and the Vols had more than most this past year. Their only change was losing Kodi Burns as their wide receivers coach. Heupel promoted from within for that position, naming a young up-and-comer in Kelsey Pope to the role. Pope has a reputation working with wideouts and helped develop Cedric Tillman specifically.

Taking that into account, with spring practice now under their belt and a collection of new receivers in the program, it’s worth asking how the unit has meshed with the rest of the staff. Sure, Heupel will give typical answers no matter what, but it’s still worthy of knowing.

Beyond just Pope, though, the question of Tennessee football returning so many staff members can be thrown in there. How has the unit developed as a whole, and what has the benefit been of them being together for two straight years, some many more? This is more in the positive realm of questions, but they could provide some value.

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