Tennessee LB Keenan Pili's first comments at SEC Media Days should get Vols fans fired up for a special season in 2024

Tennessee Vols redshirt senior linebacker Keenan Pili got things started for UT at SEC Media Days on Tuesday via a live interview on "SEC This Morning".

And Pili made some subtle comments that should get Tennessee fans fired up for a potentially special season in 2024.

Pili was asked about being overlooked by the national media this offseason and the veteran linebacker quickly let it be known that he prefers to fly under the radar.

Instead of receiving preseason praise, Pili made it clear that he wants to earn praise via what Tennessee does on the field.

"I hope people aren't talking about us," said Pili. "I hope there's no expectations, no hype around us and that we can earn [it] on Saturdays."

Pili was then asked what he specifically likes about this year's Vols team.

"We're different, man," said Pili. "The way we work in the offseason -- we've got a lot of competitive dudes in the locker room. Dudes who are willing to sacrifice for their brothers. I feel like that's the big difference this year is that camaraderie we have, willing to sacrifice for one common goal."

That elite competitiveness is what separates good teams from great teams. And it's no surprise that Tennessee is loaded with highly competitive players -- those are the types of players that Vols head coach Josh Heupel targets in recruiting/the transfer portal.

It's obvious that this Tennessee team isn't worried about the outside noise. They aren't worried about the national media's opinion of them. All they care about is winning for each other. And that's one of the main reasons why it feels like Tennessee fans need to be prepared for a special season this fall.

The Vols may not be the trendy pick to win the natty (or even to make the playoff), but there's no doubt that this team has the ingredients to bring a championship back to Knoxville.

Related: LSU HC Brian Kelly gets real about losing former 5-star OL Lance Heard to Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols