Josh Heupel says one characteristic of the Tennessee Vols in 2024 is so obvious that 'Ray Charles can see it'

Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel thinks one characteristic of his team in 2024 is so obvious that even Ray Charles (RIP to an absolute legend) could see it.

Heupel, of course, is talking about Tennessee's depth entering the 2024 season.

After being hamstrung by scholarship reductions and a mass exodus of players in early 2021 (due to the fallout of the Jeremy Pruitt recruiting scandal that occurred before Heupel's arrival in Knoxville), the Vols finally have some solid roster depth under Heupel.

"Anybody that walks into our facility, walks by our players -- I don't care if that's in the weight room, you get to training camp coming up here in a couple of weeks, it's tangible, it's visible, Ray Charles can see it ," said Heupel during an interview with 104.5 The Zone's 3HL at SEC Media Days. "It's different. It's great competition. Depth is important...the length, athleticism, playmakers, we're really excited."

"You're never a finished product," continued Heupel. "It's every day that you're competing to be what you're capable of. But I absolutely love being in the building with the guys, love seeing all of them. We get to go about competing as hard as we can every day. And in everything that we're doing, there's no issues, no distractions. It's a fun place to be."

Heupel wasn't shy about praising the Vols' depth at SEC Media Days in Dallas, making similar comments during an appearance on WNML's Josh and Swain .

"We've got, without a doubt, the best, the deepest roster that we've had," said Heupel. "We've had to navigate some really unique circumstances -- we've never given ourselves an out. But we're at the best point that we've been and it's not even close."

Depth has been one of the biggest things that's been holding Tennessee back from making a playoff run.

It's not a sexy word, but depth is what wins tough games in the fourth quarter -- especially in the SEC. And based on Heupel's tone this past week in Dallas, it sounds like the Vols should have the depth to compete for a national championship this fall.

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