WATCH: Tennessee practices in shells for first time during fall camp

Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle made a bee line for defensive lineman Omari Thomas on Saturday morning during stretch. The two shared a well choreographed handshake and went their separate ways to get work in. Having an older presence like Thomas is big for a team that has several different veteran leaders.

“Omari, and a lot of our veteran guys, there’s a little over a handful of guys that are sixth-year guys,” Josh Heupel said. They’ve seen this program change a bunch. “They’ve been a huge part of the change here inside of this building in who we are and how we operate. They’re a big part of the recruiting process. At the end of the day, when recruits come on campus, your players are the biggest touch point and sales point for what it’s like to be a Vol. They’ve been a huge part of that as well. That group – Omari is one of the guys that you named – the journey that this program has been on, how we’ve navigated the success that we’ve had, there’s more out there, we understand that (and) we’re working towards that every day, but those guys have been a huge part of changing the trajectory of Tennessee football.”

And with aging veterans you also have a core group of young players with some arriving this summer. That group has hit the ground running as they look to find their footing early in fall camp.

“You have to learn it, earn it and go take it. It’s a player’s responsibility to prove that he’s going to play at a championship level play in and play out and day in and day out. With young guys, they have to have an opportunity to grow, make mistakes. Don’t make the same mistake twice. It’s important that they learn from the guys that are in their room as well. You have to accelerate their curve. They’re going to have to handle the installs that we have to go through with our vets as well. Based on how they’re able to take in that information and be able to go execute it, it kind of tells you what their role will be in the early parts of the season. Every player inside our program, including our young guys, you have to give them an opportunity to continue to grow from day-to-day. That’s the journey that we’re all on together.”

Tennessee returns to practice on Sunday morning.

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