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Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'That's been the entire focus of the offseason' - Tennessee Vols OC Joey Halzle drops the most important quote of the summer
'That's been the entire focus of the offseason' - Tennessee Vols OC Joey Halzle drops the most important quote of the summer originally appeared on A to Z Sports. There's been plenty of drama surrounding the Tennessee Vols this offseason -- from quarterback Nico Iamaleava's transfer to UCLA to defensive back Boo Carter's status with the team, it's been an eventful summer on Rocky Top. Ultimately, though, what really matters for Tennessee isn't what happens off the field, it's what happens on the field. In 2025, the Vols' offense will be looking to return to the same production level that fans saw in 2021 and 2022. (Tennessee had the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, the Vols had the No. 37 and No. 13 scoring offense, respectively.) Tennessee's offense hasn't been as prolific over the last two seasons for a couple of reasons. Specifically, opposing defenses have a better idea of how to defend it, and quarterback/wide receiver play has been inconsistent. Vols offensive coordinator Joey Halzle met with reporters on Tuesday, ahead of the start of fall camp, and he admitted that finding a way to make Tennessee's passing offense more explosive has been the "entire focus" of the offseason. "That's been the entire focus of the offseason, is when people are playing really soft [coverages] and dropping eight in coverage, how do we keep being explosive in the passing game," said Halzle. "And that's why, once again, we ran the ball the way we did last year. But it's not going to be that we just say that's par for the course now. The entire focus of this offseason has been how do we get our playmakers the ball in space with the ball in their hand where they can run and do what we've recruited them here to do. "I feel like we've made some changes. We've done some things differently, but we're never going to lose sight of who we are, which is to be extremely aggressive with how we call it, and to push the tempo, to make people play in space. But what are the one or two different little things we can do that help free people up. And when people are playing really soft and saying, "Ok, you're not going over the top today', what are we doing to do to attack that and not let them set the directive of the game." Tennessee hasn't had a wide receiver go over 1,000 yards since Jalin Hyatt in 2022. The offense simply has been as fast or as explosive these last two seasons. Halzle's comments show that Tennessee's staff is fully aware that the offense hasn't been up to the standard over the last two seasons. And they've spent all offseason figuring out their next moves to counter how defenses have been playing UT's offense in recent years. We'll see how that translates on Saturdays. At the very least, Vols fans should be encouraged that Tennessee's offense is looking to evolve and become more explosive, rather than settling for the status quo of the past two story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Tennessee Vols have their eye on one of the top 2027 quarterback recruits in the nation
The Tennessee Vols have their eye on one of the top 2027 quarterback recruits in the nation originally appeared on A to Z Sports. The Tennessee Vols are in good shape at quarterback for the next couple of years -- especially with true freshman George MacIntyre on the roster and 2026 five-star Faizon Brandon solidly committed to UT. Quarterback recruiting, however, never stops. So it's not a surprise that Tennessee is currently pursuing some talented 2027 quarterbacks. One of those quarterbacks is Israel Abrams, a four-star recruit from Arlington Heights, IL. Abrams, 6-foot-4/187 lbs, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 5 quarterback in the nation and the No. 59 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class. On3's Steve Wiltfong noted this week that Iowa State is a team to watch for Abrams while adding that "Tennessee is an intriguing one in his process". Abrams is scheduled to visit Tennessee on September 13 for the Volunteers' game against the Georgia Bulldogs. He camped with the Vols earlier this summer. 'Obviously they have an exceptional history of quarterbacks,' said Abrams on On3 recently of his interest in Tennessee. 'It's definitely a quarterback school. I like the quarterback coach (Joey Halzle). I like how he's very fundamental and I like how he talks not so much about if I made a good throw. He's focused on how I made it, how the ball got there, if my reads are correct.' Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Purdue is also in the mix for Abrams, though it's still early in the story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Creating more explosive plays 'has been entire focus' in offseason for Tennessee's offense
Tennessee will open fall training camp on Wednesday. The Vols will kick off their 2025 football season Aug. 30 versus Syracuse. The Aflac Kickoff between the Vols and Orange is slated for noon EDT at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia (ABC). On Tuesday ahead of kicking off fall training camp, Tennessee offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle discussed the Vols' offense creating more explosive plays this season. "That has been the entire focus of the offseason, is when people are playing really, really soft and dropping eight in coverage, how do we keep being explosive in the passing game," Halzle said. "Once again, that is why we ran the ball the way that we did last year. It is not going to be that, where we're going to just say that is par for the course now. "The entire focus of this offseason is how do we get our playmakers in space with the ball in their hand, where they can run and do what we have recruited them here to do. I feel like we have made some changes and done some things differently, but we are never going to lose sight of who we are, which is to be extremely aggressive with how we call it, to push the tempo, to make people play in space, but what are the one or two different things that we can do that help free people up? When people are playing really, really soft and saying 'Alright, you are not going over the top today,' what are we going to do to attack that and not let them set the directive of the game?" More: Joey Halzle details highest priority for Tennessee's offense during offseason Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Joey Halzle discusses Tennessee's emphasis on explosive plays in 2025
USA Today
30-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Creating more explosive plays 'has been entire focus' in offseason for Tennessee's offense
Tennessee will open fall training camp on Wednesday. The Vols will kick off their 2025 football season Aug. 30 versus Syracuse. The Aflac Kickoff between the Vols and Orange is slated for noon EDT at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia (ABC). On Tuesday ahead of kicking off fall training camp, Tennessee offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle discussed the Vols' offense creating more explosive plays this season. "That has been the entire focus of the offseason, is when people are playing really, really soft and dropping eight in coverage, how do we keep being explosive in the passing game," Halzle said. "Once again, that is why we ran the ball the way that we did last year. It is not going to be that, where we're going to just say that is par for the course now. "The entire focus of this offseason is how do we get our playmakers in space with the ball in their hand, where they can run and do what we have recruited them here to do. I feel like we have made some changes and done some things differently, but we are never going to lose sight of who we are, which is to be extremely aggressive with how we call it, to push the tempo, to make people play in space, but what are the one or two different things that we can do that help free people up? When people are playing really, really soft and saying 'Alright, you are not going over the top today,' what are we going to do to attack that and not let them set the directive of the game?" More: Joey Halzle details highest priority for Tennessee's offense during offseason Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2026 three-star OL Edward Baker breaks down commitment to Tennessee
Class of 2026 three-star offensive tackle Edward Baker was pursued by many schools throughout his recruitment, but he has now made his commitment decision. On Friday, Baker announced his pledge to Tennessee. Baker took his official visit to Knoxville from June 6 through June 8. He also took official visits to his other four finalists: Virginia (April 25 through April 27), Arkansas (May 30 through June 1), North Carolina State (June 13 through June 15) and Mississippi (June 20 through June 22). Advertisement Ultimately, the Saint Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland) standout chose to play for head coach Josh Heupel, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee and the rest of the Volunteers' staff. "Tennessee is somewhere I know I can get development and get the exposure to play against the best of the best," Baker told about his commitment to the Vols. Baker has been building strong connections with Heupel, Elarbee and the other Tennessee coaches for more than a year. Those relationships played a large role in his decision to commit to the Volunteers. Advertisement "My relationship (with the Tennessee coaches) is great," Baker said. "We've been talking since the opening (communication) period for the 2026 class (in June of 2024)." During his official visit to UT earlier this month, Baker was able to connect with the staff, eat good food and get out of his comfort zone to explore new excursions. "We went tube riding on the boat — I was a little scared because I can't swim, but the life jacket saved me," Baker said with a laugh. "Smokey's (Sports Grill) is the best food spot." In addition to the schools already mentioned, Baker received scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Florida, Maryland, Miami (FL.), Pittsburgh, Syracuse, UCF, Virginia Tech and others. Advertisement While the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Baker is listed as a tackle and can certainly play outside, he also has the flexibility to play in the interior as well. "(I can play) a little of both (outside and inside) — I'm a versatile offensive lineman that can do it all," Baker said about his playing style. With Baker's commitment, Tennessee's 2026 class grows to 11 total pledges as of press time. The Volunteers rank 35th nationally. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TENNESSEE FANS AT
