'I feel like they didn't look like young guys out there, what people would expect,' Pili said. Pili missed the final 11 games of the regular season due to injury, but had a front row seat as the younger LBs filled out the rotation throughout the 2023 campaign. It's something I'm comfortable with and excited about.' What would it be like coming back? What would it be like if you left? How would all this work out? I think those conversations that I had with the coaches and certain people really helped me in the long run to make a well-informed decision. 'A lot of the thoughts I had were pros and cons. 'These coaches, they have the player's best interest,' Pili said. The Las Vegas native detailed his decision in comments to media on Monday afternoon. 8 that he will return for a seventh collegiate season as his NCAA extension of eligibility waiver was granted. The sky is the limit.'Īdding to the young mix of linebackers is Keenan Pili, who announced Dec. ' Jeremiah Telander, myself, Kalib Perry, Arion Carter coming back, we feel like we have a bunch of experience and a bunch of young guys, so it just sets the standard for next year.

'We feel like we have a pretty young group as of right now, but a young group that has a bunch of experience,' Herring said.

Sophomore Elijah Herring, UT's leading tackler during the 2023 regular season, spoke to the room's depth and experience accumulated over the past four months. Opportunities are bountiful for Tennessee's linebacker room during the 15 allotted bowl practices, as underclassmen are taking valuable live reps to prepare for the bowl game and the year ahead. 'This week, we have a normal slate of practices, so we're just sort of getting back into our rhythm.' 'All the stuff that's outside the field has blown over, and now it's kind of just locking into who we are, just start practicing and getting that competitive edge going again,' Castles said. 1 tilt versus the 2023 Big Ten West Champions. Topics of discussion included the temperature of the locker room during bowl prep and the seizable opportunities available for younger players ahead of the Jan. 21 Tennessee football continues preparing for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Iowa, the Vols are ramping up the competitive edge and getting re-accustomed to a regular practice schedule ahead of the trip to Orlando.Īfter Monday's weight lifting session and position meetings, redshirt senior tight end McCallan Castles met with members of the media.

Little mix we are who we are