Upon further (spring) review

One of the biggest pieces to replace from Tennessee’s 2022 record setting offense is the unheralded play of tight end Princeton Fant.

The mid-state native was able to stay healthy all year and produced to the point that he’s in an NFL camp with the Dallas Cowboys.

Fant finished the 2022 season with five touchdowns on six rushing attempts. He had 22 catches for 241 yards and three more touchdowns. His eight total touchdowns was good for 4th on the team and he had his best year blocking.

In two seasons of watching Josh Heupel’s offense, it’s clear how important the tight end position is and after his play a year ago the loss of Fant is significant.

Tight end depth chartJacob Warren, r-Sr., 6-6, 252McCallan Castles, r-Sr., 6-5, 233Ethan Davis, Fr., 6-5, 240Hunter Salmon, r-Sr., 6-5, 248

Tennessee is returning a veteran in Jacob Warren. Warren has grown in his physicality throughout his career and had a solid 2022 season complimenting Fant. Warren had 12 catches for 163 yards last fall. His biggest challenge is continue to play more and more physical and to bring along a tight end room that features two newcomers and a new coach in Alec Abeln.

“I think he has just got to become more comfortable being vocal,” Abeln said. “He is such a pro just the way he approaches every day, but now understanding you have earned the respect of the guys in the room, continue to push leadership and continue to be vocal with it. You do not always have to be a rah-rah guy, but when you see something going wrong, not being afraid to step up and fix it. As far as on the field, I think, one, just reducing pad-level in general.

Joining Warren in the room is transfer McCallan Castles from UC-Davis. Castles was extremely productive a year ago and wanted to hone his skills at the highest level of college football to enhance his opportunities in the NFL, so when he entered the portal and Tennessee called. Castles jumped on the opportunity immediately. There was clearly an adjustment period for him in spring practice with the speed of the game at this level and the tempo of the offense. Castles consistently improved throughout the 15 workouts and this off-season is important for him to continue that adjustment.

“He has been awesome,” Abeln said. “He is a smart kid and cares at a really high level. He’s been doing everything we have asked him to do. Playing in this offense is unique — there is a little bit of a learning curve, and I think for our guys, when it clicks, it really does click. For him, I think he wants it to be perfect right now; it is not going to be. Being able to make a mistake, put it aside, play the next one, that is something that he has got to continue to grow at. But he is a really smart kid and works his butt off, so he has been really good.”

Tennessee’s biggest surprise of the spring at the tight end position and arguably with the entire offense was the play of freshman Ethan Davis. Davis missed his senior year of high school due to shoulder surgery. So no one knew how physical he would be. The Georgia native has added weight and was impressive throughout the spring, exceeding the expectations of many around the program.

“Just starting off athletically, he’s really unique,” Abeln offered. “He’s got a chance to be a really special player. Coming off a shoulder (injury) and not having spent a lot of time in the box in high school. I’m really impressed with where he’s at right now.”

Davis suffered a setback to close out spring practice as he injured his collarbone in the spring game. He should be back full speed by mid to late June. If he can get healthy and stay healthy, Davis looks like he can help sooner rather than later.

Hunter Salmon is a veteran walk on for the Vols, who’s steady and has improved as a blocker. Salmon had two catches for 13 yards last season. His role in 2023 isn’t going to be about catching the ball as much as it is going to be about his physicality in the run game and some needed depth at the position.

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