“That’s been a big part of what we’ve talked about, too, is everybody knows what he is as a player, as an athlete,” Halzle said. “On the field, he’s an elite player, but the challenge this year has been, OK, you have that. We know about that. Let’s take the step off the field. You’re the one that’s going to have to be the uniting voice.
“With no Cooper Mays, with no Dylan Sampson, with no Bru McCoy in the building anymore, a guy like him can step in and really take it over and lead it his way. Like he can’t be fake. You can’t be something you’re not, but you do have to be willing to step out, step in front of the team and address guys and clean things up, especially when they’re not right.”
Said redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Merklinger: “He’s done a really good job of being more vocal, even being more vocal to me, helping me out with anything, holding everybody accountable.”
Tennessee is off from spring ball this week for the University’s spring break and will practice again on March 25.
