Sophomore linebacker Arion Carter understood the opportunity in front of him.
The University of Tennessee linebackers had the chance to learn from experience when Al Wilson, one of the greatest linebackers in program history, made an appearance at fall camp last week as the Vols prepared for the upcoming season.
“I could not wait to talk to him. He actually came up to us, and I was kind of star-struck,” says Carter, who played at Smyrna High School. “I see this guy during the ’98 season who is a dog, countless and fearless. He is just somebody you want to emulate and be better than. You aspire to be better than or be just at that standard that he brought to Tennessee.
“It was just great being able to pick his brain and really just be around greatness like that.”
The linebacking corps isn’t just reaching into the past for motivation; it’s getting to see what modern-day collegiate success looks like, as well.
The group is working under the direction of a new coach, William Inge, who arrived in Knoxville after serving as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Washington during the Huskies’ College Football Playoff run last season.
“I had a chance to coach against him at some other different places and I loved the way his linebackers worked, so he has not disappointed in terms of how he teaches. The way the kids have gravitated to him is kind of what I expected,” UT defensive coordinator Tim Banks says. “I think the biggest thing that I really enjoyed is the way he mentors the kids. He is just a really good guy, I think our guys are really taken to him and I am really excited to see what the product looks like this season.”
Inge has been with the Vols through spring practice and has spent the last few months learning how each player ticks and the traits that stand out.
“Probably one of the biggest things is that they love to work. Their element of preparation I would say is beyond their years right now,” Inge says. “To see the things that they do when no one is watching or when you’re not around. They are what you would call your junkies in the building.”
Inge appreciates all the different personalities and styles of the UT linebackers. However, there are specific characteristics he wants to see from players in his system.
“The biggest thing you have to do is you have to be fast,” Inge says. “You have to be fast, you have to be athletic and you have to be big.”
‘Special’ unit expects major impact
Carter and redshirt senior Keenan Pili, a BYU transfer in his seventh season of college football, have been working their way back from season-ending injuries last season. Their performance during fall camp has provided optimism about the impact they can have for the unit during games.
“We’ve been seeing some really good growth from them to where we say the injuries and things like that are kind of in the rearview mirror now,” Inge says. “From a growth standpoint, just seeing them continue to take the next step to being able to be better, to being able to be elite and to be what we call the trendsetters of linebacker play on our team, our organization and in the country.”
Carter says he is eager to showcase his potential after missing the final five games of last season with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
“Minor setback for a major comeback,” Carter says. “I was so grateful for having a great support staff, team and teammates. A great athletic training staff to get me back to where I am now. If not back to where I am, I feel like I am even better than what I was.”
Inge has been impressed by what he’s seen from Carter, who was a consensus four-star recruit and played on both sides of the ball for Smyrna.
“The element that he has, that is something that you can’t coach, is his speed and quickness,” Inge says. “He is elusive when he’s on the football field, almost like a cheetah. It’s great to have a linebacker who can move like that but has the body that he has from a physical nature. He’s someone we are going to be able to really utilize in the days, years and games to come.”
Junior Kalib Perry called the linebacker unit “special” and emphasized the cohesion and chemistry the group has established. He hopes the results are evident on the field once the season starts.
“Everybody puts in so much time and extra work outside of just what is required as a program. It’s awesome to see just how unified we have become,” junior Kalib Perry says. “... Just awesome to see us go out, work and show what we can do. Like all of our abilities, everyone is pushing each other, finding our weaknesses and coaching up each other. It’s not leaving one man out for himself. We are all doing it together trying to see who we can turn around and bring along with us.”