KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With 30 days remaining until kickoff, a deep and talented tight end room took the stage on day two of fall camp.
Third-year tight ends coach Alec Abeln spoke with the media following Thursday’s practice at Haslam Field, discussing the depth, chemistry, and versatility of his unit after two days of preseason camp.
“I think we put a lot on them through spring and through summer. They’ve done a good job investing and making sure, one, just alignment assignment and understanding what they’re being asked to do is really good. Obviously, through two days – we’ll find out more as this camp gets going – but like the way that they’ve prepared and what they’ve done mentally to put themselves in position for a really good camp.”
With Miles Kitselman back for his second season on Rocky Top and sixth year overall, Abeln discussed the impact of his leadership on the rest of the tight end group.
“I think his actions follow his words. I think he’s authentic with it. It’s not ‘rah rah’. It’s not coming from a place of ‘look at me’. It’s all about, ‘how can we get better as a team?’ I think part of it helps when you play the way that he did in the fall. Guys look up to that and say, ‘man, I want to be a good player. Here’s a good player doing things the way that we’re asking him to do it, doing it with a great attitude and enthusiasm every day.’ It’s hard not to want to follow a guy that does those things.”
Full comments from Abeln’s Thursday press conference can be viewed below.
Tight End Coach Alec Abeln Media Availability (7.31.25)
Opening statement…
“Good first day, a bunch of individual and some group work focus. The key to this whole thing is not making the same mistake twice and continuing to get better.”
On Miles Kitselman having a new attitude and energy heading into sixth year…
“I wouldn’t necessarily say new. He’s always approached it that way. I think it’s a credit to him. We understand that nothing happens by accident. Things fall in place in ways you might not necessarily expect, but he’s been grateful for every opportunity since the day that he got here, so I wouldn’t say that’s changed a whole lot, but it’s certainly nice to have him in the room.”
On what he has seen out of the top four guys thus far…
“I think we put a lot on them through spring and through summer. They’ve done a good job investing and making sure, one, just alignment assignment and understanding what they’re being asked to do is really good. Obviously, through two days – we’ll find out more as this camp gets going – but like the way that they’ve prepared and what they’ve done mentally to put themselves in position for a really good camp.”
On if there was a moment Ethan Davis began to understand the complexity of the tight end position…
“Yeah, 100 percent. There were flashes of it a lot last year and just getting it to be on a consistent basis where he has all the ability in the world and he knows it. It’s one of those things, especially in the core, when you feel what it’s supposed to feel like and get used to feeling that, I think that helps guys be more consistent with it where a lot of times guys are putting in a bunch of work and really straining to get right with the technique, and they may not even realize it’s wrong until once they feel it right, then it kind of clicks for them. I think the more you can feel it right, the more it becomes second nature.”
On Miles Kitselman’s rehab and how to manage him in camp…
“Like you would expect Miles to, he’s pissed at me half the time because he wants to do more. He’s going to push that as hard as he can. He’s ahead of schedule doing a great job with it but just like you’d expect him to do it.”
On Miles Kitselman stepping up more vocally and his leadership difference from last season…
“Yeah, I think so. I mean, it’s tough when you come in as a transfer because the first job you have to do is earn the trust and respect of your teammates. I think part of him is feeling more comfortable in just earning their trust. I think he clearly established that he’s a guy we can count on during the fall and understands there’s space for leadership this year. This team has taken it to heart.”
On the rest of the tight end room relying on Kitselman and believing in his leadership capability…
“I think his actions follow his words. I think he’s authentic with it. It’s not ‘rah rah’. It’s not coming from a place of ‘look at me’. It’s all about, ‘how can we get better as a team?’ I think part of it helps when you play the way that he did in the fall. Guys look up to that and say, ‘man, I want to be a good player. Here’s a good player doing things the way that we’re asking him to do it, doing it with a great attitude and enthusiasm every day.’ It’s hard not to want to follow a guy that does those things.”
On the transition for DaSaahn Brame from spring to now…
“I think, you know, it’s really tough coming in because you want to go prove it and you want to go compete. He’s competitive as hell and being held back a lot of the spring, I think that’s really tough mentally. Especially, your transition to college, you’ve got a lot of other things going on. The one thing you really love to do and want to do, you can’t do it the way that you want to. I think when he got kind of reintroduced towards the back half of spring ball, there were a couple of days where it’s, ‘oh man, I’m behind,’ and a little bit of that sits in. I think looking back, man, what a blessing. The summer he has had as far as how detailed he’s been and the work he’s put in. All the stuff to get caught up, where he doesn’t feel that way, and fall camp has been really good for him. I think as pads come on, that will be a transition for everybody, but I’m excited about where he is and just what he’s going to bring to the table.”
On what Jack Van Dorselaer has done to impress him…
“I don’t know if surprise would be the right word, but I think one, it’s credit to the program down in Southlake Carroll and the way that they prepare guys. Just his level of understanding of what college football looks like mentally and physically. He came out during mat drills and was a freaking dog. I mean tug of war champ down the line. I don’t know if he lost a tug of war all freaking pre-spring. Another guy that just shows up to work every day, knows his job, plays really hard and wants to be great. Really excited about Jack.”
On how Jack Van Dorselaer is in space…
“He’s a lot like Kits [Miles Kitselman], where I don’t know if he gets enough credit in the route, and I think last year, obviously, his senior year of high school he played mainly defensive end. You’ll see flashes on his tape as a junior and sophomore, he’s not nothing with the ball in his hands, and he understands, I think in the route, so much of winning in the route is understanding what you’re getting, what the picture is, what the leverage is and how much space I have. I think he’s going to be a guy that can absolutely get open for us and do some things in space.”
On what his focus is on to get freshman ready for the season and if it is hard to prepare them…
“You certainly ask a lot of these guys, and they’ve got to know it all, they’ve got to be able to do it all (with) just the way that we play. I think everybody comes in at a different spot and it’s just kind of figuring out where guys are at, what they need and how they learn best. Some guys are true, get out signal to them and walk through all the time. Other guys would rather watch ball and truly grind on watching the tape. Really just figuring out one, where a guy is when he comes in the building, and two, what’s the best way for him to learn and best way for him to get caught up.”
On what strides Ethan Davis has made physically…
“I mean big jumps, and like I said earlier, it’s just being consistent with it. He’s absolutely capable of being a dominant player in the core. Knowing what to do for sure was step one. I think he’s gotten to a point now where, man, really pretty assignment sound. Now it’s about getting banked reps of what it’s supposed to feel like. And then, obviously, effort is the paint that covers up bad carpentry and if it isn’t perfect, if it’s not exactly right, just straining (and) finishing with everything he’s got.”
