College football experts around the country are expecting a big season from the Volunteers this year, and a big part of that is LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin leading UT’s defense.
The All-SEC linebacker has wron a green jersey in camp, which signifies limited contact, after having shoulder surgery in the spring. While he doesn’t necessarily seem worried about his shoulder, Reeves-Maybin told reporters Monday that he really doesn’t know how it will respond to in-game contact until he plays in an actual game.
“I still don’t know. I mean, you can’t simulate being in a game,” Reeves-Maybin said, per 247Sports’ Wes Rucker. “Once you go in a game … I mean, I ain’t hit nobody full speed yet. It’s just gonna be something I have to put faith in. I trust our training room and our strength staff and stuff like that.
“I’ve progressed well, and I haven’t had any setbacks yet, so when it’s time to go full speed, I can’t hold back.”
Despite the uncertainty, he made it clear that he’s not concerned about it heading into Tennessee’s Sept. 1 game against Appalachian State.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m not really concerned about it,” Reeves-Maybin said. “It’s just, you know, like I said, you don’t know. But I’m not gonna baby it when it’s time to go. I’m gonna just test it.”
One thing is clear, the Vols’ top tackler can’t wait to find out how his body will respond to being back at full speed.
“I’m ready to play,” Reeves-Maybin said.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
