KNOXVILLE - LaTrell Bumphus has a simple approach to football: Do whatever it takes.
So when Tennessee coaches approached him about moving from offense to defense, it was no sweat. When the position change meant he had to put on weight, no sweat.
It doesn't matter to Bumphus as long as it leads to success down the road.
The 6-foot-3, 273-pound junior made the transition from tight end to defensive end for the Volunteers in the offseason, a move that has been magnified in importance by senior Emmit Gooden's injury and the lack of depth and experience on the defensive line. Simply put, the Vols need players, and if Bumphus - whose collegiate playing experience is primarily at tight end or on special teams - can be developed into a quality defensive lineman, it will be viewed as an added benefit.
"He is a guy that played both ways in high school, so we did this a little in the spring last year," Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said. "I saw some things last spring that we liked. We felt like last year he felt a little better for us on offense. He is a guy that is learning the position, and I see a guy that has some wiggle when it comes to pass rush. ... He is doing a good job, but we probably need him to do some things with different techniques. That is probably not who he is, but he can help us on that side of the ball."
Tennessee's LaTrell Bumphus (88), shown during a home game against UTEP in September 2018, could provide depth on the defensive line this season as a junior. He was used mostly at tight end and on special teams his first two seasons with the Vols.Defensive line coach Tracy Rocker has been impressed with what he's seen so far from his latest project.
"The guy that has probably stood out, that we think has the potential is Bumphus," Rocker said. "Bumphus has really improved. He's improved (against the) run and pass and (is) getting better as a football player."
Rocker also noted the physique changes for Bumphus, who was listed at 258 pounds on the Vols' 2017 roster and at 263 pounds last season.
"He's playing defensive end, and it's been really good to have him there and he seems to enjoy it," Rocker said. "He enjoys practice. He enjoys getting better. So that's been a plus for me. He's embraced it. I love him in the room. He's a great personality, does well in school and he's caught on. He wants to be good, so that's really good."
For Bumphus, the only thing that matters is doing whatever it takes to win. It was a phrase he uttered multiple times to reporters on Wednesday and one that fits in with the team mentality of football. The defensive staff did some work with him rushing the passer as an outside linebacker earlier this week, and if he ends up doing that in some capacity, it's obvious that he'll welcome yet another transition.
For now, though, he has taken to Rocker's instruction and is excited about what could happen.
"I'm hungry for this opportunity, but I'm also excited to get out on the field and help in any way I can to the team," he said. "As a D-line, we have a lot of motivation; we're all trying to get out there and make a name for ourselves.
"Working with Coach Rocker is great. He lets us know when we're wrong and when we're good, and I think you need that in order to take the next step."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/VolsUpdate.