KNOXVILLE – Tennessee running backs coach Robert Gillespie has been working with his three freshmen for less than a month – at least in person.
Gillespie said this week that he spent time teaching Ty Chandler, Tim Jordan and Trey Coleman basics of what to expect at Tennessee through video chats in the spring as they concluded their senior years of high school.
The trio received more of Gillespie’s principles in the summer, taught to them by junior running back John Kelly.
So even though Gillespie has had his hands on the young players only since preseason practice began at the end of July, he already has developed a bold assessment of the collective abilities of the group headlined by Chandler.
“He along with the other two backs we brought in as true freshmen are probably the smartest freshmen I’ve ever been around,” Gillespie said.