Having followed defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Penn State to Tennessee earlier this year, senior linebacker Amare Campbell quickly became a teacher to his teammates during the spring.
That role hasn’t changed in preseason camp, but the methods have with the Sept. 5 opener against Furman inside Neyland Stadium now less than four weeks away.
“It’s different, because practice is practice,” Campbell said in a news conference following Saturday’s practice. “Now I’m just trying to give them my game experience and what I’ve learned from game reps, whether good or bad. I just show them what I’ve learned and what I’ve corrected.”
The Volunteers held their fourth preseason practice Sunday and will have Monday off.
Campbell, a 6-foot, 230-pound senior from Manassas, Virginia, spent his first two college seasons at North Carolina before playing last year for the Nittany Lions. His one season in Happy Valley was highly productive, as Campbell amassed 103 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
In his collegiate career, which consists of 37 games and 27 starts, Campbell has 193 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.
“I think Amare has done a really good job of helping lead that group,” Vols linebackers coach William Inge said Saturday. “He could be what we call the quiet coach or the silent coach. He can pull the teammate aside and tell them the perspective of someone who’s actually done it on the football field.
“There are some things we can tell them from a technique or an execution standpoint, but Amare can give them the hands-on perspective, and I think that’s really great from a coaching standpoint to have someone like that who’s a veteran in a room like Amare is.”
In addition to Campbell, the Vols also have fourth-year linebackers Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander, third-year linebacker Edwin Spillman, second-year linebacker Jadon Perlotte, and the touted freshman tandem of Brayden Rouse and TJ White.
Campbell was asked Saturday about his advantage of having played under Knowles yet helping others he is competing against this month.
“I’m just trying to get everyone better,” Campbell said. “I know these guys are pushing to come get my spot or whoever’s spot, but that constant competition helps me rise to that next level.”
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At the start of Tennessee’s spring practice, Campbell was joined on the transfer list from Penn State by defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, edge rusher Chaz Coleman and safety Dejuan Lane. Coleman is no longer in the program, but the other three remain and look to thrive under Knowles in a different locale.
“I would say there have been minor changes from a year ago, if that,” Campbell said. “We’re just focused on our techniques and coverage right now.”
Harmon out for year
Sophomore linebacker Jaedon Harmon tore his anterior cruciate ligament during Saturday’s practice and is out for the year.
The 6-foot, 225-pounder from Rome, Georgia, played in all 13 games last season, tallying 19 tackles and half a sack.
Patient and calm
Inge was asked Saturday about Carter and how he is handling his two-game NCAA suspension.
“You would not know that is the scenario for him, because he is very patient and he is very calm,” Inge said. “He understands, ‘I still have to turn the page. We are on to the next play, and whatever comes of it, comes of it.’
“The one thing he knows is that whenever he gets on the football field, he wants to make sure that he can be prepared, ready to go and help our football team win football games.”
Telander was asked how he’s supporting Carter and replied: “He doesn’t need much support. I think this has fired him up even more.”
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.