Tennessee has made waves this offseason by bringing in Derek Owings as the new Director of Football Sports Performance. Owings, who previously worked wonders at Indiana, comes with a reputation for transforming athletes into champions, including Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
With Owings on board, Tennessee is doubling down on strength, conditioning, and nutrition-areas that are crucial for any team aiming to compete at the highest level. His approach is intense and demands commitment, but the results speak for themselves.
Sophomore offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. shared how Owings has already made a significant impact. "The work ethic and accountability are huge with him," Sanders noted.
"He doesn’t tolerate missed workouts or meetings. But he's also a great guy who bonds with us, making us want to give our all."
Running back DeSean Bishop echoed these sentiments, describing Owings' program as a trial by fire. "It's exactly what we need to become the team we want to be," Bishop said, highlighting the transformative potential of Owings' methods.
Sanders also discussed how Owings is helping him manage his playing weight more effectively. "Last year was all about hitting 300 pounds, but now it's about doing it the right way," he explained. "Owings focuses on reducing body fat and building muscle, and I feel great about the progress."
Owings' reputation is already earning him recognition. Chris Low from On3 Sports included him in a list of new staff hires expected to make a major impact this year.
Fernando Mendoza himself credits Owings for his physical transformation, which helped him lead his team to a championship. "Owings got me to put on good weight, allowing me to run fluidly when needed," Mendoza shared.
With Owings' expertise, Tennessee is gearing up for a promising season, ready to show the college football world what they’re made of.