KNOXVILLE — This time a year ago, tight end Brandon Warren was one of the most scrutinzed members of the Tennessee football team. After transferring home from Florida State, the Alcoa native was expected to pick up where he left off after a freshman All American season in Tallahassee.
Unfortunately for Warren — and everyone else associated with the Tennessee offense — 2008 turned out to be one long season of futility for that side of the ball.
As a whole, the unit finished 117th in the nation in production and Warren himself didn’t have the homecoming he desired, finishing the season with 10 receptions for 85 yards.
That debut in UT orange left Warren wanting to make an impact under the new regime of Lane Kiffin.
“I’m not hungry. I’m starving,” Warren said.
Warren moved to wide receiver in the spring where his combination of size and athleticism make him a potential matchup nightmare. If he can successfully make the transition that is. Something Warren claims he’s been working overtime to make happen.
“The summer was really big for me. I got into my playbook, watched a lot of video and used all the time I had to my advantage,” he said of his work. “I’m feeling comfortable right now at receiver.
“I feel like I’m learning to use my size better. That’s one thing that (wide receivers) Coach (Frank) Wilson has really helped me on, just learning to use my body to position myself. Because I have a wide frame I can create some mismatches. That’s something I’ve been working on a lot, watching a lot of film of big receivers in the NFL to try and pick up anything I can.”
Warren’s physical attributes could translate well at his new position. Always a bit undersized for a traditional tight end, he’s not even ‘huge’ for the receiver spot at 6-foot-2, 216 pounds. That weight is a result of hard work on his part to change his body to some degree, and he still possesses uncommon strength for a player out on the perimeter.
His ability to be physical and take advantage of smaller defenders is Warren’s ace-in-the hole, if he can master the nuances of the position. Those charged with lining up across from him on the practice field see his potential clearly.
“It seems like he’s a lot more natural out there at wide receiver. Having that tight-end mentality at wide receiver is pretty scary,” Eric Berry observed of Warren. “The way he comes off the ball, he’s real physical with our corners. Even when I match up with him, he’s still very physical. At the same time though, he has quickness like a receiver. He can be scary.”
Warren’s opportunity to ‘be scary’ in game situations increased with the offseason injuries at the position, but according to the player himself, those injuries to Austin Rogers and Denarius Moore didn’t change his approach to fall camp.
“That didn’t change my mindset at all. I’m ready to play and I’ve been waiting for this moment. I’m excited and ready to take on the challenge. I’m going to work as hard as a I can everyday and get ready for the season,” Warren said.
“The coaches have been on me pretty tough and I’ve been willing to respond and take on the challenge.”
