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Drill fits a ram-tough Nick Reveiz

By Dave Hooker (Contact)
Originally published 10:56 p.m., August 6, 2008
Updated 10:56 p.m., August 6, 2008

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Nick Reveiz is a perfect fit for the Tennessee Drill.

Only 5-foot-10, the former Farragut High School star has leverage on his side - an important factor in the one-on-one, test your manhood drill.

A chiseled 225 pounds, Reveiz also has the strength to stand toe-to-toe with many of the players on Tennessee's football roster.

Then, there's that whole toughness thing.

"It's the first opportunity to show what you're made of," the sophomore said of Wednesday's Tennessee Drill at Haslam Field. "I just went in there thinking I'm not going to be denied and I'm going to make my stand and that's what I did."

Making that stand came at the expense of senior fullback Ryan Hill, who got the Reveiz experience head on.

"I know what I'm made of," said Reveiz, who is the son of former UT and NFL kicker Fuad Reveiz. "From day one, how my family has raised me, I try to be a tough person. I don't let tough times break me."

As a walk-on, there have assuredly been plenty of tough times for Reveiz, who has not so quietly climbed UT's depth chart to second-string middle linebacker.

Reveiz has turned enough heads that he's even getting some looks as a standup pass rusher in UT's nickel and dime packages.

All of this came following a day with an auspicious beginning. Reveiz admitted that he started the day sore from four consecutive days of practice and not so sure he wanted make it five in a row.

"I was starting to feel sorry for myself," Reveiz admitted. "I realized, 'Just pick it up and get going.' "

A Long Walk: Chris Walker certainly responds well to criticism.

The defensive end turned in one of the more outstanding plays in a 58-play scrimmage, running down tailback Ja'Kouri Williams 30 yards downfield.

The play, Walker said, was a direct result of defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell's offseason critique that Walker needed to play harder. After watching himself on tape, Walker agreed.

"I took that personal just because I pride myself in playing hard," the sophomore said. "It's just instinct now."

Wednesday's play would have reminded some of his high school days, when Walker played linebacker before moving to defensive end last fall. Now, Walker is backing up Wes Brown at left defensive end.

"I'm a big guy to an extent," Walker said with a smile, "but I still have a little bit of speed in me."

Walker played in all 14 games last season, mostly on special teams, and registered three tackles. Now, he's ready for more.

"This year I decided I was going to help the team out a little bit more and get my self in a position to play a lot," he said.

Walker had some ground to make up in the offseason following knee surgery in April. Now 100-percent, he could prove to be one of the surprise players of camp.

"I've got to keep my motor up," Walker said. "You make more plays playing hard than anything else you can do. If you play hard, a lot of things will come for you."

MIA: Sophomore tight end Brandon Warren missed practice because of an academic commitment.

Redshirt freshman Cody Pope also did not practice. The center/tight end became ill just before practice Tuesday.

Junior defensive end Chase Nelson could be out of action for an extended period of time with an injured knee, according to coach Phillip Fulmer.

Position Switch: Fulmer said freshman Rod Wilks has been moved from receiver to safety.

"Rod has shown he's a very good athlete," Fulmer said. "He's about 220 pounds and it looked like it probably would be difficult for him to get into the top six of the receiving corps, so we moved him to safety to see how he looked.

"He did a really good job from what I saw. He doesn't know much about what he's doing right now but if he can help us in different packages, it will be a plus."

Wilks' brother, junior Marsalous Johnson, plays cornerback for UT.

Turnovers: Quarterbacks Jonathan Crompton and Nick Stephens threw interceptions. Fulmer also said fumbles were an issue.

Drew Edwards contributed to this report.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       87 Comments

Posted by LargeOrange on August 6, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You have got to love the attitude of these guys. all about getting better and trying harder. I like it!

Posted by LargeOrange on August 6, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh yeah first shemerst. Big deal

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 6, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Reveiz! BOOM!!!!!!

Posted by LargeOrange on August 6, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not going for it, tooo easy.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 6, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He's bigger than McNeil at least

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on August 6, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hope they knock off that turnover garbage soon.

Posted by bobbarbilly on August 6, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Man!!! When I first saw this article I thought it was about a visit to the dentist.

Posted by FWBVol on August 6, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You expect some turnovers the first day or two in pads, but hopefully they won't become a habit.

Wilks a 220 pound safety is just a couple of loaves of bred shy of playing LB.

Posted by Goodvol on August 6, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's obvious to me that McNeil has gone a couple of rounds with JerkinlikeHeck's girlfriend. Maybe he isn't as big as you'd like but maybe big enough.

Posted by LargeOrange on August 7, 2008 at 12:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ah oh, stupidity is about to break out.

Posted by LiveFaith on August 7, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

* Hope they knock off that turnover garbage soon. *

Are you talking about the defense? :-)

Posted by Kosmo on August 7, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Glad to see Wilks in the secondary he wasn't good enough to be a receiver.

Posted by el_duderino on August 7, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm with IBleedOrange444, the turnovers need to stop. God I hope this offense is ready to go in 3 weeks.

Posted by gnm53108 on August 7, 2008 at 1:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What IBleed and el_dude said.With a new qb and o-cordinator we are probably going to see some turnovers this year.
Please keep them to a minimum.

Posted by txsvol on August 7, 2008 at 5:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Can Fuad's son kick, too? He's liable to be playing a lot--what a dark horse and what a story that the TV throats will have when he crushes Tebow from below! Sounds like Rod Wilks can unload on Tebow from either safety or linebacker. Go Vols! SAVol

Posted by RichRollin on August 7, 2008 at 5:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Turnovers must stop, but I wonder how much of it has to do with our D? Wilkes was a VERY solid DB coming outta Smyrna, hes gonna surprise people at safety.

Posted by General_Watermelon on August 7, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck on playing safety with the best safeties in the nation in front of you.

Posted by pdhuff on August 7, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Did Dupree make the All Halls Crossroads team again this year?

I saw him at practice with his nose sticking out the earhole of his helmet.

Posted by TurboFan on August 7, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We needed some depth at Safety. Smart move.

Posted by johnnyjackson on August 7, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Side question, related to the Reveiz family. Does anyone know how the daughter is doing that was in the accident last year?

Posted by 55Vol on August 7, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff...that wasn't Dupree...it was workinlikeheck.... question is will he make the team?

Posted by tngeoff on August 7, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

txsvol.

Good post. Reveiz is going to surprise more than a few people this year. In the words of Bill Battle, "He knocked the soup out of 'em!" may be thought many, many times this season because of his tenacity.

Posted by chewzyournews on August 7, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll never forget Spencer Gulmire for Oak Ridge running over Nick Reveiz and the Farragut Addys.

- 18 ATT
- 351 YDS
- 3 TDS

Posted by tngeoff on August 7, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Look at Spencer now:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foot...

One day does not a career make. It still amazes me how many goobers hold Bill Bates career to his one play against Herschell Walker. It was one play. For Gulmire...he can be grateful he will NEVER face Reveiz again...because Reveiz would knock his richard in the dirt.

Posted by tngeoff on August 7, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's see...Austin Peay...The University of Tennessee??? Hmmm...

Posted by jcvet on August 7, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Same crap we heard last yr. during the TN drill which I think they should do 2x a wk all season. Then a bad Cal team made them look like a bunch of girls out there. Just have to wait and see.

Posted by alfrizzle097 on August 7, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bad Cal team? They were ranked number 2 set to become number 1 mid-way through last season. Their quarterback doesn't get injured, who knows where they end up?

Kosmo: He wasn't good enough to be a receiver? You're a moron. Give some actual critique. Did he have poor route running ability? Hands? What is it that made him too bad to play receiver but good enough to play safety?

Posted by VolGraduate on August 7, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"From day one, how my family has raised me, I try to be a tough person. I don't let tough times break me [but i almost quit b/c i was sore]."

it's hard out there for a pimp...in farragut...

i liked this guy before he opened his dumb mouth

Posted by chewzyournews on August 7, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh tngeoff,

Here goes govolsxtra writing an article about a guy good at drills. Have you ever read Bill Bates book? He remembers the hit Hershel put on him and I remember the hits Spencer put on Nick. All you have tngeoff is hypotheticals.

Later

Posted by tngeoff on August 7, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

chewzyournews.

Last year Nick had plenty of great hits during kick coverage. This year he gets to expand that role. Bill Bates was tough hombre and still is. Really nice guy though. I'll never forget Don Meredith explaining him to the viewers many years ago!

Later Bro'.

Posted by tngeoff on August 7, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Plus...in the toughest sport of all...Nick was a Champion many times:

At 215, Soddy-Daisy’s Matt Lettner scored first on an escape in the second period but Farragut’s Nick Reveiz, a defending state champion, came back to win 5-2. Reviez scored on a takedown with five seconds in the match.

Plus he was a starter last year in kicking teams:

Reveiz’s older brother, Nick, is also a linebacker with the Vols. Nick Reveiz has played in all 13 games, primarily on special teams, but missed Tuesday’s practice to be with his family.

Plus he has a family history of football success:

"Said Reviez’s father, Fuad Reveiz, a former Tennessee and longtime NFL kicker. “Football becomes distant. He has worked so hard and so much that it’s a great part of his life.”

Nick will have a great career at Tennessee and his punishing style is in keeping with UT linebacker history.

Posted by chewzyournews on August 7, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff,

I didn't realize you were in the know. I feel so much better now that I've wasted my time on here just to get back to square one. Next time I won't reminisce so your panties don't get in a wad.

Later Bra'

Posted by tngeoff on August 7, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

chewzyournews.

I humbly accept your vast superiority. You are so knowledgeable and wise. Please forgive my ignorance in your mighty prescence!

Later god!

Posted by BigMikeUT on August 7, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Having seen Wilks play in person several times last year, I'm not surprised at all that he's getting moved to safety. Even in high school he seemed a little "thick" for a WR. He often looked out of place because he was one of the biggest guys on the field and he was lining up at free safety and WR. He has the perfect build to be an outstanding safety, especially with his speed.

Posted by wewhite on August 7, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Someone forgot to tell Nick that he was too undersized to play college ball. Having seen him blast through an opponent's line, either en route to a first down or to a brutal sacking of an opponent's quarterback in high school, there is little doubt in my mind that Nick wouldn't listen even if you did tell him. Give 'em hell, Nick!

Posted by tngeoff on August 7, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wewhite.

E X A C T L Y!

Posted by bkgunter on August 7, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hook:
His day had an "inauspicious" beginning not an "auspicious" one, which would be positive.

Posted by GrnEyedBanditTN on August 7, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FWBVol... you must not have been doing your homework on big time college safeties. Granted, Rod Wilks is big as a freshman at S, but if the kid can run... it doesn't matter. I played at ETSU in the mid/late 90's and was a big SS. Two of the best game changing Safeties in the 2000's were huge by UT's standards... The late Shawn Taylor (U of Miami and Redskins) and Roy Williams (OU and Cowboys). They were both over 230 in college and All-Americans as well as All-Pro in the NFL. Eric Berry is now 210lbs. Thomas Davis was 220 plus at UGA as well as both safeties that started opposite him (Sean Jones and Greg Blue). LaRon Landry was over 210 while at LSU as well. Let's not forget about my favorite college safety... Mr. Brian Urlacher of my beloved Chicago Bears. He was 240 and played FS at New Mexico!!!!

Posted by VolGraduate on August 7, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

urlacher was a safety in college????

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 7, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW!!! Volgraduate is dumber than I thought. His football acumen (and knowledge in general) appear to be the equivalent to some cashier at Rocky Top Market high on meth.

Posted by rusty_shackleford on August 7, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jerkinlikeheck is taking a shot at a fellow poster. Some things never change.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 7, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And no one ever does it to me, right? I am amused by your double standards.

Posted by alfrizzle097 on August 7, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin: I'll go ahead and justify your comment MORON!! JK ;) Hope I helped.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 7, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Al, nobody asked you to justify it. LOL!!!!!

Thanks for the shout out though.

Posted by volfan5521 on August 7, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

workin> there you go again, workin to get someone to abuse you. Was your daddy mean to you? You sure are a sick little f---. It's just about Fulmer time, so put on your big elephant ears you bammer bozo and prepare for the CPF beatings to be commence.

Posted by volfan5521 on August 7, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I also watched Wilks play in HS. He looked out of place constantly because he was bigger,faster and better than anyone else on the field by a long shot. Great receiver, but maybe even better DB. He's huge might even grow into LB.

Posted by VolGraduate on August 7, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

workin:
funny comment...glad to see you are still giving iq tests via message board comments. it sounds very scientific w/way less beakers and bunson burners

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 7, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volfan5521, you got it right when you said "workin >". At least you acknowledge this fact. Thanks man.

Actually, volgrad, anybody that follows football semi-remotely knows that about Urlacher. That is unless you were born 3 years ago or are just plain dumb. I'll go with the ladder.
Considering you seem to be such a big fan, I'd thought you'd already know this.

Posted by VolGraduate on August 7, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i'm a big fan of urlacher or new mexico state? who said that? urlacher actually played neither linebacker nor safety in college. and what do you mean by "ladder"? I guess you meant "latter."

Posted by VolGraduate on August 7, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

my guess is that you are the "ladder"...which is "just plain dumb"

Posted by VolGraduate on August 7, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

point for volgraduate, score volgrad 1, workin 0

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 7, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

New Mexico State? LOL!!!!!!

Posted by VolGraduate on August 7, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i hereby challenge workin to a knowledge bowl followed by an armwrestling match

Posted by tngeoff on August 7, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hold it 'til tomorrow and I'll very the facts for you guys. No offense or anything...but my bucks are on VolGraduate! At least on the cerebral part. I don't either of you guys so I can't bet on the arm wrestling part. I gotta' roll outt'a here for now. Thunder out!

Posted by auttat on August 7, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

workin you can go with a ladder, just not sure if you are needing to get on the roof or put out a fire. I would go with the "latter"

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 7, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like tngeoff is going to lose money. auttat, you are late as usual. Nice try though.

Posted by GrnEyedBanditTN on August 7, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The LOBO Back that Urlacher played lined up at the traditional spot like a free safety would in a 3-3-5 or 4-2-5. Urlacher was allowed to run free to the ball whether it was a run or a pass. He made first team All-American Safety of course. That is why he is so great as a Tampa 2 MLB... similar concepts.

Posted by BAMABLOWS on August 7, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i wanna see the knowledge bowl! lets get it on!

Posted by ThurmondEppy on August 7, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Man, I just can't get over "Jerkin" Like Heck. I don't know the guy but the mental image of jerkin like heck is hilarious.

Posted by Kosmo on August 7, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jeffrey Nicholas listen homie. Don't call me a moron unless you wanna get your face stomped in. Alright. Just because you're on the dudes nuts doesn't mean we all are.

Posted by pammyvol1000 on August 7, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!!!!

Posted by tngeoff on August 8, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Todays BIG EVENT!

In the Orange corner, current GoVOLSXTRA undisputed cerebral challenge champion is VoooooooooooooolGraduate!

In the White corner, we have the top rated challenger, currently undefeated and a local favorite to unseat VolGraduate is WoooooooooooooooooorkinLikeHeck!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RBeoP...

Now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29UTga...

The first question in the cerebral challenge may be offered by any GoVOLSXTRA poster:

1.

Posted by longtimefan on August 8, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin, who's Brian Uralicker?

Posted by VolGraduate on August 8, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

workin,

what does "plain dumb" mean? are there flavors like bagels?

Posted by VolGraduate on August 8, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i win by default...workin is a no show

Posted by longtimefan on August 8, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I want my money back!

Posted by tngeoff on August 8, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And the winner by default is VoooooooolGraduate!

How the battle would have gone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrENw_...

longtimefan.

Sorry. Seems as though WorkinLikeHeck took the proceeds!

Posted by tngeoff on August 8, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulationa VolGraduate!

Any poster (no posers) who wishes to challenge the undisputed champion, VolGradute...just have your people contact my people and we'll set it up.

Posted by VolGraduate on August 8, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

too funny...i cant quit laughing

Posted by longtimefan on August 8, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He's worthlessasheck. heres a previous crime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpvjw3...

Posted by tngeoff on August 8, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

longtimevol.

You won't believe it but WorkinLikeHeck is ahead of you. As soon as you posted that link he went to YouTube and had it removed.

VolGraduate.

It's good to have fun! Especially when the stories are slow in posting. One can pnly post so many thoughts and analysis on each story.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 8, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow...people are back on this article again?

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 8, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngoeff, you would think that there are only so many thoughts and analysis on each but nimwit sjt would probably disagree.

Posted by VolGraduate on August 8, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

agreed...i'm always down for a good laugh even if it is at my own expense

Posted by VolGraduate on August 8, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TRIVIA QUESTION:

did the olympics start before or after the opening ceremonies?

Posted by VolGraduate on August 8, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i guess you're not as dumb as you act.

here's another one workin:

if you had to get on a roof would you use a ladder or a latter?

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 8, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ummm....we've already established this. I knew right after I submitted the post that it was wrong and I'd get called out for it.

Posted by VolGraduate on August 8, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

just messin around...have a good one workin

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