For some Tennessee football players the annual kicking scrimmage means a lot of standing around with not much to do.
For Nick Reveiz, it might be his busiest practice of the year.
How many special teams is the sophomore linebacker from Farragut on?
“Yeah, all of 'em,’’ Reveiz said Saturday. “That’s my forte, I guess.’’
When UT opens at UCLA on Labor Day evening, look for No. 56 every time a kickoff or punt team takes the field.
Listed at 5-foot-10, 225 pounds, Reveiz is probably closer to 5-8. A lifelong Vol fan and son of kicking legend Fuad Reveiz, he came to UT as a walk-on in 2006. While redshirting, he was a warrior in the weight room to redesign his body.
Last fall, special teams gave him all the opening he needed to show he could pull his weight.
“Going into the Cal game I wasn’t starting anything,’’ he said. “I was second-team on every single special team.’’
Game by game, he found his way onto one unit, then another, until finally he was on all of them. He ended up leading UT’s special-teams with 15 tackles.
“I heard (Pittsburgh Steelers) Coach Bill Cower say one time,’’ Reveiz said, “especially on kickoff coverage, ‘It’s not about who’s running four-two or four-three. It’s about who wants it the most, who has the most heart.’
“That’s what I’ve always felt like. I’m going be the first one down the field. I’m going to make the play.’’
This year will be more of same, plus he’s ticketed to help as a back-up at middle linebacker. Earlier this week, coach Phillip Fulmer paid Reveiz the ultimate walk-on tribute. He put him on scholarship.
It’s fair to say special-teams bravado won that scholarship.
“I don’t think that’s the only thing,’’ Reveiz said, “but special teams is a platform. If I do well in that, I can show ‘em I can do something at linebacker.’’
Defensive coordinator John Chavis agreed that Reveiz proved himself on special teams. But Chavis added Reveiz would have never even gotten a special-teams nod if he hadn’t already proved to the coaches he could play.
“He’s an athlete that, to be honest with you, if he was six feet, six-one, he probably would have been recruited by everybody in the country,’’ Chavis said. “He’s five-eight, but he’s a heckuva football player.
“He can run and he plays with great pad leverage. He’s going to get to the ball and make plays.’’
That pretty well sums up why Reveiz’ preferred duty is kickoff coverage:
“I love running full speed for 40 yards, juking someone, and then just destroying somebody. That’s my favorite.’’
Cunningham Ready: Sophomore Chad Cunningham said he’s had a good camp and looks forward to punting and kicking off at UCLA. He’ll hold both jobs at least until senior Britton Colquitt returns from a five-game suspension.
“Chad’s done an exceptional job of getting his times down and kicking the ball,’’ Fulmer said. “I’m particularly proud of the maturity Chad continues to show along the way.’’
Cunningham punted one game last year when Colquitt was hurt and kicked off in several others.
“I feel great right now,’’ he said Saturday. “Kickoffs are going great, punts are going good, so I feel real comfortable. And kicking last year was definitely helpful. It makes you get the atmosphere of game day and how it’s going to be.’’
Cunningham’s goal is to use his five-game window to make it more than a five-game season.
“I want to do the best I can and (then) Coach Fulmer has to make a decision whether he wants to keep me or put Britton in,’’ he said. “I just want to be good enough to where he has to make that decision.’’
Personnel Notes: Fulmer had no news on Gerald Williams, who again did not practice as he awaits academic clearance.
Other than Williams, Fulmer expects everyone who will play at UCLA should be available at practice Monday. That includes Demetrice Morley, who was held out Saturday. ... Fulmer said cornerback Brent Vinson is part of most of UT’s nickle and dime secondary packages.
Hoops Visit: Bruce Pearl and his entire basketball staff made a practice appearance with 2010 prospect Aaron Craft. The guard from Findlay, Ohio, was on an unofficial visit.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 20
johnnylongball writes:
You know I'm kickin it first
gobigorange writes:
Quote of the day: "Pretty darn impressive"
utwick writes:
Agree totally with the General. Our special teams have not always been special or dependable. Great to hear how he loves to run 40 yards full out and "juice" someone. We can never have enough "juicers" on our team. Go Vols
JoshuaMR43 writes:
This has nothing to do with this article, but has anyone heard anything about the 5* recruit Chris Donald? J/W, I haven't seen his name mentioned at all in any team news.
vol4gzus writes:
Kosmo is again out in the Cosmos! Obviously only cheers 5 star players who have instant name recognition. BTW, I bet the 5'8" barrel could put you on your sanctified hiny in a NY minute....or quicker!!!
BTW, in case you didn't know he also plays for the TENNESSEE VOLS!!! Do you support the team? Then hush up on the anti-VOL player please sir!!!
FWBVol writes:
Kosmo, to say the player that was the leading tackler on our special teams and is the No. 2 middle linebacker is not important is down right ignorant. And then you add to it the legacy of his father, Fuad, and uncle, Carlos, two of the best kickers UT history, and you have a story right there.
Have you ever played or practiced on a special team even at the high school level? Do you know what it is like to sacrifice your body going at full speed to break up a wedge or make a tackle. It takes a special player to play special teams.
This kid can play. Chavis even said in the story if he had been 6-1 every one in the country would have been after him when he came out of high school.
Nick Reveiz is the epitomy of what it means to be a Tennessee Volunteer.
vol4gzus writes:
Evidently you are not as important as ewe think you are sir.........They told me a while back that my sandlot days of futbol didn't count so that blows your cover probably. Sarcasm intended,though lightly. Who is the 'they' that put lesser players on special teams to preveny injuries? I don't think you make that broad brush statement and make it stand.
Go4Two writes:
Kosmo
One of those special team non starters will make a play this year that will help us win a game. It always happens every year
NeylandWest writes:
Kosmos - you were right. You sure ticked off a bunch of people. I just hope you hear #56's cleats bearing down on you before he launces you into the TN river.
stroker writes:
FWBVol you go! Kosmo is allready drunk and looking for his kind of woman.
vol4gzus writes:
Again, the poster promotes his supposed bravado to make us all think he is the incredible hulk the women all adore. We can relate to this wonder child because of his many 'brave' exploits right? Or was that exploitations?
Nonetheless he failed to read properly. We did not say Young mister Reveiz was a star, but a quality player. Oh BTW, Berry and Morely stated they would be blockers for Dennis Rogan so he could see the end zone for 6. Oops, there goes that smoke screen unless coaches override.
vol4gzus writes:
Suggest an alternative poster name for the carousing Kosmo.....Kosmopolitan. Is it a good fit? Did I raise his level of intelligence and analytical skills?
On topic, proud to have Reveiz boys on our team. Hope the one with heart condition is doing better.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Do we know, and can we say, which of our players rocked the Cal TE on the opening kickoff year before last, knocking him out of the game? Don't think it was a cheap shot and it wouldn't be bulletin board material for them at this time if it was told. So who did it?
FWBVol writes:
Kosmo says Dennis Rogan isn't important because he plays special teams returning kicks. It doesn't matter if he gets hurt because he's not important.
Al Wilson, Donte Stallworth, Bill Bates, Willie Gault weren't important when they played at UT either because they were on special teams.
I'm glad I understand now.
Ironcity writes:
Kosmo just an FYI McCoy has played a lot of special teams as has Berry. Not sure if they are this year.
jack_2222#231746 writes:
Is Vinson healthy?
It was Ayers.
junder13 writes:
I wish we could have more players with the heart like Reveiz. Before he graduates from UT he will be a known name. To have 15 tackles in a season just from special teams is amazing! He may not ever start but its work ethic like Reveiz has displayed that makes a team better than what it should be. I hope others have developed the same work ethic.
Kosmo, you're an idiot and a waste of time. And it's more to do with your comment about special teams than Reveiz that I say that. Who can question the importance of sp teams? I guess you haven't watched Va Tech the last 10 years, or haven't seen how sp teams has hurt us so bad the past 2 yrs (Cal & Fl last yr especially). I've agreed with most of your posts but you lost credibility with this one, dude.
hueypilot writes:
For the argument against the free site and in favor of the $39/yr. site I submit VolFans Exhibit One: Kosmo.
rockytop47 writes:
Actually cosmo,
Berry does play special teams idiot! Berry will return some kicks along with Rogan and Berry also plays on field goal and punt defense! Which believe it or not is special teams! Man what a tool!
ssukonic#254241 writes:
Just got on here to read a little bit......General Watermelon--you're too much! Your 8:51 comment after the absurdities of Kosmo definitely had me LOL! Go Vols!
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