'It's impressive' -- Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel received an important endorsement from Vols legend Peyton Manning

Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel received an important endorsement this week from UT football legend Peyton Manning.

Peyton, who played at Tennessee from 1994 to 1997, returned to Rocky Top this week and made time to check out a Vols football practice.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer joined The Mike Keith Show on Thursday and he described watching Tennessee's practices under Heupel as "impressive".

"I tell you, watching a Josh Heupel practice is impressive," said Manning. "There's no wasted period. I mean, the quarterback's taking snaps from the center, the handoffs. Every drill has a purpose -- which I was always taught that's how you should practice.

"And so look, that doesn't guarantee you're going to go out there and win every game, but from a preparation standpoint, it's impressive. I had a good visit with Coach. Got to meet Joey (Aguilar), our new quarterback. I had a good visit with him. So I'm excited the for season. Opening week, nothing quite like it. I'm looking forward to watching them play this fall."

Results on Saturdays are the most important thing in college football. But those results are, well, a result of what happens in practice during the week.

That's why Heupel makes it a point to make practice just like a game (which is how all the greats, from Michael Jordan and Tom Brady to Derek Jeter and Peyton approach practice).