Vols redshirt senior says true freshman will be 'really special' for Tennessee

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated 12/18/23

Tennessee Vols redshirt senior tight end Jacob Warren will play his last game in a UT uniform in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa on New Year's Day, which means the program will be losing its most experienced tight end.

Warren, a Knoxville native who signed with the Vols during the 2018 recruiting cycle, has seen plenty of highs and lows during his time at Tennessee. But he leaves the program with things trending up for the Volunteers. And part of that upward trend is because of some of the young talent on Tennessee's roster, which includes true freshman tight end Ethan Davis.

Davis, a former four-star recruit from Georgia, didn't see much action in 2023, catching just two passes for 33 yards while playing behind Warren and McCallan Castles. But that's expected to change in 2024 when Davis should be a major part of the offense, even with the Vols recently landing Notre Dame transfer tight end Holden Staes.

And that's good news for Tennessee because Warren thinks Davis is going to be a "really special" player.

"I think Ethan Davis is going to be really special," said Warren during a recent appearance on Off the Hook Sports. "He has made huge strides since he's been here. He's one of those guys that I know will take the spring very seriously and will train his body to get exactly where it needs to be. I think he's going to be really good in the future."

Davis was listed on 247Sports' list of the most freakishly athletic recruits in late 2022. With a year of learning the Vols' offense under his belt, the 6-foot-5 wide tight end is poised to play a key role in Tennessee's offense as a redshirt freshman.

Ethan Davis is the No. 26 freak in 2023

- Tennessee TE commit at one point had SEC hoops offers
- Did a front flip into the ball pit at OT7
- Set a single-game school-record with 43 points this winterhttps://t.co/bDWoB3X9D3 pic.twitter.com/lLs9FCxjqS
— Andrew Ivins (@Andrew_Ivins) August 23, 2022

Tennessee fans received a sneak peek of the connection between Davis and quarterback Nico Iamaleava during the Vols' spring game earlier this year. That connection could be front and center next fall in Knoxville.