Tennessee Vols assistant coach named as one of college football's top young rising stars

A Tennessee Vols assistant coach was named by 247Sports this week as one of college football's top young rising stars.

247Sports included Vols special teams coordinator Evan Crabtree on their annual 30under30 list.

Crabtree, a former long snapper at Miami (OH), has been on Tennessee's coaching staff since 2022. He was promoted to special teams coordinator this past offseason when special teams coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Ekeler left for Nebraska.

From 247Sports: Crabtree worked in off-field roles for the Vols the last three seasons, helping the program to a run of 30 wins in that stretch. Part of that success was due to some of the best special teams play in the country, including last season when it led the nation in punt return yardage. The Vols promoted Crabtree this offseason to special teams coordinator after Mike Ekeler left for Nebraska. Those around Knoxville consider him to be schematically sharp and detail oriented.

"I was a long snapper in college," said Crabtree in April. "I had a lot of times and meetings, just as a player, sitting in on every unit. Had a lot of great coaches that have molded me that are continuously pouring into me and all the things that they’ve learned throughout their history. Special teams is a passion for me because it’s a team-based unit, and you get everybody involved on offense and defense."

While Ekeler did a great job with special teams during his four seasons at Tennessee, the hope on Rocky Top is that having a dedicated special teams coordinator in Crabtree will help take that unit to another level.