'That's been the entire focus of the offseason' - Tennessee Vols OC Joey Halzle drops the most important quote of the summer

There's been plenty of drama surrounding the Tennessee Vols this offseason -- from quarterback Nico Iamaleava's transfer to UCLA to defensive back Boo Carter's status with the team, it's been an eventful summer on Rocky Top.

Ultimately, though, what really matters for Tennessee isn't what happens off the field, it's what happens on the field.

In 2025, the Vols' offense will be looking to return to the same production level that fans saw in 2021 and 2022. (Tennessee had the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, the Vols had the No. 37 and No. 13 scoring offense, respectively.)

Tennessee's offense hasn't been as prolific over the last two seasons for a couple of reasons. Specifically, opposing defenses have a better idea of how to defend it, and quarterback/wide receiver play has been inconsistent.

Vols offensive coordinator Joey Halzle met with reporters on Tuesday, ahead of the start of fall camp, and he admitted that finding a way to make Tennessee's passing offense more explosive has been the "entire focus" of the offseason.

"That's been the entire focus of the offseason, is when people are playing really soft [coverages] and dropping eight in coverage, how do we keep being explosive in the passing game," said Halzle. "And that's why, once again, we ran the ball the way we did last year. But it's not going to be that we just say that's par for the course now. The entire focus of this offseason has been how do we get our playmakers the ball in space with the ball in their hand where they can run and do what we've recruited them here to do.

"I feel like we've made some changes. We've done some things differently, but we're never going to lose sight of who we are, which is to be extremely aggressive with how we call it, and to push the tempo, to make people play in space. But what are the one or two different little things we can do that help free people up. And when people are playing really soft and saying, "Ok, you're not going over the top today', what are we doing to do to attack that and not let them set the directive of the game."

Tennessee hasn't had a wide receiver go over 1,000 yards since Jalin Hyatt in 2022. The offense simply has been as fast or as explosive these last two seasons.

Halzle's comments show that Tennessee's staff is fully aware that the offense hasn't been up to the standard over the last two seasons. And they've spent all offseason figuring out their next moves to counter how defenses have been playing UT's offense in recent years.

We'll see how that translates on Saturdays. At the very least, Vols fans should be encouraged that Tennessee’s offense is looking to evolve and become more explosive, rather than settling for the status quo of the past two seasons.