Tennessee Volunteers

Freshman McKenzie continues to impress, trucks player in practice (VIDEO)

Published Aug. 17, 2015 7:21 p.m. ET

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The Tennessee Volunteers are clearly a team on the rise in the SEC. The program has done a complete 180 under Butch Jones and look to contend for the SEC East thanks to a revitalized roster full of potential stars. Of all the young players on the team, freshman defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie clearly stands out from the rest. 

“There’s some times on the football field where you’re watching him and you just go, ‘Wow,’” defensive line coach Steve Stripling said according to 247Sports. “So no, I’ve never coached [a freshman] like that. Other than being big, he also has unbelievable hand strength and grip strength and use of his hands. For a young guy, his hand use is outstanding.

“Obviously everybody in the country wanted him for a reason.”

Here's McKenzie in action during last weekend's open practice:

As Stripling put it, you can see why everyone wanted McKenzie. If the freshman can come in and contribute immediately for a Tennessee team in need of size in the middle of their defense, the Volunteers may find themselves back in Atlanta before anyone expected. 

(h/t 247Sports)

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