David Ubben discusses winning rising star award, Volunteers in 2020

Key notes from David Ubben interview

• If Edward Aschoff were still with us, he would be roasting me for winning a "rising star" award at 33. That's who he was. He was a funny guy. We worked together and had a lot in common, and we talked a lot. We didn't see each other often with us being in different parts of the country. We would run into each other in games. It was sad to see him pass away so young. I was able to go to his memorial in Atlanta in January. It was quite a room with all those people that knew and loved him. I've thought about him a lot since receiving this honor. Ed was the man. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who didn't like him. He was so talented.
   
• I didn't even know I had been nominated for this award. I remember when they established the award. The next thing I had heard was that I had won it. I've been thinking about him a lot. It's been cool to see Ed's face pop up and see him get talked about a lot yesterday.
   
• I got an early start in this business. I covered high school and junior high football back when I was in football and learned the ropes there. I've had quite a run here. I knew that I wanted to write and produce stuff. I hope I can do that for the rest of my career.
   
• The Tennessee fanbase is as advertised. They care a lot and are why folks like you and I have jobs. It has been fun. I was aware of them before I took the job because my wife is from Knoxville. It's been interesting since leaving Texas, but it's been fun. It's Volunteers 24/7 here. It's delightful writing for a fanbase that cares about every little thing that happens with this program.
   
• Over this pandemic, it hasn't been hard to find stuff to write about. Things have changed, and things have been influenced. The Athletic's entire motto is about being on the ground and investing in whatever you're writing, so that's been helpful. I haven't been able to travel for any of the stories. I profiled Jeremy Pruitt when I first took the job, and one of the things I did was go with him to a 90-year-old's house. I'm not doing that now. That's been the most significant impact on my job with all of the shutdowns and protocols.
   
• I think Tennessee could be second in the SEC East if everything breaks right. They're not too far off of Florida. I think Georgia is pretty far up there. They could sneak up and beat them, but proving you're better than Georgia over ten games is going to be difficult. I think they'll have a good season and feel good about going into 2021. I think they'll finish above the bottom half of the East, and the only team I think could knock them out of third would be Kentucky.
   
• Tennessee last year was a lot better. With their defensive metrics in the second half last year, they were on par with Ohio State. Now, they were playing the SEC East, but there is a lot to be said about having dominant defenses against conference foes. They need to keep beating up on those teams in the bottom half of the SEC East that have been beating up on you over the last few years. They did improve. I wouldn't say they were night-and-day different from the team they were in September, but they did stop beating themselves.
   
• Linebacker Henry To'o To'o is a name to watch on this Volunteer team. Tennessee fans are really aware of him. He could be a Butkus finalist this year. To'o To'o enjoyed a pretty quick rise already. He couldn't enroll early before last year. He showed up in the summer and was starting in week one amongst a talented linebacker group. He is everything you want.
   
• Eric Gray was a three-time Mr. Football in Tennessee. He had no touchdowns entering November and had four in the last few games. He could be an NFL back. I'm not sure he's going to get too many touches because it's such a crowded backfield. He is a special back.
   
• I think we'll see a 5-1 Texas A&M team come into Knoxville this year, and I also believe Tennessee will beat one top-five team this year. For whatever it's worth, it's easier to be a top-five team this year when two leagues aren't playing. Still, Tennessee can surprise someone every single week.