http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/jul/17/tennessee-vols-getting-strong...1 of 219/07/2008 3:54 PM
By:Wes Rucker(Contact)
Tennessee Vols getting strong and in shape for fall
Thursday, July 17, 2008
KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee has fielded a football program for more than 100 years.Many of those years featured rosters with more than 100 players.A former Chattanooga high school star has now bench pressed nearly 100 pounds more than any of them.Former Baylor School star Jacques McClendon has been ordered to cut back after bench-pressing 645 pounds earlier thissummer, according to Vols strength and conditioning coach Johnny Long.“That’s hard to roll,” Long said. “If that’s on the ground, it’s hard to push.”To the utter astonishment of his coaches and teammates, McClendon easily smashed Albert Toeina’s old record of 575pounds. Vladimir Richard, UT’s other budding offensive guard star, also cleared 600 on the bench.“But they won’t hit those numbers again, I can tell you that,” Long said Wednesday afternoon as half the team lifted insidethe Neyland Thompson Sports Center. “Obviously, I cut back right before the beginning of the season starts. I don’t need tosee them hit 600 again before football season and strain or tear a (pectoral muscle), and then we can’t have them fortwo-a-days.“They’ll be hitting up in that 500 range. Jacque could probably hit 500 any day of the week, two or three times, but I don’tneed him to hit it right now. I need him to get ready for two-a-days.”McClendon and his teammates have been put through new techniques this offseason. Summer’s voluntary workouts havefeatured up to three yoga sessions per week, thanks to Diamond Dallas Page. The former professional wrestling superstar’sYRG (“Yoga for Regular Guys”) video puts a masculine spin on the traditionally spiritual activity.Long said the Vols have “really enjoyed” the manly yoga. He said they constantly mimic Page’s “Diamond Cutter” handsignals at each other.“It’s really a fun thing with them, and that’s what it should be,” Long said. “They’re here with me nine or ten months out of the year. I have to bring new things to the table.”Senior defensive end Robert Ayers called the new yoga routine “interesting.“But hey, it works,” Ayers added. “I feel more flexible, and at this level, every little bit is a big thing.”No Vols have exceeded McClendon’s jaw-dropping bench mark — or his 730-pound back squat — but several havesurpassed program position records. Senior Demonte Bolden from Tyner Academy set a new defensive line mark with his565-pound bench press, while sophomore tight end Luke Stocker (565) and walk-on sophomore linebacker Nick Reveiz(640) set new squat marks at their positions.Sophomore All-American kicker Daniel Lincoln breezed past the program’s records with his 370-pound bench press,405-pound squat and 275-pound power clean.“We’ve got the buffest kicker in America, no doubt,” sophomore defensive end Chris Walker said through fits of laughter.They might have the buffest offensive lineman, too.“Jacques is just ridiculous,” junior defensive tackle Chase Nelson said. “You look at that number, and you almost don’tbelieve it. It’s crazy. Jacques is just a big, strong kid.“The level that he’s at right now in the weightroom is just ridiculous, really.”
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