Bain still living the walk-on life
MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018
He’s still Paul Bain from Champs. Just like he predicted.
Bain etched himself into Tennessee Vols lore by blocking a field goal in last season’s opener against Georgia Tech.
The block on the final play of regulation ensured that the game would go to overtime, and the Vols won 42-41.
Bain is a walk-on defensive tackle who works at Champs Sports in Knoxville to help cover his bills.
After last year’s win over the Yellow Jackets, Bain didn’t figure he’d receive much fanfare.
“I expect to be treated the exact same. I’m still Paul Bain from Champs,” he said then.
More accurately, he’s the Paul Bain from Champs.
“I got a lot of people coming in asking, ‘Does Paul Bain really work here?’ A lot of stuff like that. A lot more recognition,” Bain said before Sunday’s practice.
“It was kind of weird adjusting to not having to introduce myself to some people, because they already knew who I am.”
Eleven months after Bain had his star turn, he’s still a walk-on. And the senior from Powder Springs, Ga., still works at Champs, selling shoes and doing whatever else is asked of him at the sporting goods store.
A year ago, Bain juggled football, Champs and a job on a horse farm, but he left the latter job to free up more time to focus on football. Even so, his days are packed.
He goes to class, then practice, then to work from 5 p.m. until close at 10. He ends his night with a few hours of homework and playbook study. And then? “Wake up the next morning and get ready to do it all over again,” Bain said.
The 6-foot-2, 292-pound Bain is a candidate to earn a spot in the rotation at nose tackle, a position where the Vols lack proven depth. He and junior-college transfer Emmit Gooden opened preseason practice working behind presumed starter Shy Tuttle.
Bain doesn’t think his walk-on status will affect his chances of earning playing time.
“These coaches have no agendas,” Bain said. “These coaches have no favoritism. It’s really, come out there, play your best, and the best man will win.”
Gooden is among five new faces on the defensive line who were added during the signing period.
Bain said he and the other veterans have a responsibility to help those newcomers get comfortable in their new environment.
“We need to be leaders,” Bain said. “… It’s very essential for us older athletes to kind of nurture them in and make sure they understand (what to do)."
Bain knows what it’s like to be the new guy on the squad. He transferred to UT after redshirting in 2014 for Division II Tusculum University. He felt drawn to giving the Division I walk-on life a shot.
“I feel like God gave me this ability for me to be pushed,” said Bain, who has appeared in five games during his UT career, including three last season. “I wanted to be in an environment where I was constantly being pushed and being pushed to the boundaries and the limits. I feel like there’s no better place to do it than the SEC.”