Today On Rocky Top: Corey Vereen Stands Out For Vols

Oct 5, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones on the sideline against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

From The Times Free Press

"Asked if he liked his performance in Tennessee’s scrimmage Friday afternoon in Neyland Stadium, defensive end Corey Vereen smiled and nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.“More or less,” he added with a laugh.The sophomore stood out on an up-and-down day for the Volunteers’ defense in the first spring scrimmage, racking up a couple of sacks and scooping up a fumble by quarterback Josh Dobbs forced by linebacker Kenny Bynum and returning it for a touchdown.“I have a lot of stuff to work on with Coach Strip [defensive line coach Steve Stripling],” said Vereen, who flashed his ability as a pass-rusher off the edge as a freshman last season. “As far as technique’s involved, I have a lot of stuff to work on, but it was a good, productive day today.”Read More at The Times Free Press"

From The Tennessean

"When Tennessee began its scrimmage on Friday at Neyland Stadium, reporters were asked to switch off their cameras but allowed to climb up into the stands to watch the rest of the action.The lengthy, hard-hitting situational scrimmage provided visual confirmation that coach Butch Jones was telling the truth: All four quarterbacks are, in fact, getting equal reps with both the starting and reserve units.And all four quarterbacks — including the only candidate without a college snap — have a shot to win the starting job.Read More at The Tennessean"

From ESPN

"Tennessee’s defense is peaking for the postseason, just as coach Cuonzo Martin asked at the beginning of the season.Jarnell Stokes scored 22 points, matching his season high, and Tennessee beat South Carolina 59-44 on Friday in the SEC tournament quarterfinals, adding a strong defensive effort to the Vols’ NCAA tournament hopes.The Vols (21-11) will carry a five-game winning streak into Saturday’s semifinal against No. 1 Florida.“We didn’t come to Atlanta to win one game,” Martin said. “We came to win the tournament. I told my guys if you’re not coming to win the tournament, don’t get on the bus.”Tennessee has not trailed in the winning streak and kept its lead over the Gamecocks in double digits for most of the game.Martin said the Vols have played defense in the winning streak “the way we wanted to, the way we talked about at the beginning of the season.”“It’s been fun to watch,” Martin said.Read more at ESPN"