Today On Rocky Top: Butch Jones Praises Derek Barnett

From The Tennessean

"At a couple of different points during the open viewing periods of Tennessee’s football practice Thursday, the Volunteers were trotting out all newcomers on the second-team defensive line.Whether the doors are open or closed, one new guy in particular continues to pop up.Tennessee coach Butch Jones singled out freshman defensive end Derek Barnett, a former Brentwood Academy standout, for praise, echoing the early buzz the 6-foot-3, 267-pounder has generated.Read more at The Tennessean"

From the Times Free Press

"The start Tennessee’s quarterback trio has had to preseason practice is causing some unrest.Mike Bajakian, the Volunteers’ offensive coordinator, is staying above the fray, though.Second-year head coach Butch Jones was blunt in assessing his quarterbacks’ struggles following Thursday’s practices, and though Justin Worley, Josh Dobbs and Nathan Peterman had a better day Friday, Bajakian still declined to deny his disappointment.“You’re always looking to improve, and you’re always looking to get better,” he said. “Not having that consistency, yeah, I’d say that’s disappointing.“By no means am I panicking. They’re good players. We’ve got a bunch of good players in my meeting room, and they work hard and they’ve got the right mentality. It’s just a matter of coming out and performing day in and day out.”Read more at the Times Free Press"

From Rocky Top Insider

"With just over three weeks left until the season opener against Utah State, the Vols are set for their first chance to go to work in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night as the Vols hold their first situational scrimmage.It’s been a first week with mixed reviews – a combination of excitement about the potential of the newcomers and the development of some of the veterans combined with some of the more harsh realities about Tennessee as a program and its lack of talent and depth at certain spots.Wide receiver is one of the best examples of optimism mixed with some tough realities. The talent at that spot is evident. But with so many inexperienced players in the mix, coach Zach Azzanni knows that Saturday will be a good chance to see if they can start putting it all together.Read more at Rocky Top Insider"