Notes From Vols’ Game Week Practice

Players participate in warm ups during the Vols’ first game week practice before the season opener against Utah State on Sunday, August 31st at 7 PM. PHOTO: Nathanael Rutherford

The Vols took the field today for the first practice of game week. Today’s practice felt very business-like, as Butch Jones and coaches were serious and down to business preparing for Sunday’s season opener against Utah State.

Butch Jones had his team work through a lot of special teams early in the practice today, and after that they broke into some individual drills to work on fine-tuning their mechanics and attention to details.

Trevarris Saulsberry was held out of contact and didn’t wear pads. Curt Maggitt, however, fully participated and was at full speed during drills.

Here are some notes from today’s game week practice:

• While Cam Sutton has been pegged as the leading punt return man on Tennessee’s recently released depth chart, the Vols still trotted out the same familiar faces to field punts today. Sutton got the first punt return, but Devrin Young, Vic Wharton, Jalen Hurd, Josh Malone, Justus Pickett, and Evan Berry all fielded punts.
• During kick return drills, special teams/tight ends coach Mark Elder, wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, and head coach Butch Jones were heavy on the basics and fundamentals. Many of the younger players will see time on the kickoff unit, so the coaches want to make sure they know what they’re doing and know what reads to make in every situation.
• Speaking of working on details, the receivers were harped on to make sure they ran their routes smoothly and pay attention to the “small details” again today. Marquez North was praised for his consistency.

Observations:

The competition for placekicking and kickoff duties is still going strong. Neither George Bullock or Aaron Medley has an edge in the amount of reps they are getting, and both look about even in performance.

Nathan Peterman still appears to have an edge on Joshua Dobbs for 2nd-string QB. Peterman has received more 2nd-team reps as a signal caller than Dobbs, and coaches seem to be more comfortable with him taking over should Worley go down.

The offensive line looks to finally be finding some consistency now that a depth chart has been released. In fact, the team as a whole seemed calmer now that things are a little more official. Competition is still fierce, and observers could spot backups giving just as much effort as before as they attempt to unseat current starters.