Vols Football: Notes From Tennessee’s Second Practice
By Zach Ragan
The Tennessee Volunteers took the field for their second fall practice on Saturday afternoon in hot and humid conditions.
The tone was still business-like, but there were a few more instances of coaches getting on to players for lack of focus.
At one point, right after the stretching period, Butch Jones referred to offensive lineman Brett Kendrick as the “first energy vampire of the season”. He followed that up by saying “they [media] can write that”.
Kendrick wasn’t alone.
True freshman wide receiver Josh Malone was noted for his poor body language on two different occasions. It wasn’t all bad, however, for the four-star from Gallatin, TN. Malone was praised by Butch for his “good hands” after he made a one-handed catch of a Justin Worley pass.
Overall on Saturday there was a large emphasis on special teams — which isn’t unusual for Butch Jones. There was a lot of coverage work, as well as punt return work.
The return work had a rocky start as Pig Howard, Von Pearson and Devrin Young all dropped punts almost back-to-back.
Vic Wharton, however, looked solid in the return game. I could really see him making a push to get a decent amount of work this season as a returner. That will be his best shot at playing time as a freshman, since he’s buried on the depth chart behind Pig Howard, Josh Smith and Johnathon Johnson.
Here are a few quick notes from the Vols’ second practice.
Notes:
- Josh Malone, Von Pearson and Marquez North once again worked as first team wide receivers.
- Pig Howard, Jason Croom and Josh Smith worked as the second team wide receivers.
- Ethan Wolf worked as the first team tight end, while Daniel Helm worked as the second team tight end.
- Jacob Gilliam worked as the first team left tackle. Dontavius Blair worked as the second team right tackle.
- Evan Berry struggled on punt return drills. He was noted several times for his poor body positioning.
- Running back Treyvon Paulk is showing no ill-effects of his surgically repaired left knee.
- Drae Bowles made an impressive diving catch during individual drills and was praised by the coaches.
Observations:
I would say the current running back depth chart is:
- Marlin Lane
- Jalen Hurd
- Justus Pickett
- Derrell Scott
- Treyvon Paulk
I’m putting Paulk at five with the assumption he redshirts. However, he is looking good so far in camp. If he plays this season then I believe he will vault to third on the depth chart. I think Scott and Pickett are interchangeable at this point. Neither has done anything to separate themselves from the other.
Wide receiver Von Pearson is a bit raw, but he’s a very energetic guy on the field. He’s constantly complimenting his fellow wide receivers and celebrating their success. His attitude on the field is something the Vols need this season. I think Tennessee fans will instantly be a fan of his enthusiasm.
Former walk-on Jacob Gilliam is continuing to work as the first team left tackle, but I think it’s only a matter of time before Dontavius Blair takes over that spot. Jones has been very positive about Blair’s progress during the summer, but he isn’t going to just hand him first team reps. He’s going to have to continue to prove himself and I think he will before the Vols open against Utah State.
I don’t think there’s any doubt that Ethan Wolf is going to be the guy at tight end this year. Enrolling early was definitely a huge benefit to him. He looks like a vet out there (he also looks like he’s from California and not Ohio). It will still be a bit of a committee approach at the position, but Wolf should be the de facto starter.
Pig Howard may not break the starting rotation to begin the season, simply because Pearson is too good not to play. But I can’t see Howard’s playing time seriously diminishing from last season. Howard fills a specific role on the team that can’t necessarily be filled by just anyone.
Overall, this team is much faster than last season. Tennessee is starting to look like an SEC program once again. They still have a way to go before they get there, but they’re certainly on their way.