By most standards, Vols true freshman wide receiver Josh Malone has not had a very good camp.
He’s looked lackadaisical at times and has been chided by the Tennessee coaching staff for his poor body language and lack of effort.
Maybe Malone is channeling his inner Allen Iverson and he just doesn’t like practice. Or maybe he’s hitting the freshman wall.
Whatever it is, there’s no debating that the Tennessee native has not lived up the hype so far during fall camp.
But he’s still Josh Malone. He’s still the guy that had six catches for 181 yards and three touchdowns in the Orange & White game this past spring.
And on Wednesday night, during a practice that was closed to the media, Malone started to show some signs of life, according to Butch Jones.
JONES: I'm proud of Josh Malone. He's been fighting through things and he took big steps tonight.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 14, 2014
That’s huge news for the Vols.
Malone is expected to contribute — likely as a starter — early and often this season.
Apr 12, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) runs on the field during the spring game at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee will rotate seven or eight receivers. But Malone, along with sophomore Marquez North, is expected to be one of the top producers among the receivers.
The Vols are hoping they’ll get the Malone that showed up in the spring game, rather than the Malone that’s showed up during spring practice.
I don’t think Vol fans have anything to worry about. Malone will be ready to go when the season starts.
When he runs through the T at Neyland for the first time, it’ll be a lot different than a typical afternoon of practice on Haslam Field. He’ll be just fine.