Vols Football: 4/9 Practice Notes

Vols junior quarterback Joshua Dobbs throws a pass during Thursday’s practice. PHOTO: Nathanael Rutherford

It was a muggy Thursday afternoon, and the Tennessee Volunteers football team was back outside on the practice field for the 8th spring practice in the 2015 offseason. Running back Alvin Kamara was still not with the team, but he is expected back for Saturday’s practice.

The Vols ran through their usual assortment of drills, and they also ran through the Circle of Life drill again and some 4th down situational work as well.

Here are some notes from today’s spring practice:

• Jalen Hurd was the only scholarship running back participating in practice today for the Vols, but as usual, Hurd was wearing a green non-contact jersey for the duration of the practice. That means walk-ons Jayson Sparks and Chris Beck got a lot of work today.
• Speaking of Sparks, during one of the 4th down situationals, Sparks found a hole the offensive line opened up for him and ripped off a big run. Unfortunately, the play would’ve been called back a bit if it really happened because Von Pearson got called for holding downfield on the play.
• On two of the 4th down situationals with the 1st team, Pig Howard converted 1st downs, one on a throw from Dobbs and the second on a sweep play.
• When the 2nd team took the field, Dormady flipped a pass to a walk-on tight end who broke free for what was going to be a touchdown. But before he crossed the goal line, the ball was stripped from him, and Devaun Swafford came up with the ball and it was ruled a touchback.

Observations

Dontavius Blair and Josh Malone were still on the 2nd team offense. And the 1st team defensive line consisted of Kendall Vickers, LaTroy Lewis, Dimarya Mixon, and Owen Williams. Don’t be shocked if none of them are actually starters for the Vols once the season begins, however.

The quarterbacks got a lot of work today, but none of them had stellar days. Dobbs still had the best day, but even he missed on some passes today. A lot of that can be attributed to the gusting wind, however

During a simple snap drill, some interesting names were seen giving snaps to the quarterbacks. Jashon Robertson, Ray Raulerson, and Dylan Wiesman were all snapping the ball. Robertson has been noted as a guy who has been given work at center during the spring, but the other two were likely just fill-ins and nothing more.