It was a sunny day in big orange country as the Vols took the practice field on Wednesday.
For fans, it just means another day closer to September 5 against Bowling Green in Nashville. To the fans who are itching to see what the media sees, it is another day closer to the open practice in Neyland Stadium this Saturday night.
Regardless, like the football team, fans have to take it one day at a time and here is what I noticed today.
Notes
Several Absences from the field
- Freshman offensive lineman Chance Hall and sophomore linebacker Cortez McDowell were in shorts on the sideline.
- Offensive lineman Dylan Wiesman missed another day.
- Senior Trevarris Saulsberry is still not at 100 percent.
- Jalen Hurd had the day off as well.
- Jason Croom and Pig Howard (hamstring tweak) were not participating.
- Preston Williams awaits the score on his ACT, but was seen inside the practice facility chilling on a chair.
- 3 DB’s out: Justin Martin, Evan Berry, and Stephen Griffin missed practice with varying injuries, they are believed to be back soon.
Observations
Practice started with a live scenario.
Butch Jones announced over the microphone that it was 4th and 1 and it was live. The first team defense vs the first team offense. However, it was freshman John Kelly running the ball and not Hurd or Kamara (no he is not the starter). Kelly burst up the middle for what looked like a three or four yard gain for what Jones yelled, “And that’s a Tennessee, first down!” The offense won that match.
Next up was the second team with Quentin Dormady handing the ball off to freshman back Joe Young. Young got met in the backfield and was stopped short of the first down by linebacker Colton Jumper and Elliot Berry.
Practice then broke off to some kick return and individual drills.
Freshman offensive lineman Venzell Boulware had an impressive rep against Shy Tuttle in some defensive line versus offensive line drills. Boulware stood up Tuttle. With the absence of Marcus Jackson and the offensive line still shuffling around, Boulware certainly is trying to make his case for playing time.
Hurd was absent at the tailback drills, but Kamara was there and still as explosive as ever, showing quick feet in all of his drills. John Kelly and Ralph David Abernathy were impressive today as well.
The quarterback crew was avoiding pressure in the pocket. The quarterbacks had to avoid pressure from the outside in the form of giant exercise type balls. Nobody got touched, and the quarterbacks demonstrated nice footwork in the process.
The receivers got in some good work today, and Josh Malone had a one handed catch down the sideline. It will be huge for the Vols if he can continue to find consistency and live up to that potential of that five-star rating.
Jauan Jennings continues to impress and improve, making some good catches. But he also demonstrated that he has some work to do in blocking, which will come as he learns the position.
Von Pearson’s NCAA acclamation period is officially over as the wide receiver was in full pads for the first time. Saftey Max Arnold was out in shell pads as his is still ongoing.
Overall Takeaway
There were several key players out with injuries today. The Vols are a bit banged at this point in fall camp, but there should be no major concerns. Nobody seemingly got the edge up in any position battles, but more of these questions will be answered in the next few days when the media meets with Coach Jones and the staff.