Tennessee Vols morning report: Practice position changes, Ryan Tice leaves
Tennessee Vols position changes in practice and news on JJ Peterson and Ryan Tice lead our Volunteers news for Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018.
We are two weeks away from the start of the SEC football season! The feel of college ball is in the air, and Tennessee Vols fans are ready to begin their new era under Jeremy Pruitt. But for now, they just have to continue to read morning news reports and analysis until it comes.
Today’s updates on Rocky Top involve major events that happened at practice on Wednesday, including position changes and Jeremy Pruitt’s take on specific units. We also have updates on specific players within the program to get to.
Finally, there’s an address from the new UT athletic director as he begins his first full academic sports year. It’s because of another news story, which involves the first official sporting event taking place tonight. So we have a lot to get to in order to build the excitement. Let’s start with another football practice.
Tennessee Vols practice involves position changes – Patrick Brown, GoVols247
Tennessee football held another practice Wednesday with lots of guys in different positions. They include Dillon Bates moving to inside linebacker, Kivon Bennett moving to outside linebacker, and Princeton Fant moving to tight end. On top of that, Jeremy Pruitt said the running backs are gelling, but the offensive line isn’t where it needs to be, and he’s still looking for consistency among the defensive backs.
"Pruitt indicated the movement of the three fringe players was basically for contingency purposes.“This is a physical game,” he said after Wednesday’s practice, “and last year where I was at we lost five linebackers in one game, so you want to be prepared if something like that happens.”"
Ryan Tice leaves program – Nathanael Rutherford, Rocky Top Inside
Tennessee Vols graduate transfer kicker Ryan Tice has already left the program. He came from the Michigan Wolverines earlier this year. The departure pretty much clears the way for Brent Cimaglia to start at that position.
"The Vols now have just four kickers/punters on their roster, and two of them are scholarship players. The aforementioned Cimaglia is a true sophomore placekicker and Paxton Brooks is on scholarship as a true freshman punter. Cimaglia’s only competition now is with Toser, and Brooks is competing with walk-on redshirt freshman Joe Doyle for punter duties."
JJ Peterson still working to get to UT – Dan Harralson, Volswire
Tennessee football four-star linebacker JJ Peterson has not yet arrived on Rocky Top. His high school coach, Rush Propst, said he’s still working to get there.
"“He will be there hopefully by the time school starts at Tennessee,” Propst said of Peterson. “He is working every day to get there.”"
Phillip Fulmer addresses Rocky Top – UTSports
With his first full year as athletic director underway, Phillip Fulmer addressed the Tennessee Vols for the fall in a video released Thursday. Here’s a bit of what he said.
"“Everyday at Neyland-Thompson Sports Center, I see our teams training and practicing with a work ethic and level of commitment that is encouraging. As Tennessee fans, you should be proud of how hard our young men and women work to achieve excellence.”"
Lady Vols soccer season set to begin – UTSports
The Tennessee athletic season for 2018-2019 is set to begin. Ranked No. 25 nationally, the soccer Lady Vols kick off the season at home against the St. John’s Red Storm at 7 p.m.
"The first 250 fans in attendance will receive a voucher for one $1 hot dog. UT Fan Experience will also be putting on a free Kids’ Corner prior to the match."