All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee Vols morning report: Spring practice begins, Pro Day

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Although the men’s and women’s basketball seasons ended prematurely, they ended just in time for Tennessee Vols football news to ramp back up again. Thursday marks the start of a new era in that sport and deserves tons of coverage.

Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with UT holding its first spring practice ever under Josh Heupel. However, that’s not the only football story occurring. The NFL prospects of former players also warrants coverage for today.

Beyond football, we have recaps in softball and volleyball, continuing coverage in swimming and diving and multiple previews for outdoor track and field. Men’s tennis rankings plus women’s basketball recognition is also receiving coverage. Let’s start with the football news.

Spring practice begins for 2021 – Brent Hubbs, VolQuest

Thursday marks the first day of spring ball for the Tennessee Vols football program under first-year head coach Josh Heupel. The start was delayed two days due to a COVID outbreak that affected the program last week.

"You can’t talk spring football at Tennessee and no discuss the quarterback position. Gone are Jarrett Guarantano and J.T. Shrout who packed their bags for the Pac-12, leaving Harrison Bailey, Brian Maurer, freshman Kaidon Salter and transfer Hendon Hooker."

Four Vols to participate in Pro Day – Patrick Brown, GoVols247

Trey Smith, Bryce Thompson, Brandon Kennedy and Josh Palmer will all participate in Tennessee football’s Pro Day Thursday. Smith, Thompson and Palmer received NFL Combine invites, but this year, combines are being combined with school pro days. They met with the media Wednesday.

"All of them spoke about their various paths on the process leading up to the NFL Draft, which is slated for April 29-May 1, and what they’ll bring to NFL teams. Smith and Palmer played in the Senior Bowl in January and all four have been training in different locales across the country."

Rennia Davis a Coaches’ All-American finalist – WBCA.org

One day after the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, senior forward Rennia Davis was named one of 15 finalists from Region 2 for the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association All-American team. There were five regions overall.

"The selection committee will choose the 10-member Coaches’ All-America team from these 52 finalists. The 2021 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America team will be announced Saturday, April 3."

Softball sweeps Kennesaw State – Andrew Peters, UT Daily Beacon

In a Wednesday double-header, the Tennessee Lady Vols softball team defeated the Kennesaw State Owls twice, winning 9-1 and 4-0 to improve to 23-5 on the year. This comes on the heels of losing two of three this past weekend at the Alabama Crimson Tide.

"Tennessee will take a break from SEC play this weekend to host the Lady Vol Challenge. The Lady Vols will kick off the weekend on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. ET against Troy. Tennessee will also see Furman at 1 p.m. ET."

Volleyball wins first match with LSU – UTSports

With the help of 23 kills by Morgahn Fingall, the Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball team improved to 11-8 Wednesday with a win over the LSU Tigers in four sets. The two teams will face off again Thursday at 2 p.m. ET for the final match of the series.

"The win is Tennessee’s sixth four-set win of the season, as they improve to 6-3 in games decided in four sets this year. Fingall, the sophomore right side attacker, hit .286 on the day, while tacking on seven digs and two blocks."

Swimming and Diving finishes Day One of NCAAs – NCAA.com

On the first day of the Men’s Swimming and Diving NCAA Championships, the Tennessee Vols came in at No. 22 in the 800 freestyle relay. Competition resumes Thursday.

"The 2021 DI men’s swimming and diving championships started on Wednesday and run through March 27 at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, N.C.Texas won the first event, taking the 800-yard freestyle relay ahead of Cal and Texas A&M on Wednesday evening. Action continues Thursday at 10 a.m. with prelims."

Track and field begins multiple events – UTSports

Two different events hosted by ACC schools will see members of the Tennessee Vols track and field program this week. UT will send players to the FSU Relays and Raleigh Relays, hosted by the Florida State Seminoles and N.C. State Wolfpack respectively.

"UT will send a small group of distance runners to NC State for the Raleigh Relays, while all other event groups will be represented in Tallahassee, Florida, at the FSU Relays. Both meets will run Thursday and Friday, March 25-26."

Both tennis programs in top 20 of ITA rankings – wearecollegetennis.com

At 17-2, the Tennessee Vols men’s tennis program was ranked No. 3 in Wednesday’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings. The women’s team was ranked No. 19 at 9-5. There were six singles players in the top 125, the most of any school, on the men’s side and two doubles teams in the top 80 as well. These were the first computerized rankings on the year.

"The rankings will utilize adjusted countable wins to reflect the lack of play particularly in singles and doubles. The ITA Rankings Subcommittee, along with ITA Staff, will continue to monitor the ITA Rankings as the season progresses as well as continue to work side-by-side with the NCAA as they prepare for selections in early May."

Home/Tennessee Volunteers