Vols Fall Practice #13

[Fingers]

Note: Friday was the last practice viewing day of the season for the media.

Cornerback Kamal Hadden and defensive lineman Elijah Simmons were not at practice while the media was present.

Offensive lineman Larry Johnson III was not in pads but going through stretches with the OL at the beginning of practice. Defensive lineman Tyler Baron and defensive backs Wesley Walker and Tamarion McDonald were all dressed in full pads and going through drills this morning.

Running back Dylan Sampson, defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott and defensive backs Christian Charles and Jourdan Thomas were all dressed but stayed inside when then team went out on the practice field for individual. Wide receiver Chas Nimrod was seen walks towards the sideline with a trainer during routes on air. Center Cooper Mays remains out.

the receivers and quarterbacks continue to look in sync doing this the back half of camp. It was another ‘deep ball day’ and Joe Milton worked through his progression throwing beautiful, tight spirals well down the field to all four of the ‘starting’ wideouts (Bru McCoy, Squirrel White, Ramel Keyton and Dont’e Thornton). The one to Thornton was right over the shoulder – great ball – into the end zone.

Freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava also looked good throwing the deep ball, missing only one of his throws that was short and a little inside. HE had a couple of really nice throws into the end zone.

McCallan Castles and Ethan Davis continue to grow in their in-line blocking of the position. Both is fairly new to the receiving options at their prior stops.

Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright look comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield. So does freshman Cam Seldon while fellow freshman Khalifa Keith dropped one. The offensive line continued to do group work with a lot of guys cross-training. It looked like freshman Vysen Lang was getting more work at guard compared to center today.

Some really good opportunities remain for Brandon Turnage at cornerback and Gabe Jeudy-Lally. Kamal Haden has been sidelined the last few days and there’s an opening to be Doneiko Slaughter’s running partner on the opposite side.

e.cain

On Friday morning, though, we didn’t see defensive lineman Elijah Simmons or cornerback Kamal Hadden out there.

Defensive backs Tamarion McDonald and Wesley Walker again went through stretch, turnover circuit and individual drills. Christian Charles went through the first two before staying inside to work with strength coach Kurt Schmidt. Defensive linemen Tyler Baron and Trevor Duncan both looked to be participating normally having been limited in the past.

The players working on the side included Charles, safety Jourdan Thomas, defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott (who scrimmaged on Wednesday) and running back Dylan Sampson. Also inside were freshman defensive lineman Nathan Robinson and freshman offensive tackle Larry Johnson III. Johnson was not dressed out.

Continuing a theme from last week, Tennessee quarterbacks Joe Milton III and Nico Iamaleava were pretty sharp in routes-on-air, which included some deep shots.

The first guys up at each spot at wide receiver were Bru McCoy, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Ramel Keyton. Second up behind them were Nathan Leacock, Squirrel White and Kaleb Webb up second. Chas Nimrod was in uniform and didn’t appear to be limited, but was getting his hand looked at while we were out there.

During one series of routes, the outside receivers turned post patterns into hooks with Kelsey Pope really liking the route McCoy ran. Keyton was sharp as you’d expect and Webb continues to look like a player growing in confidence. Leacock looked to run a good route, but dropped the pass.

Then came the deep balls. Milton hit both McCoy and Thornton in stride and Keyton only had to slow down a little on his. Iamaleava threw dimes to Leacock and Jack Jancek. His final one to Webb wasn’t his best, and the receiver appeared to lose it looking back into the sun.

Here’s who went first at each position during the first period of drills: John Campbell Jr. at left tackle, Andrej Karic at left guard, Ollie Lane at center, Javontez Spraggins at right guard and right tackle Jeremiah Crawford.

The second guys up in this period were Gerald Mincey at left tackle, Jackson Lampley at left guard, Dayne Davis at center, Addison Nichols at right guard and Brian Grant at right tackle. Notably there is Davis working at center and Nichols at right guard. Grant also has been primarily at left tackle in camp, but did play a lot of right tackle starting out last year.

Campbell has been a hit so far in camp with his takeover of the left tackle job and the impression he’s made on his teammates and others in the program. Here’s an example why: He jumped in for a few extra reps alongside a walk-on at center and freshman left guard Ayden Bussell during some half-line drills toward the end of the second open period.

There’s a real veteran presence from Aaron Beasley and Keenan Pili as they go through drills in a very businesslike manner. The young players at the position all look the part physically and athletically going through drills and will help this team on both defense and special teams.

p.brown

Let’s start with injury notes, per usual. Cooper Mays was absent as expected as he continues to work back from a preseason procedure. He wasn’t the only Tennessee offensive lineman limited as junior college transfer Larry Johnson III was out on the practice field but wasn’t dressed out.

Dylan Sampson was fully dressed out but stayed inside to work off to the side with the rest of the banged up players.

Along the offensive line the rotation was the same of what we’ve seen since Mays went down with an injury. The first team offensive line we saw working together in drills was, left to right, John Campbell, Andrej Karic, Ollie Lane, Javontez Spraggins and Jeremiah Crawford.

With Sampson not going through drills with running backs, there were more reps for Khalifa Keith and Cameron Seldon.

It was a strong routes on air portion of practice from Tennessee’s quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends. While there have frequently been absences from receivers during routes on air there weren’t any today.

Ramel Keyton, Dont’e Thornton and Bru McCoy worked with the first team and caught passes from Joe Milton III while Kaleb Webb, Squirrel White, Chas Nimrod and Nathan Leacock caught passes from Nico Iamaleava.

I didn’t see any incompletions from Milton as he was consistently on time and on target. The Vols worked on deep routes and Milton was money on a pair of throws to McCoy and Thornton. He slightly under threw Keyton on a deep ball but the senior receiver slowed down and hauled it in.

Cornerback Kamal Hadden wasn’t out on the practice field while we were out there.

Two players who have spent a lot of time working off to the side but were full participants during Friday’s practice are defensive backs Wesley Walker and Tamarion McDonald.

One note along the defensive line is that Daevin Hobbs was drilling with defensive tackles. He’s spent a lot of fall camp working at strong-side defensive end.

r.schumpert

Cooper Mays still absent

Gabe Jeudy-Lally is no longer in a red jersey

Jackson Locke was stretching with the team but didn't wear pads

Jourdan Thomas, Omarr Norman-Lott, Christian Charles, Mekhi Bigelow and Dylan Sampson spent extra time stretching

Sampson is "a little banged up" but will be fine

Eagles, Bengals, Browns, Jaguars scouts in attendance

r.sylvia

 

[mitzustu]

First

 

[HalfullVol]

Go Vols!

 

[USCGVOL]

Third.

 

[VolInDayton]

It sounds like we are pretty healthy heading out of fall camp and into game week. Position competitions will continue through the first two weeks of the season. Twos and threes should get plenty of opportunities the first two weeks so I don't think starters matter that much until Florida week

 

[mitzustu]

Worried about DT. With McNeil and Terry leaving. Simmons hurt. What do we have there? 3 guys? Thomas, Lott, Eason? That’s very very thin.

 

[counterdevotee]

Joe’s passes really do look beautiful. Can’t help but imagine what it’s going to feel like if he goes out there this season and exceeds all expectations. Would be amazing to watch.

 

[VolInDayton]

Worried about DT. With McNeil and Terry leaving. Simmons hurt. What do we have there? 3 guys? Thomas, Lott, Eason? That’s very very thin.

It would be nice to know what's wrong with Simmons but being banged up leads to me to believe he will be back in 3 weeks.

I think Tyre West and Daevin Hobbs provides interior depth.

 

[sjt18]

Worried about DT. With McNeil and Terry leaving. Simmons hurt. What do we have there? 3 guys? Thomas, Lott, Eason? That’s very very thin.

As long as those guys aren't out long it should be OK.

I can remember a time when big Dan Williams was the only true SEC DT on the whole roster. They had a DE playing the other spot and neither got a break.

Haven't there been some good reports on Hobbs? He might be good for some snaps. I'm sure if worse came to worst they would move Bailey or West inside.

 

[VOLfrombama]

Dom Bailey and Kurott Garland too

 

[lifeisdeep]

Joe’s passes really do look beautiful. Can’t help but imagine what it’s going to feel like if he goes out there this season and exceeds all expectations. Would be amazing to watch.

If he exceeds all expectations we’re in the playoffs and probably playing for the natty.

 

[WillisWG]

Yep, thanks Fingers!

See C. Seldon is without the "club".

 

[Vol_guy]

John Campbell Jr. at left tackle, Andrej Karic at left guard, Ollie Lane at center, Javontez Spraggins at right guard and right tackle Jeremiah Crawford.

I will be ok with this lineup starting against VA.

 

[KeyVol14]

Worried about DT. With McNeil and Terry leaving. Simmons hurt. What do we have there? 3 guys? Thomas, Lott, Eason? That’s very very thin.

Tyre west, Kurrat Garland, Daveon Hobbs, Caleb Herring

 

[volroadwarrior]

Keep Simmons tied up on the sideline the first 2 games. Then unleash him in the Swamp!

 

[farmdogvol]

John Campbell Jr. at left tackle, Andrej Karic at left guard, Ollie Lane at center, Javontez Spraggins at right guard and right tackle Jeremiah Crawford.

I will be ok with this lineup starting against VA.

Wouldn't be surprised if we don't see Mays until the UF game.

 

[TheVolsFrog]

Joe was looking smooth as butter in that first video. I'm excited.
That catch Nimrod made at :55 from Nico where he tried to make sure he stayed in bound was good stuff to see.

 

[TAF]

 

[Vol_guy]

Wouldn't be surprised if we don't see Mays until the UF game.

I completely agree

 

[KeyVol14]

Wouldn't be surprised if we don't see Mays until the UF game.

If he can play a few series I think he will. Dont want to be rusty going into the swamp

 

[perico]

I think they’ll shoot for Austin Peay (or whoever it is we play 2nd) at the latest for Cooper. They won’t gamble on taking his first snaps of the season in The Swamp of all places. They’ll want any Rudy gone by that point.

 

[butchna]

Joe was looking smooth as butter in that first video. I'm excited.
That catch Nimrod made at :55 from Nico where he tried to make sure he stayed in bound was good stuff to see.

Squirrel last year and Jalin the season before found a way to fall down or out of bounds short of the goalline.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

Worried about DT. With McNeil and Terry leaving. Simmons hurt. What do we have there? 3 guys? Thomas, Lott, Eason? That’s very very thin.

They will slide Baron inside, and both Hobbs and Robinson will burn their redshirts.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

PHANGERS NEVER FUMBLES!

 

[FBtime]

Squirrel last year and Jalin the season before found a way to fall down or out of bounds short of the goalline.

He only fell short of the goal line once and that was vs Vandy Missouri. He had to extend/partial dive for a ball in Clemson game.