Vols Spring Practice #10

[Fingers]

Jermod McCoy, who is recovering from a torn ACL, Jaydin Loftin and Jourdan Thomas were off to the side riding a stationary bike. Freshman Christian Gass, Jeremias Heard, Jamal Wallace, Arion Carter, Emmanuel Okoye, Daevin Hobbs, Mariyon Dye, and Christian Charles were in a group that was doing some light stretching while the team was in individual work. Freshman linebackers Jaedon Harmon and Jadon Perlotte were not full-speed. Nathan Robinson is also still sidelined. Miles Kitselman is out for the next few months with a pectoral injury. Braylon Staley didn't practice for the second straight day and defensive end Caleb Herring is out for the rest of spring.

Wide receiver Amari Jefferson and tight end Cole Harrison were in yellow jerseys this morning. Freshman tight end DaSaahn Brame was in a red non contact jersey.

With Harrison in a yellow jersey and Brame in a non-contact jersey, freshman Jack VanDorselaer was getting plenty of attention and work.

At the receiver position, it's slim pickings in the slot with Staley out. A limited Amari Jefferson and walk-on Tommy Winton was getting as much run as he wants. I thought given the windy conditions, the quarterbacks threw the ball well. The improvement in Jake Merklinger's delivery and velocity was very apparent in the outdoor work in the wind. George MacIntyre threw the ball better today. MacIntyre is definitely working on some things with his mechanics.

Brame had a nice catch down the middle of the field in routes versus air. His offensive skills are very apparent. The question is where is he physically as a blocker. Brame has missed a good bit of that work this spring due to injury.

On the offensive line, Sam Pendleton is working at guard. He is getting some center reps, but not many. The two centers getting the most work are Marcus Satterwhite and Max Anderson. While Pendleton is a swing guy who can play multiple spots, Wendall Moe who's transition has been good to point this spring seems like an anchor at left guard. Moe has been really solid.

In the return game, Boo Carter is obviously this team's punt returner. Tennessee likes having a running back as a kickoff return guy so no surprise that all the running backs including freshman Duane Morris is getting work in fielding kicks and even some punts.

I do think the development of Jake Merklinger is one of the good stories of the spring. Merklinger isn't going to factor with Nico being the starter, but he's gotten so much better.

As we get ready to exit spring, I don't think Tennessee knows what they have or don't have with Amari Jefferson. He's still working back through the hip and is learning the offense. He just remains an unknown. It's going to be interesting to see what Tennessee's portal strategy is at that position.

I mentioned it in my notes. Tennessee likes both OL transfers, but to me Moe is different and has locked himself in at left guard. He has adapted well to this offense. David Sanders continues to come on. He's developing at a really good pace and will need to continue to do that this summer, but there is zero disappointment there.

At running back I'm bullish on the future of Duane Morris. I think he can be a good one.

hubbs

Didn't see Chris Brazzell II today. Freshman Travis Smith Jr. was taking his first team reps in drills.

Carson Sneed, the brother of Dayton Sneed, was here. Four-star tight end in the 2026 class. Currently committed to UT but other teams are pursuing him and trying to force a flip.

Jake Merklinger had another really strong day. He's seemingly taking a dramatic jump from year one to two. Of course, no QB controversy in Knoxville, but a great sign that he's possibly developing at this rate. Interested to see what he does in the Orange & White game next Saturday.

Not the best day for Nico Iamaleava. Pair of bad throws over the middle of the field where the ball seemed to sail on him a bit. Was money on curls with good anticipation. Small sample size and he's been good at all other open practice periods so nothing to read into just yet.

r.sylvia

All five of Tennessee’s scholarship tight ends were present on Saturday, but Kitselman is in a sling-like contraption on his right arm/shoulder and Brame and Harrison are in limited-contact jerseys. But Abeln was putting his charges through some lively blocking work before they went to join routes-on-air work. The blocking work began on a two-man sled before moving to a one-man sled, where the tight ends had to navigate some simulated traffic and keep their feet right to line up a defender on a kick-out block.

With Kitselman sidelined, Ethan Davis is leading the line and he looks like a million bucks. He seems to be carrying himself with a lot of confidence. In him you can see the difference multiple years in a college strength-and-conditioning program can make.

Of the freshmen, Jack Van Dorselaer looks the most physically ready. The four-star from Texas who primarily played defensive end during his senior season is a little more filled-out than Brame, who had some good reps on the blocking sled. Abeln and analyst Cayden Cochran seemed pleased with the technique from their guys.

All the tight ends caught the football really well during routes-on-air work. Just about all of them made catches away from their bodies on out routes, and the 6-foot-6 Brame in particular had to go down to catch one at his knees. Harrison looked really comfortable showing off his athletic ability, route-running and hands.

The quarterbacks worked some swing passes and throws to the flat with the running backs inside before heading outdoors. The first round of routes had a wrinkle of what looked to be a screen pass. The quarterback would mimic adjusting a call or protection at the line out of the shotgun, and the running back would move from the left of the quarterback to lined up just behind the offensive line, probably where the right guard would be, before leaking out to the left flat – the quarterbacks had to get the ball up and over the arms of a simulated free rusher off the edge.

DeSean Bishop dropped a swing pass to lead off the second round of routes.

Outdoors, Nico Iamaleava had a couple of bad throws in a row in routes-on-air. He threw inaccurately to Tommy Winton III, the leading slot receiver ahead of Jefferson with Staley and Sneed not out there. He then threw one high that Davis couldn’t corral with an outstretched arm.

In limited viewing, Mike Matthews and freshman Travis Smith Jr. and Radarious Jackson looked the best of the wideouts.

p.brown

The former Westlake High School four-star has started to become a huge piece in this Vols system as he not only plays the part, but looks the part as well. His towering frame makes him one of the bigger receivers on the roster. Smith did a great job when running routes, including a sit-down route. Following the catch, he turned upfield which is something the Tennessee coaches have stressed during short game. He did a well job, even playing on par with Mike Matthews, who is expected to be the star wide receiver this season with the Vols.

Matthews has been an outspoken figure for the Vols this season as the true sophomore is being more vocal with his teammates. He has even started pointing out changes to receivers especially the younger guys who are having to grow up quicky.

Kaleb Beasley is looking sharp​

The Tennessee Vols' defensive back was one of the most improved from Saturday's practice. he had many solid reps, including playing in coverage. The talented defensive back was limited last season with an injury and will have the opportunity to show his true colors this season.

Merklinger is expected to be the No. 2 guy in the QB room, but that hasn't stopped him from taking George MacIntyre under his wing. The red-shirt freshman QB is looking to make the most of his reps following Gaston Moore's transfer and has done a great job this Spring, including Saturday. He was hitting most of his targets where he needed to, and that's what matters most.

Ethan Davis, DaSaahn Brame, and Jack Van Dorselaer did a great job at practice today as they made the most of their reps especially with routes on air. Brame had many great routes showing off his route-running arsenal, while Van Dorselaer showed off the perks of having a great frame. It is safe to say no one is going to enjoy tackling him. Davis has stepped up to the plate and has done a great job with Miles Kitselman being hurt, as he will likely be the No. 1 guy until the return of Kitselman.

c.sisk

 

[Pawleysvol]

We have to get another WR after spring. As we see have a couple of injuries and you all of a sudden have depth. I don’t understand their strategy staff’s approach with that room.

 

[JCVol00]

Yea we need to grab 2 wr’s imo, we have one injury rn and are repping a walk on at wr, that spells disaster. Also, the fact that we dont know what we have with Amari Jefferson yet is concerning

 

[HalfullVol]

Thanks for the update

 

[Go Fight Win]

man some of these read like they spit them into chatgpt... just awful. he did a "well" job?

thanks as always fingers

 

[jasonvol18]

Excited about Merk and Travis Smith. We've absolutely got a find a slot WR and pods another one to add to the WR room.

 

[butchna]

Would love for Moe’s return as a redshirt senior to be a conversation.

 

[butchna]

man some of these read like they spit them into chatgpt... just awful. he did a "well" job?

thanks as always fingers

Thought it was Dauane Morris, also.

 

[Orangeblooded615]

This has to be the most encouraging young talent we've had in a while. The depth isn't great with all the injuries, but we got some damn good players across the board.

 

[Go Fight Win]

Thought it was Dauane Morris, also.

who the hell is marcus satterwhite

 

[mitzustu]

Negative comments on Nico seem semi regular in practice reports.

 

[Pawleysvol]

Negative comments on Nico seem semi regular in practice reports.

Here we go. This fanbase ms attitude towards Nico has done a complete 180 compare to this time last year.

 

[mitzustu]

Here we go. This fanbase ms attitude towards Nico has done a complete 180 compare to this time last year.

Because he was sold as generational and he isn’t generational. 7.8 YPC is lower than all 32 NFL teams. Jarrett Guarantano averaged 12.3 on his career. I’m not saying he’s JG but 7.8 is paltry at best. And if you can’t stretch the field you can’t run what Hooker ran. I think it’s a large part of the “scheme change.”He has to improve.

 

[Pawleysvol]

Because he was sold as generational and he isn’t generational. 7.8 YPC is lower than all 32 NFL teams. Won’t cut it at that level either. He has to improve.

So you’re mad at him because he wasn’t as good in his first year as you had hoped even though he was pretty damn good as a first year started with protection and average receivers? Yes he needs to get better and I am confident he will. The talent is obvious.

 

[mitzustu]

So you’re mad at him because he wasn’t as good in his first year as you had hoped even though he was pretty damn good as a first year started with protection and average receivers? Yes he needs to get better and I am confident he will. The talent is obvious.

Jarrett Guarantano averaged 12.3 on his career and never less than 9.7 on a season. Even as a freshman, let that set in.

 

[Vfl2407]

Because he was sold as generational and he isn’t generational. 7.8 YPC is lower than all 32 NFL teams. Jarrett Guarantano averaged 12.3 on his career. I’m not saying he’s JG but 7.8 is paltry at best. And if you can’t stretch the field you can’t run what Hooker ran. I think it’s a large part of the “scheme change.”He has to improve.

True.
He was sold to us and we are paying him as generational.
Don’t think he will ever be that BUT he can be very good and he can keep improving each week, month, and year.

 

[mitzustu]

Self correction. I was looking at Y/A. Deserve any flaming I get.

 

[butchna]

who the hell is marcus satterwhite

Consider it a win whenever they spell the surname correctly.

 

[Pawleysvol]

Jarrett Guarantano averaged 12.3 on his career and never less than 9.7 on a season. Even as a freshman, let that set in.

I get it you think Nico sucks

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Here we go. This fanbase ms attitude towards Nico has done a complete 180 compare to this time last year.

Well he looked bad last year once conference play started. Last offseason people were optimistic, myself included, but hearing “Nico couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn again in routes against air in practice today” after watching him last year just doesn’t inspire much confidence.

 

[Pawleysvol]

Well he looked bad last year once conference play started. Last offseason people were optimistic, myself included, but hearing “Nico couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn again in routes against air in practice today” after watching him last year just doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Apparently you didn’t watch the second half of the season. No one hates their own players more than Tennessee fans.

 

[walkenvol]

I get it you think Nico sucks

I don’t think he sucks as he was a starter on a playoff team that won 10 games. He was however dramatically overhyped which wasn’t his fault. He produced numbers in the middle of the pack of SEC QB’s which isn’t disputable. Clearly he has the physical tools to be much more productive this season which is what we all are hoping for. None of these type of statements are insulting to Nico nor infer he is bad or sucks.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Apparently you didn’t watch the second half of the season. No one hates their own players more than Tennessee fans.

I watched every bit of the season, and if you think having decentish stat lines against Vanderbilt and UTEP means the guy is good (despite multiple egregious mistakes in each of those games), then talking ball with you is like playing cards with my brother’s kids.

 

[Pawleysvol]

I watched every bit of the season, and if you think having decentish stat lines against Vanderbilt and UTEP means the guy is good (despite multiple egregious mistakes in each of those games), then talking ball with you is like playing cards with my brother’s kids.

Huepel should get rid of him then. Hopefully he can make it Carson Newman or a school like that. Smh

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

Excited by Merklinger’s development. I’m no scout, but his high school highlights reminded me of Hendon.