#VolReport: Spirited, Physical Practice

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Butch Jones was happy with the Vols’ spirited and energetic practice on Tuesday as Tennessee continues prep for #19/20 Missouri at Neyland Stadium this Saturday.

“We had very good energy today,” said Jones. “It was a very physical practice, very demanding practice. Actually we cut it short because of the physicality of it. Our players understand what it at stake. They know what they are playing for these last couple games. But I liked. We obviously need to correct some things tomorrow in moving forward. Monday was a businesslike approach, very consistent like they have been all year.”

With several adjustments to the Vols’ line-up several players will see enhanced roles. Jones has been happy with the work of those individuals.

At center, sophomore Dylan Wiesman is expected to see an increased role with the injury to Mack Crowder, who Jones called ‘doubtful’ for the game. Wiesman should draw his first college start on Saturday.

“Dylan has worked exceptionally hard,” said Jones. “Now is his opportunity, go take advantage of it. We have asked a lot of him. Playing multiple positions. But he is an individual who works hard. We are going to need him to step up.”

With junior Brian Randolph suspended for the first half of Saturday’s game following a targeting foul in the Kentucky game, freshman Todd Kelly Jr. draws the start in his place. Jones has played high expectations on the legacy.

“We are going to need to grow up in a hurry and TK [Todd Kelly Jr.] has done a good job when he came in when Brian had to leave the game,” said Jones. “TK did a very good job of coming in and TK is a very smart individual. He puts his work in, he does his due diligence. I expect TK to really step up and perform well.”

On defense, Jones expects sophomore linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to take on an enhanced role.

“We will rely on Jalen Reeves-Maybin a little but more,” said Jones. “He has experience at the second level of our defense so we will reply on him a little bit more.”

The Vols will also mix in several freshmen on Saturday in various schemes.

“Well in the short term its still going to be some nickel situations,” he said. “Some dime situations, some third down situations, we will rely heavily on Jakob Johnson and Cortez McDowell and Kenny Bynum as well.”

MEMORIES OF DEBUT FUEL DOBBS

When Joshus Dobbs made his first SEC start against Missouri last season, he was an inexperienced quarterback who struggled against the Tigers’ stout defense.

Heading into Saturday’s match-up with the 19th-ranked Tigers, Dobbs is coming off of a two-game stretch where he has accounted for nine touchdowns and more than 800 yards of total offense, and he hopes to show that he is a much improved quarterback.

“I remember a lot,” he said of last year’s game versus the Tigers. “Obviously, it being my first start, I remember a lot and I know things that I’ve improved on since that game. They’re a good team. They were a good team last year, they’re a good team this year, so we’re focusing on this year’s Missouri team. We know what we have in front of us, and we’re excited for the opportunity.”

Dobbs says that he has put last year’s performance against Missouri behind him, and is focused on getting win number six on Saturday.

“[I’m] always looking to get better, always looking at what I need to improve on, he said. “I haven’t like gone back – I’ve watched the game – but I haven’t gone back to think about what I was thinking through in that game, so I’m really just focused on this year.”

The sophomore quarterback admits that he may have been a bit antsy to face the Tigers last season, but he is ready and prepared to take them on Saturday night.

“I wouldn’t say nerves, I would say `excited,'” he said of his feelings last season. “I was excited to make my first SEC start, I knew it was a big game. And the same thing for this year, it’s a big game with a lot at stake. We’re trying to get to win six on senior night, so we’ll be ready.”

Dobbs says that the coaching and instruction he has received from offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian has made a huge impact in his development as a quarterback.

“I’ve improved a lot,” he said. “Being in the program for a second year, that helps a lot. Being under coach Bajakian and learning more about the offense and the ins and outs, and just being able to talk with coach Jake and have a better relationship, that’s what’s helped me the most. “

BARNETT’S IMPROVEMENT NEVER ENDS

It didn’t take long for freshman Derek Barnett to prove that he was an athletic and strong player. It was during training camp that senior defensive lineman Jordan Williams realized that Barnett was someone special.

“In training camp, (Derek) ran Devrin Young down from like 60 yards,” Williams said. “Then, the next play, he came in, made the tackle and stripped the ball. That’s something you don’t see freshmen do; staying focused and moving on to the next play, especially after they had a big play like that. He keeps getting better every week and he’s going to be really special.”

In Barnett’s last four games, he has racked up eight of his nine sacks. He’s tied for third in the SEC in sacks with 9.0 and has already etched his name into Tennessee record books having set the record for most tackles for loss (18.0) and most sacks by a true freshman in history.

The difference in the last four games for Barnett? He credits his improvement on the pass rush, comfort level and his teammates.

“I think I’m improving on pass rush,” Barnett said. “At the beginning of the season I struggled with that. I think I’m getting better at that every week. I make mistakes but I’m learning from it because the guys are helping me out.

“In the beginning I was more nervous. I was still getting a feel for college football. Now I’m starting to understand it. I know every mistake you make is critical.”

Moving past the nervousness and being able to embrace his position, Barnett says one thing turned it on for him to be as explosive as he is now.

“Having fun playing football. That turned it on.”

A SPECIAL JOURNEY FOR WILLIAMS

Approaching his final home game at Neyland Stadium this weekend, senior defensive tackle Jordan Williams reflected on his journey with the Vols following Tuesday’s indoor practice. Full of unexpected turns and valuable learning experiences, one of Tennessee’s biggest leaders on Team 118 is seeing the Missouri game come all too quickly.

“I thought about it last week when the game ended,” Williams said. “I thought, `One week from now, this will be my last time to run off of this field.’ But it’s another opportunity to play football and I really appreciate the fans these last four years. I appreciate Tennessee football and it’s going to be a fun game.”

Butch Jones has high praise for Williams and how he has grown and matured.

“Very proud of Jordan Williams,” said Jones. “Jordan Williams is definitely playing his best football. We have asked so much of him from adding the additional weight, from changing his position to the defensive tackle spot, and he has handled it.”

The Jordan Williams who met the media Tuesday is undoubtedly a different player than the one from two years ago. A huge increase in maturity, development and leadership has been matched with an increase in stature. Literally. Originally brought in as a linebacker for the Vols, Williams put on more than 20 pounds last year and has become a dominant force at the defensive tackle position.

“I never saw that coming but you just have to roll with the punches,” Williams laughed.

Despite the position change, Williams notes that his senior season has been his most comfortable and confident one yet, and feels that the program is headed in a great direction with his younger defensive teammates taking over.

“It’s a way different feeling that I’ve felt before, especially even going back to camp, knowing the play book pretty well and knowing the techniques that they teach us pretty well,” Williams said. “In building upon that, you can see how our defense has grown from last year to this year.”

Even if Tennessee’s moving forward has to be done without him, Williams will take plenty of great memories, lessons and friendships away from his time on Rocky Top. But he’s still looking to make a few more before he goes.

“It’s definitely going to be emotional for me because it’s my last time playing with my brothers at home,” Williams said. “The thing is, I just have to focus and refocus and try to attack it just like every other game. It’s football and you can’t let those distractions get to you.”

Jones summed up his feelings for Williams.

“I’m very proud of him in terms of he has really grown into a team leader.”

SOUND BITES

Here are sound bites from #Team118:

FRESHMAN RUNNING BACK JALEN HURD

»(On the offense’s recent spike in points scored)

“We’re finding a little rhythm and I think we’re doing really well on the offensive side of the ball, compared to the last few games we’ve had. And the defense has always been solid, stepping up and doing a great job. I think we’re really coming together as a team right now. The team is progressing every single week and you can see, we’re getting better and better as a team, putting up more and more points.”

»(On working with quarterback Joshua Dobbs)

“Each game we have together, we’re progressing and [Joshua] Dobbs is a great quarterback, a great athlete and he’s a great leader on this team. Having him out there helps us all out, just with running the ball, passing the ball and anything really. He’s a big threat out there and you have to respect him and his game.”

SOPHOMORE QUARTERBACK JOSHUA DOBBS

»(On advice he gave Dylan Wiesman)

“I talked to him. Me and Dylan, we’re roommates, so we have a good bond. I told him that `you’ve been preparing for this the past couple of years. You’re ready, and just go out and play like you’ve been playing in practice.’ So Dylan has done a lot of good things on the practice field, and he’ll definitely show it on the game field.”

» (On avoiding the rush)

“When you’re in practice, you practice pocket drills. You practice avoiding the rush, subtle movements, so when you get on the field, it’s just all natural. So, you feel the rush, you just try not to let it affect you.”

SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE BACK CAMERON SUTTON

»(On Todd Kelly Jr. playing for Brian Randolph in the first half)

“It’s another opportunity for him to step in, you know, and to make plays. With Randolph being out in the first half, he’s just got to come in, do his assignments, do his job, and just play for each other, and hopefully we’ll come out with a win.”

»(On Missouri’s receivers)

“They lost a couple of guys from last year, but they’re still dynamic this year. They’re big on the outside, they block well, they play for each other, and they go up there and attack the ball. They’re all-around complete receivers, and it’s just our job to limit those explosive plays and help come out with a win on Saturday.”

JUNIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN CURT MAGGITT

»(On what he sees from Mizzou)

“They’re a consistent team. Up front, they have a lot of big warehouse type guys. Athletes all across the board, especially at quarterback and running back. It’s going to be a good, fun game.”

»(On the increased sacks)

“It starts with film and preparation with Coach Stewart and Coach Stripling. They help us out all the time. And being critical on ourselves and just competing. The guys up front, Jordan Williams and OB doing the dirty work. Me, Barnett and [Corey] Vereen just feeding off each other on the ends.”

SENIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN JORDAN WILLIAMS

»(On weighing the importance of beating a ranked opponent)

“I’m not going to measure one game from any other. That’s when teams lose focus and put their preparation where it doesn’t need to be. We just need to prepare like we do every other week and attack this just like any other game.”

»(On what he’ll remember most about Tennessee Football)

“I’d just say the fans, the atmosphere and how important football is here. And how our fans have stuck with us. You see other programs where they don’t have the season that they want, and it’s an empty stadium toward the end of the season. We’ve got five sellouts this year and that’s something special.”

FRESHMAN DEFENSIVE LINEMAN DEREK BARNETT

»(On Curt Maggitt having a great year on his end)

“He’s done a great job. He’s going to hold his end down. Corey Vereen has been doing his job. The guys in the middle, all those guys, they don’t get enough love. They do the dirty work, the double teams. They push the quarterback to our side so we can get some easy sacks. I would credit a lot of those people in the middle.”

»(On why he chose Tennessee)

“So I could play with a bunch of my boys and stay here. My family can watch me play. I understand the tradition of Tennessee. I feel like we can bring it back.”