#VolReport: Worley Carries The Fight

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Coming off of a tough loss to Florida, senior quarterback Justin Worley says he likes the fight he has seen from the team in practice to begin this week.

“I’ve been very pleased,” Worley said following Tuesday’s indoor practice. “The guys have responded well to coach Jones beating us up in the team meeting yesterday, which I thought we needed. Some of these guys needed to hear some of the things he said.

“I thought we responded well. We came out yesterday with a good mental approach, like coach Jones always says, and today we got after it a little bit. There were some guys flying around, made some plays, caught some balls out wide. So I thought we responded well to the weekend we had.”

He also says that he still has complete faith in his young offensive line, and that the unit has responded well to challenges from both him and coach Jones.

“They’ve done a great job,” said the senior leader. “I told them before scout periods today that every rep counts, every rep matters, and we win games by the way we practice. I think they responded well. They responded to coach Mo’ getting on them, coach Jones getting on them, and they’ve come out and responded well.”

Worley also said that the offensive line is improving every day, and that their best days are definitely ahead of them.

“I do (see growth). To the blind eye, you might not see it,” he said. “We could have hit some big, big runs on Saturday. One mis-fit here, one mis-fit there, the running back maybe not hitting the hole like he should have … and they’re things that we can correct, and are things that are easily corrected, so that’s encouraging to see.”

INJURY UPDATES

Butch Jones gave an update on a variety of injuries suffered by the Vols in the game vs. Florida.

• Tailback Jalen Hurd had limited contact, but it was nothing Jones hasn’t expected. “Jalen, he had limited contact but we do that with all of our running backs just because of the volume of hits that they take,” said Jones. “But again they practiced and it was business as usual.”
• Tailback Marlin Lane did not practice but is expected back tomorrow. “He has had an ankle injury,” said Jones. “We fully anticipate him being back for the game. Rolled it in the game and he will practice tomorrow. So all precautionary. He had practiced, practice, treatment, in and out.”
• Defensive lineman Owen Williams is out this week with a thumb injury. “It could be a week to two weeks,” said Jones. “We will see how he progresses. We will go through this week, cut the cast off, and we will see how he is doing.”
• Defensive back Michael Williams was banged up on Saturday, but Jones said, “Mike was back out there, full practice, again competing.”
• Wide receiver Josh Smith will not play this week according to Jones.

EVAN BERRY WORKS AT TAILBACK

Freshman Evan Berry saw action with the running backs on Tuesday. The versatile Berry has been playing as a defensive back and on special teams through five weeks of his first college season. This week is the first that he has worked in the offensive backfield as the Vols seek to build depth with Jalen Hurd ‘dinged’ with a shoulded ailment in the Florida game.

“Just experimentation,” said Butch Jones. “He had all the reps at defense but every chance we had with individual periods and after practice. Again trying to find a spot for him to utilize his speed.”

The Tennessee legacy, Berry played both safety and at quarterback for Creekside High School in Georgia. As a senior, he led Creekside to an undefeated record and a state championship. He was rated as a 4-star prospect as an athlete by several scouting services.

SAULSBERRY BACK IN ACTION

Last week’s game against Florida held certain significance to one individual on Team 118. Defensive lineman Trevarris Saulsberry, a Gainesville native, missed fall camp and the first four games of the season due to a re-aggravated knee injury. When he finally took the field against the Gators, it was an emotional experience.

“It feels good to play a game and not be hurt,” Saulsberry said. “It’s been a long time, something like a year, since I played my last game. It’s a process, you know. It’s not 100 percent but it’s where it needs to be. I just have to keep rehabbing and keep getting better.”

For Head Coach Butch Jones, Saulsberry has proven to be a beacon of positivity this season, demonstrating a self-determination to make it back to the field and provide needed depth for a young, developing defensive line.

“He played 37 reps and really gave us some valuable reps at the one-technique. We are going to need that because Owen Williams is out this week,” Jones said. “Having Trevarris back is a huge benefit and bonus for us.”

Saulsberry’s defensive teammates are excited about his progress, as well. Among them, linebacker A.J. Johnson was one of Saulsberry’s biggest supporters throughout his rehab and is now proud of how far he has come.

“He did a lot of great things for us last game,” Johnson said. “He was moving, he has a big body, he was doing his job. He fought back after his knee injury and he made himself come back. He wanted to come back and he willed himself to come back.”

For Saulsberry, the support from his peers and coaching staff meant everything and helped him most when his rehabilitation efforts didn’t always look promising.

“It was rough. I had my ups and downs,” Saulsberry added. “Curt Maggitt, Jordan Williams, Brian Randolph and Justin Coleman, they all just kept talking to me and kept me staying positive. I thank them and all of my teammates for staying positive, believing in me and just telling me to keep going, don’t let the mishaps hold me back. I stayed focused and now I’m here.”

KELLY ADJUSTING TO SEC COMPETITION

Freshman defensive back Todd Kelly Jr. has made his name known with impact plays. Having played in every game so far this season, Kelly has had the opportunity to adjust to the intensity and competitiveness of collegiate football.

In his debut as a Vol, Kelly recovered a fumble that set up a Vols’ touchdown. Since then, he has racked up 13 tackles and made two interceptions in both SEC games. Most recently, Kelly had an interception against Florida with a 21-yard return.

“I’m just doing my job,” Kelly said. “I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, not letting down the other 10 guys on the field that are with me. Knowing that I have an opportunity to make a play, you have to make it.

“I played offense and defense in high school and now I’m only playing defense, so I only get the ball in my hands for a limited time. When I get it I need to do something with it.”

Although Kelly credits the high level of competition for not slowing the game down for him, he has a better understanding of the game through the adjustments and improvements that he has made as a player.

“You have to adjust to it more,” Kelly said. ” I wouldn’t say that it slowed down just because the competition is so high. Everyone is good out there and able to make plays. The longer the season has been, the more I’ve been locked in and ready to go. The older guys have done a great job making sure I know what to do out there. Without knowing what to do, I wouldn’t know how to make those plays out there.

“At the end of the day, each of the 11 guys out there have to do their job, and if you execute your job together then you’re going to shut the offense down. Just staying locked in and focusing on my assignments instead of what other people have to do is the main thing.”

FULTON VISITS VOLS

Former Vols love coming back to Knoxville — even while they are playing in the NFL.

Last week it was Ja’Wuan James of the Miami Dolphins. This week it is Zach Fulton of the Kansas City Chiefs. Butch Jones appreciates the value these VFLs place on their relationship with the program.

“I think it speaks volumes for Knoxville,” said Jones. “The University of Tennessee and our football program when these individuals in the National Football League have a week off for a bye week and they chose to come spend it with us. Very proud of these young men and to have them back, obviously, Ja’Wuan last week and now Zach here this week, really excited for them. I will just answer any questions that you may have.”

SOUND BITES

Here are sound bites from #Team118:

HEAD COACH BUTCH JONES

»(On Justin Worley)

“The great players demand more from themselves than any coach can ever demand. If I have to go to him and demand more of him and it is more important to me than it is to him then we have the wrong guy. That is not the case. It means everything to him, he internalizes everything, he replays every play in his mind from practice and in the game. That is really the storyline of most of these individuals on this football team, they live this game. That is what we talk about, `live it, love it, like it.’ You need to live it in our program each and every day. Justin is one of those individuals that takes great pride in his performance.”

»(On Pig Howard)

“”Alton made some good catches for us but where Alton needs to take monumental strides in moving forward is his overall consistency. Everyone just looks at stats and he had some great plays but also the end of the game, we needed him to stick the nickel, push, stick and take the middle of the field because the middle of the field was wide open. That is the thing, as the quarterback, praise and blame it is all the same, when a quarterback throws an interception all eyes are on him and sometimes it is the receivers painting the picture for the quarterback, our protection or running backs or tight ends. Alton made some great plays for us but we need overall consistency in his play from route running from rep one to all the way to the end of the game.”

SENIOR QUARTERBACK JUSTIN WORLEY

»(On Derrell Scott)

“He’s had a much bigger role in practice this week. We know we’ve got to get him developed and ready to go. You continue to see Devrin [Young] and Marlin [Lane] and those guys progress, so that’s always helpful to have.”

»(On establishing the run this week)

“I think it’s going to be huge for us this week. I think to be able to establish a run can build some confidence for these front five guys, as well as create some balance and stop some tendencies that we have.”

SENIOR LINEBACKER A.J. JOHNSON

»(On remembering that Derek Barnett is still a freshman)

“I really don’t look at him as a freshman because he’s starting. He’s out there starting, doing his job and making plays. For him being a freshman and doing the things that he’s doing, it’s way past a freshman level. He’s a freshman but he’s not playing like a freshman.”

»(On playing another mobile quarterback this weekend)

“We have had a bunch of mobile quarterbacks and we know our fits. It’s not really what they do, it’s on what we do. So, if we’ll fit up our things and disrupt the offensive linemen so they get off of their plays, we’re going to do well.”

JUNIOR LINEBACKER CURT MAGGITT

»(On him playing his best football now)

“I’m not sure if it’s because of SEC play or what. I don’t know, I’m just trying to go out there and give effort, playing as fast and as hard as I can.”

»(On Derek Barnett)

“Man, Barnett impresses me every day. I’ve always called him my little brother, but now he’s like my regular brother – my twin or something. That joker, he’s smart effort-wise and in maturity. If you come out here and watch practice, you wouldn’t be able to point out him being a freshman. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I ask him to do something, I tell him to do something, he doesn’t second guess it. He’s going to go full speed, so I respect him a lot.”

JUNIOR DEFENSIVE BACK BRIAN RANDOLPH

»(On practice effort this week)

“We were definitely eager to get back in here. We actually came in on Sunday and watched a lot of film. We tried to correct our mistakes and look forward to this week and the opportunity to redeem ourselves.”

» (On LaDarrell McNeil’s improved play)

“That definitely, that’s my boy right there. He’s always worked hard, as well, just like Cam. He’s always in there lifting, always doing the `extra.’ He’s always coming in trying to get a jump-start on the other team’s offense and stuff like that, so it’s good to see things go up for him.”

JUNIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN TREVARRIS SAULSBERRY

»(On making his return from injury against Florida last week)

“There were a lot of emotions. I’m from Gainesville and with that rivalry, I don’t even know what to say about it. It meant a lot to be out there against Florida, coming back and being that it’s my hometown and knowing people on the other team. It felt good. I enjoyed it and embraced it as the process went on.”

»(On managing fear of injury while out on the field)

“It’s just practice, really. Brian Randolph always tells me, `When you go out there, just don’t think about it. Clear your mind and just go. Just play.’ When you play fast, bad stuff doesn’t happen to you. I just go out there, play as hard as I can and let God make the decision as to what happens.”

SENIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN JORDAN WILLIAMS

»(On being mindful of his attitude as a leader)

“A lot of young guys don’t really see the full picture of what it means and how fast the season can go. I think we just need to take this like our motto; one day at a time and one week at a time.”

»(On the importance of each player doing their job)

“That was one thing we harped on all last week. In the Georgia game, everybody felt that when the game got a little closer, everybody had to do a little bit extra. But no, it’s all about protecting your gap, holding your man and just doing your job. If there are no holes in a defense, they can’t get anywhere. We know we can do it and we just have to continue that.”

FRESHMAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN JASHON ROBERTSON

»(On the mentality of the offensive line coming into this week)

“We came in today with a huge appetite. We were hungry, practiced hard, tried to finish every play and do everything that we can to get better. As an offensive line we take a lot of pride in the things that we do. We came out here today and just tried to bust it and work as hard as we could.”

»(On Jacob Gilliam)

“I’m so glad you asked me a question about Jacob Gilliam.Jacob Gilliam is a guy that I’ve looked up to. A lot of our guys are close to Jacob. He has been a tremendous leader, especially when I came over to the offensive line. He helped me a lot as far as calls, schemes, everything. When I see Jacob, I see a warrior, someone who represents the state of Tennessee and represents our program. He got his scholarship in May and played his first game and gave everything he had. I have a deep respect for him for that. To see him come back after everything that has happened to him and to see him persevere, it’s amazing. I’m proud to see Jacob back.”

FRESHMAN DEFENSIVE BACK TODD KELLY JR.

»(On if the hard work pays off on Saturdays)

“No doubt. Playing in front of 102,455 fans, there’s nothing like it. Playing in your hometown, it doesn’t get better than that. I’ve enjoyed these last couple of games, but it’s a long season.”

»(On splitting time with defensive backs)

“(LaDarrell McNeil) He’s a great player. Brian (Randolph) is a great player. Also, Devaun Swafford is making plays for us in practice. We have a lot of guys that we can rotate in, and a lot of guys that can plays on the backend. We’re not too worried about playing time. We all push each other. We’re all friends. We just have a great time at practice and games.”