#VolReport: Next Man Up

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Butch Jones and his staff preach that every member of the Vols should practice as if they were a starter. On Saturday that mantra will benefit Tennessee. Several members of Team 118 are expected to see increased roles when the Vols take on #19/20 Missouri on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Here’s a look at how three Vols are progressing in their increased roles heading into the key SEC match-up as the Vols seek to become bowl eligible.

HARD-WORKING JAKOB READY FOR MLB ROLE

Freshman Jakob Johnson is expected to make his first career start at middle linebacker on Saturday. Johnson has continued to impress coaches with his intelligence and desire to make an impact for Team 118.

“I like his intelligence,” defensive coordinator John Jancek said. “I like his size. I like a lot of the things he’s been able to do in a short amount of time. It’s going to be fun to see him get out there and compete and see what he can do.”

In preparing to start at middle linebacker, Jancek says that much of the defensive communication burden will fall on Johnson.

“It’s a badge of honor to be a middle linebacker,” Jancek said. “Jakob has to do it. He’s put the time in. He has worked extremely hard. I know he has been up early in the morning looking at film. We’ve challenged him to do so and he has responded well so far. “

Linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen doesn’t plan on making the transition to an increased role any easier for the freshman. However, he believes that Johnson is ready for the task.

“It’s part of the system,” Thigpen explained. “We’re not going to change anything. We’re not going to make it anymore simple for him. Here, you get what you deserve. He deserves to play this week. He’s doing everything we ask him to.”

With two more days until game day, Thigpen sees vast improvement in Johnson’s football intelligence and is excited for the way he’s responded to the opportunity.

“I keep forgetting that he’s only 19 years old,” Thigpen said. “I ride him and I ride him. But today I thought he responded really well. We were in meetings and he was talking like a sophomore or junior.

“I thought today he really stepped up, took command of the huddle, made all the checks, all the adjustments. I was really pleasantly surprised today that he responded the way he did. He came in last night and watched a ton of tape and made a ton of adjustments for us. I’m looking forward for the challenge for him.”

WIESMAN SET TO BE CENTER OF ATTENTION

If starting center Mack Crowder cannot suit up on Saturday, sophomore Dylan Wiesman will get the nod in the middle of the offensive line, giving Tennessee its sixth different starting offensive line of the season.

Wiesman has appeared in all 10 of Tennessee’s games this season, mostly on special teams and filling in at center in the win over Kentucky. He spent last season as the Vols’ backup right guard and can play multiple positions along the line.

“Depending on what happens with Mack, we shouldn’t skip a beat with Dylan,” offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian said. “He’s a very smart football player. He brings an element of toughness and a mentality just like Mack did.”

The offensive line has been versatile all season. With the various rotations and shifts up and down the line, Wiesman is the next guy ready to step up when his number is called. In addition to Wiesman, Marcus Jackson, Coleman Thomas and Kyler Kerbyson are capable of playing center.

“From training camp on, we’ve been working a lot of different rotations, putting guys at a lot of different positions,” Bajakian said. “Our guys are capable of handling such a situation.”

Offensive line coach Don Mahoney spoke about how Joshua Dobbs and Wiesman have a good working relationship.

“Throughout the spring, the summer, to this point, there is enough time they have gotten enough reps,” said Mahoney. “Dylan’s knowledge level, he’s extremely, smart and knows all the calls. I expect him to take complete charge of the line.”

TK JR. STEPPING UP AT SAFETY

With veteran defensive back Brian Randolph slated to miss the first half of the Missouri game, true freshman Todd Kelly Jr. will be called upon to fill big shoes in the back field this weekend. Having made two previous starts at the strong safety position, Kelly Jr. continues to show growth and an increased understanding of the Vols’ defensive system.

“I see consistency [from Todd Kelly Jr.],” said defensive backs coach Willie Martinez. “He’s getting better each and every day and he’s a smart, conscientious player. He’s obviously gained a lot of experience just playing from the beginning. That’s what we’ve hoped for with our young players is that by the end of the season, they’d be able to contribute and help us.”

Among the many areas of improvement, Martinez has noticed a big difference in Kelly Jr.’s confidence. After displaying a bit of hesitancy early in the season, the freshman is now one of the more vocal members of the defensive backs group, which is encouraging for Tennessee’s coaching staff to see.

“He’s physical and he’s more confident in our system,” Martinez said. “That’s the great thing is that with Todd, going into his 11th ball game, he’s played in every game. He’s gained a lot of experience and he’s made some big time plays when he’s been in some big time games. He’s getting more in command with our defense.”

Another good sign for Martinez has been Kelly Jr.’s attitude toward learning the system. As a member of a highly-acclaimed recruiting class, Kelly Jr. has been the perfect example of the type of player Tennessee is striving to bring in and develop.

“With the type of players we are recruiting at this level, you’ve got champion guys who want to win and you can see that from our recruiting class,” Martinez said. “A lot of them have won championships and it’s spreading. You can feel it. They’re a highly competitive group and it’s made us a lot better.”

In preparing for Saturday’s matchup at Neyland Stadium, the final home game for many, Martinez is focusing his group on the first task at hand this week. Quality repetitions and quality performances at practice will help not only Kelly Jr., but the entire unit prepare for their turn in the back field.

“We’re practicing just like we would normally,” Martinez said. “We’ve been training guys and we look at this as another great opportunity for somebody to step up and produce.”

SOUND BITES

Here are sound bites from the assistant coaches after Wednesday’s practice:

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MIKE BAJAKIAN

»(On how to contain the Missouri defensive ends)

“It is a full-team effort. Those guys are very talented and they are very quick off the edge. And the fact that they have two guys – frankly, they have some depth like they’ve always had. Even last year, those two guys were both backups. They’ve always had depth and done a good job of developing their players. They don’t allow you to focus on just one guy. You can’t focus on maybe chip-helping Shane Ray. You always have to worry about Markus Golden and Harold Brantley inside is also a very good pass-rusher and very talented. They make you focus on all of those guys.”

»(On if Joshua Dobbs’ mobility helps against a team with a strong pass rush from its defensive line)

“Obviously the element of what Josh brings with his feet is a concern to any defensive front when you are talking about pass rush. I’m sure they’re going to want to be disruptive in the pass game. They do a lot in the way of twists in games too that can take away quarterback rush lanes.”

»(On how Dobbs is different as a QB one year removed from when he played them last year)

“It comes back to decision making. He’s processing information quicker and making quicker decisions. He has also improved with his accuracy – that’s constantly an area of improvement for us. And he’s making more plays with his feet too.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOHN JANCEK

»(On what he sees from Mizzou’s offense)

“It starts with Maty [Mauk]. He’s very athletic. He runs around a great deal. He improvises and extends plays. He can throw the ball really well on the run. They’ve made some really good plays by just him improvising and the receivers adjusting down the field when they throw. That’s problematic. They have a big offensive line. A lot of experience. They play nasty. They have two really good running backs. I really like the backs. They’re not the biggest that we’re going to face. They’re north and south runners. They get a lot of positive yardage. They get behind those big offensive linemen and they find a seam and they get out fast and quick.”

»(On Derek Barnett’s eight sacks in the last four games)

“Reps, experience. The guy comes in. He’s a true freshman. He’s playing in a conference where the opponents are really good. It takes a minute to find your way and learn techniques. That’s really it.”

DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH WILLIE MARTINEZ

»(On Cameron Sutton’s leadership qualities)

“I’ve seen it throughout the whole year really, to be honest with you. He’s done a tremendous job. He’s always had it as far as being the guy to set an example. But he’s become more vocal, more demanding on the players and of himself. He’s owned up a lot to the things that he hasn’t done well. He’s gotten a lot better.”

»(On who needs to step up among the defensive backs group)

“I think the whole group has to. Again, each week we’ve had a tough challenge of trying to defend a tough quarterback, really good running backs and a slew of receivers with some experience and they’ve done a really nice job. We’ve just got to do a good job of preparing and understanding that we’re going to be successful on Saturday because of how we play on defense from a standpoint of playing with great leverage, tackling well and getting into the third-and-long situations so we can get off the field.”

DEFENSIVE LINE COACH STEVE STRIPLING

»(On having more sacks this year already than all together last year)

“I was actually reading one of our comments from a player the other day and it is just second year in the system. I think their football intelligence is improving, knowing where the back is and which way the protection is turning. I think we have done a better job this year doing this thing called studying the ticks which is little habits of offensive linemen. Last year we were just trying to get the defense in, but I think this year we are able to focus in a little bit more. I think it is a combination of everything.”

»(On Jordan Williams)

“It’s been unbelievable. I’m going to be really sad when he moves on because he is a great person. He always has energy. He has provided outstanding leadership. He and Curt (Maggitt)have just done a great job. He is one of those people you want to be around. It will be sad. He has brought alot to the program. I think to give him credit he has been through the whole system here. So he has probably seen more d-line coaches then a lot of guys as to where the freshmen are coming up and we are getting some continuity.His resiliency has been outstanding.”

WIDE RECEIVERS COACH ZACH AZZANNI

»(On the chemistry between the receivers and Joshua Dobbs)

“It is going good. I think now that we have a good rotation going and guys are stepping up they are getting better. Ryan Jenkins is improving every week. Vic Wharton has had his best week this week. He will see some time Saturday. I’m pleased with their progress. It is fun to watching these young guys step up and gohey I can playand I trust them. I’m going to put them in there and they are going to get some time.South Carolina we almost threw Ryan a touchdown pass, it was a little underthrown. Those guys are gaining my trust. They will play more and more.”

»(On Von Pearson)

“I think he can get a lot better. I don’t even know how many games he missed, four or five. He has been with me less than a year. he came in pretty raw. So I think he can get a ton better. He has really gotten better the last two weeks. Number one he is getting healthy again. Number two you start to see the work ethnics and habits start to take over a little bit. He is starting to become a big timer. It’s fun to watch. I think the sky is the limit. I think he will take a tremendous jump from this season to next season.”

RUNNING BACKS COACH ROBERT GILLESPIE

»(On Missouri’s defense)

“They are fast, aggressive andwell coached. There coaching staff has been together a long time. You can tell they have done a good job recruiting the type of kids that fit a profile. So they have done well adjusting to the SEC and they have become one of the premier teams in this league. It will be a big challenge. We are excited about playing a good opponent.”

»(On Jalen Hurd)

“He is growing every week. He is a true freshmen. He still has some things he could work on and get better at, but that is part of it. The more reps you get the better player you become. It’s kind of a gift and curse that he has gotten a lot of reps and he has been able to stay healthy throughout those reps. He is getting better every week. We just hope he continues to get better this week as we play Missouri.”

»(On an extra pep in Marlin Lane’s step being senior night on Saturday)

“I mean the writing is on the wall. He knows that, it is something that Coach Jones talks about. He has been counting down the days. He wants to go out and obviously do everything he can do to help this team win and make a bowl. This is a playoff series now. This is critical. We feel like we will have those guys prepared to go out and win.”

OFFENSIVE LINE COACH DON MAHONEY

»(On what makes Markus Golden and Shane Ray dangerous on pass rush)

“They are just relentless. They do a tremendous job, overtime with their coaching staff and us getting to know them. You can see that overtime and the type of guys that they have recruited and the program, again, just the consistency with the message of how they are coaching and the technique and the style of play is something that we really respect. That is really what those guys do, they play extremely hard and it is consistent. It is not one play hard and a couple plays off. They play relentless, they play the way the game is meant to be played over and over.”

LINEBACKERS COACH TOMMY THIGPEN

»(On what Mizzou could do differently)

“They’re going to do what they do. They’re going to lineup four wides, run the inside zone, run their best run plays and take their quarterback and do what they’ve been doing the last couple of games. Utilize him in the run game and the throw game. I don’t see them changing much at all. What we have to make sure to do is tackle in space, guys communicate and make the plays we’re supposed to make.”

»(On how the meeting room has been like this week)

“The room is always football oriented. You talk football. You have a guy like [Jalen Reeves-] Maybin that is in the room and now you have younger guys stepping up. That’s what I’ve been looking for. Young guys that can step up and talk the game and speak the game and make the checks. I thought Jakob [Johnson] and [Kenny] Bynum did a really good job in the meeting room. We still have two or three days to prepare.”