2022 Tennessee Fall Practice #14

[Fingers]

This morning was the first day of Vols' preseason camp that looked like a true late-camp practice with all the guys in non-contact jerseys. Camp. It hurts.

rucker

Watching Tennessee practice, it's pretty evident that USC transfer Bru McCoy is smoother in running routes and more comfortable in the offense than early camp. And he's catching everything thrown in his area code. Now he just needs to get eligible.

a.sparks

Jacob Warren was not practicing again today, but was seen getting some conditioning work done inside the indoor while the team was out at practice. Wesley Walker missed practice again today – but there’s nothing to worry about there.

Freshman wideout Squirrel White was back practice today. It was a shells day, so don’t know if he would have been a full-go if everyone else was in pads. Nonetheless, he was out with the wide receivers going through individual and running routes.

Elijah Simmons and Kamal Hadden were participants once again today after returning to the practice field Tuesday morning. Jimmy Holiday was dressed and went through stretches, but then stayed back with a trainer when the team went outside, thus suggesting he’s being limited some.

yn-J Dixon and Jimmy Calloway did not practice today and senior defensive lineman LaTrell Bumphus was working out in the indoor. That screams maintenance day to me. Cheyenne Labruzza, Solon Page, Christian Harrison, Dee Williams and Deshawn Rucker were all in red jerseys this morning.

Dylan Sampson and Justin Williams-Thomas continue to look more comfortable as each day passes by. Jaylen Wright took part in the running back drills today once again.

Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton continue to look really good throwing the football in camp. Again, there’s no rush and no defense, but there’s something to be said for not many footballs on the ground. Not every throw is perfect, but there’s a clear difference between those two compared to Jackson and then the walk-ons.

Both veteran quarterbacks threw very well on the run today – each completing the long throw down the field (about 40ish yards). During the simulation, there are four routes and each quarterback will take a turn throwing to each route. They both hit on the intermediate throw as well while later, I saw Jalin Hyatt drop one.

e.cain

Hendon Hooker was as vocal during the beginning of practice breakdown as he’s been all of camp, bringing the energy to the morning practice.

Tennessee wasn’t bad during the drill but could have been crisper in the most difficult passing with no defense drill. The drill did give us another sign that Bru McCoy is further up the depth chart than the routes on air order would indicate.

Tennessee’s running backs worked on short routes where they read the linebackers in a zone defense to find the soft spot in the zone and settle down. It was a solid session for Tennessee’s quarterbacks and running backs besides a lone Jaylen Wright drop.

Javontez Spraggins was a bit late getting on the practice field during stretches but things were business as usual with the rest of the offensive line.

For as much pre-camp talk as there was about moving guys around in the secondary, Tennessee has done very little of it throughout fall camp. That versatility may show up more in the season once serious injuries happen, but for now there’s been little movement.

hristian Charles, Kamal Hadden and Brandon Turnage are poised to stick at corner with Turnage potentially helping out at STAR. Charles looks smooth on the practice field and like one of the highest ceiling guys in the defensive back room.
Tomarrion McDonald and Wesley Walker appear set at nickel though McDonald continues to do drill work at safety.

We’re continuing to buy the Juwan Mitchell hype as the former Texas transfer has been consistent on the practice field during fall camp and has avoided setbacks.

r.schumpert

Since we are going to be talking some special teams after practice, it’s worth noting that Australian punter Jackson Ross, the late scholarship addition to the 2022 recruiting class, is on campus and officially has joined the program. However, he’s not practicing currently as he’s not part of the 110-man roster for training camp. Ross will start practicing next week when rosters expand with the start of fall-semester classes.

There’s four footballs in the air but naturally you are drawn to the deep-deep ball. Hendon Hooker threw two beauties to Walker Merrill then Bru McCoy, the second against the grain as he ran left. Joe Milton III hit Kaleb Webb in stride on his deep throw and Tayven Jackson showed good arm strength with a great throw to Merrill.

With Calloway still out, White slotted in behind Jalin Hyatt in the slot, while with Holiday not there Ramel Keyton went to the other side behind Cedric Tillman. That bumped up Webb then McCoy behind Merrill at the other spot while Keyton and Jack Jancek followed Tillman. McCoy continues to round into form and noticeably looking more like himself, better conditioned and more comfortable – now the Vols just need him eligible.

At tight end, it looked like Princeton Fant and Charlie Browder got most of the reps as that group was a little shorthanded early in practice.

p.brown

Mitchell earned first team reps during Sunday's scrimmage, and he has continued to come on strong over the last two weeks. He was flying around today during tackling drills and just looks noticeably healthier.

Dylan Sampson continues to come on strong, and Justin Williams-Thomas appeared to catch the ball more naturally today. Jabari Small still is pacing the way in this room. Lyn-J Dixon and Jaylen Wright continue to nurse nagging injuries. Neither were full participant today.

Elijah Simmons was back in full forcetoday. Squirrel White was back in shells, but it was a shells practice, so it is possible he may not have been a full participant, but we are told he is trending in a positive direction from an injury standpoint. Wesley Walker and Jimmy Calloway were not out there today from what we saw. Calloway was in a jersey but no shoulder pads. Several guys in non-contact jerseys upon film review, including Dee Williams, DeShawn Rucker, Cheyenne LaBruzza, Christian Harrison, and Solon Page (in one yesterday)

j.foster

 

[bigvol67]

First?!

 

[malinoisvol]

Here

 

[sammy80]

present

 

[Vols91]

Third !!! GBO

 

[Palm Beach Vol]

Present Thanks Fingers!

VFL...GBO

 

[Gandalf]

After reading that - I got exclusive pics on locker room prep for our guys till the first game:

And a preview of the next open practice

 

[VolFan in St. Joe]

Thanks for the updates.

 

[mrmax86]

Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton continue to look really good throwing the football in camp

Joe Milton III hit Kaleb Webb in stride on his deep throw

This is my #1 takeaway. Hendon's a given winner. BUT, if he goes down, we need confidence that Milton will be able to pick up where he left off and not make as many mistakes as he did early 2021.

 

[DiderotsGhost]

Holy checkerboards, Batman, I can't believe the season starts in 2 weeks! Been following the Fingers updates, but still hadn't dawned on me till today how close we are.

I'm optimistic this season. As a Vol fan with BVS, I still fully expect to be let down, but I look at our schedule and there's really only 2 games that seem far-fetched to win. @Pitt, @ LSU, vs Florida, and vs Kentucky are no gimmes, but I do think we have the better or equal talent in all of those games. That game @ LSU will be interesting; no clue what we'll see from them this year, but it's in Baton Rouge, so it'll be difficult regardless. Still, this is the first season in a long time I look at our schedule and I don't *EXPECT* at least 3 automatic losses.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Bru needs to be eligible to play. Does anyone know what the actual hold up is? Is it USC? Is it the NCAA?

 

[Enki_Amenra]

Bru needs to be eligible to play. Does anyone know what the actual hold up is? Is it USC? Is it the NCAA?

 

[PEPPERJAX]

PHANGERS!!!

 

[RDU VOL#14]

 

[WoodsmanVol]

If the Real McCoy is eligible by Ball State game time, we may have a touchdown every 2nd passing play. And thenceforth the Vol ship, USS Defiant KNX-2022 will be on full red alert and wiping the CFB sector of SEC Borgs and OOC Jem'Hadar.

 

[strongj81]

First page, left a meeting to see the practice update! Gbo!

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I’m so sick of the NCAA.

No damn reason it should take this long for Bru to be eligible.

 

[T2P_Priceless]

I’m so sick of the NCAA.

No damn reason it should take this long for Bru to be eligible.

It’s USC from what I’ve heard

 

[TheVolsFrog]

It’s USC from what I’ve heard

That's what I heard to.
They should be given a deadline and if not then he becomes instantly eligible

 

[RockyTop140]

Bru needs to be eligible to play. Does anyone know what the actual hold up is? Is it USC? Is it the NCAA?

From what it sounds like, it’d be a huge blow to our receiving core if he is not eligible. Tillman needs someone else to help take the focus off of him.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

From what it sounds like, it’d be a huge blow to our receiving core if he is not eligible. Tillman needs someone else to help take the focus off of him.

I think he’s a game changer. If you put him on the outside along with Tillman those are 2 guys at 6’3” 210-220 that can make plays, w/ Hyatt in the slot. That’s potentially the best WR group in the SEC.

 

[Defcon5]

This is my #1 takeaway. Hendon's a given winner. BUT, if he goes down, we need confidence that Milton will be able to pick up where he left off and not make as many mistakes as he did early 2021.

Milton could be great #2 if can put some touch on the ball. Tayven could be something. Need 2 good QBs in 24 class.

 

[FLVOL_79]

 

[VolFanatic27]

I don’t comment much but I always look forward to these practice updates. Getting more and more curious about what is going on with Calloway.

 

[The Original Fade]

Bru needs to be eligible to play. Does anyone know what the actual hold up is? Is it USC? Is it the NCAA?

The holdup is that he signed with Tennessee