Vols Fall Practice #10

[Fingers]

The same guys who have been stretching off to the side prior to individual were doing the same on Sunday morning. Those players, who were still dressed out in full pads, were Omarr Norman-Lott, Tamarion McDonald and Wesley Walker. Defensive lineman Tyler Baron was also in that group today. Running back Dylan Sampson was with the running backs the entire time while media was present and not stretching off to the side at times. Offensive lineman Larry Johnson III was in street clothes and appeared not to be practicing while media was out there. Freshman tight end Emmanuel Okoye was back in full pads after not being dressed out yesterday while media was present.

Cam Seldon and the veteran backs looked comfortable going through the motions while freshman Khalifa Keith was getting some special instructions.

Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava had a good day throwing routes on air. It was a lot of underneath and intermediate stuff with the session today and we thought those two looked really good, maybe one of the better sessions we have seen in camp. There weren’t a lot of footballs hitting the ground. Jacob Warren and Ramel Keyton made good plays on the ball during the drill.

It looked as if both Gerald Mincey and Dayne Davis were getting some work in different spots.

One note on freshman Chandavian Bradley – he’s lightyears away from helping this football team but he might be the quickest guy in the room. He’s got some great speed off the edge and that will be his strength as a college football player. He does need to get stronger as when a lineman gets his hands on him, he’s usually controlled. Bradley has some really good promise but will need to continue to progress and get adapted like all freshmen do.

Tim Banks and Jaylan McCollough were also encouraging the safeties on the day, saying to not cut any corners and push through as it is the 10th day of practice and fall camp is beginning to feel pretty redundant about now.

a few guys who won some reps for the defense were Arion Carter, Aaron Beasley, Keenan Pili and Jeremiah Telander. Obviously, the linebackers were right in front of us. There was one rep where it was pretty much a stalemate between Beasley and Castles. Tyree Weathersby won his rep but was getting some special coaching from Rodney Garner. A lot of the young guys were somewhat out of control in this drill while the veterans appeared more relaxed with a plan.

e.cain

he newest development on the injury front is defensive lineman Tyler Baron joined the group of players who stayed inside to work with a strength coach with a couple of training staffers also overseeing these side sessions.

Defensive backs Wesley Walker and Tamarion McDonald again went through stretch before staying inside as they continue to work their way back from muscle problems. At this point it would be a surprise to see them be back in time for Wednesday’s scrimmage as Tennessee could opt to have them ready for the start of the season.

We also didn’t see Christian Charles going through drills, so there’s another absence from the safety group.

Also with that group again was Omarr Norman-Lott, so the defensive line was short a couple of key contributors.

Running back Dylan Sampson looked a little limited during Saturday’s work, but looked to be practicing fine this morning. Offensive tackle Larry Johnson III was walking into the complex while stretch was going on, so he was not practicing.

We’ve been talking up this group of linebackers and you could see why in this drill. These guys are physical and when they hit you, your forward momentum stops. Freshman Jalen Smith struggled some with his footwork and balance not being right and it had him on the ground a couple of times, but the other linebackers were standing guys up left and right.

The Jacob Warren-Keenan Pili collison stood out – the BYU transfer gave no ground in a matchup of two of the team’s oldest players. Freshman running back Khalifa Keith is a load but fellow rookie Arion Carter won that collision a couple of times they went against each other. The strength and technique of both Elijah Herring and Jeremiah Telander stood out on a couple of reps as they both stood up Emmanuel Okoye, Telander bouncing back from a rep where he wasn’t totally right.

Catching a few reps of the young linemen, freshman edge Chandavian Bradley is undersized and it shows up at the point of attack, but he’s got really good quickness. On one rep he spun off his blocker to get to the football. Tyree Weathersby, on the other hand, is not lacking for power or strength – he doesn’t look like a freshman physically – and while he pushed fellow rookie Shamurad Umarov back a yard or two, the football ran right by him. Another good battle I saw was offensive lineman Vysen Lang winning against Nathan Robinson in an all-freshman battle.

Things were really crisp as you didn’t see receivers slipping and there were very few footballs on the ground. Quarterbacks Joe Milton III and Nico Iamaleava were on-point with their accuracy on a series of crossing routes.

With the Vols back to a full complement of wideouts and tight ends, the order went: Bru McCoy, Chas Nimrod and Nathan Leacock at one outside receiver spot; Jacob Warren, McCallan Castles and Ethan Davis at tight end; Squirrel White, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Jancek in the slot; and Ramel Keyton, Kaleb Webb, Trey Weary and Nate Spillman at the other outside receiver spot.

Jaylen McCollough and Andre Turrentine continue to lead the shorthanded latter group and Warren Burrell again worked with the cornerbacks even though the Stars usually work with the safeties.

p.brown

There hasn’t been any serious injury concerns at receiver but Dont’e Thornton, Bru McCoy and Squirrel White have all been banged up and limited during some practices this fall. That wasn’t the case Sunday as all three were fully dressed out and going through routes on air.

The only absences I noted on the offensive side of the ball were Cooper Mays — who underwent a “minor procedure” earlier this week — and back-up offensive tackle Larry Johnson III. Johnson was out on the practice field but wasn’t dressed out.

It was a super efficient routes on air portion for both Joe Milton III and Nico Iamaleava. The only pass I saw hit the ground from either was a Iamaleava pass to freshman tight end Emmanuel Okoye on a curl route. The freshman quarterback’s throw was on time and accurate but Okoye couldn’t haul it in.

The only other note from routes on air is that Squirrel White was working with the first team while Dont’e Thornton worked as the second team slot receiver. Both will have big roles this season but it’s typically been flipped as to who works with the first and second team.

Jacob Warren was unsurprisingly working as the first team tight end while McCallan Castles was the second team tight end and Ethan Davis was the third team tight end.

Defensive backs Wesley Walker and Tamarion McDonald as well as defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott were fully dressed out but stayed inside the Anderson Training Center to work off to the side when their teammates went outside.

That’s been the case for the last few days but defensive end Tyler Baron joined his teammates working inside. I didn’t spot sophomore safety Jourdan Thomas during the open portion of practice. He’s been banged up throughout camp.

The STARs and safeties are running thin and both Turrentine and Slaughter are getting an overload of reps. Turrentine could push for playing time at safety in his second year in Knoxville and Slaughter is a solid looking athlete as a freshman.

On to some positive defensive reps during the “thud” work at practice. McCallan Castles talked earlier this week at how fast and physically freshman Arion Carter closes holes. That was on display as Carter got the best of Khalifa Keith during a rep.

Senior linebacker Aaron Beasley was the most consistent Tennessee defender during the reps I saw at practice.

r.schumpert

No surprise: Coopers Mays, DeSean Bishop weren't there

Larry Johnson III was around with no pads on

Elijah Simmons broke the team down in the pre-practice huddle

Scouts in attendance: Titans, Stellers, 2 Bills, Seahawks

r.sylvia

 

[TAF]

Sorry Fingers

I should NOT have doubted you...
Prayer & Practice Sunday | VolNation.com

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Second!

 

[Proud Army Wife]

I’m excited about this group of linebackers. Secondary still concerns me.

 

[TAF]

I’m excited about this group of linebackers. Secondary still concerns me.

I'm hoping for some Fresh/Soph "phenom(s)" to be found...
*that KNOW HOW TO TURN THEIR HEADS AND LOOK FOR THE BALL!!!!

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I’m excited about this group of linebackers. Secondary still concerns me.

I think Pili is a huge addition to this team. Not only from a talent standpoint, but he’s a guy who has played a lot of football, he’s mature and I’m pretty sure he’s married. He doesn’t have time for BS. He’s going to show the younger guys how to work.

 

[AlcoVOLic]

Thanks, Fingers!

 

[Proud Army Wife]

I think Pili is a huge addition to this team. Not only from a talent standpoint, but he’s a guy who is has played a lot of football, he’s mature and I’m pretty sure he’s married. He doesn’t have time for BS. He’s going to show the younger guys how to work.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

I'm hoping for some Fresh/Soph "phenom(s)" to be found...
*that KNOW HOW TO TURN THEIR HEADS AND LOOK FOR THE BALL!!!!

PLEASE!

 

[VOLfrombama]

I’m excited about this group of linebackers. Secondary still concerns me.

AP and Hubbs both siad they were excited to see how the secondary shakes out, with multiple players in line to play and/or start. It was shocking that AP and Eeyore said anything positive and maybe, just maybe, they have improved as a position group.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

AP and Hubbs both siad they were excited to see how the secondary shakes out, with multiple players in line to play and/or start. It was shocking that AP and Eeyore said anything positive and maybe, just maybe, they have improved as a position group.

The word “thin” used to describe that group got me. Like oh no, again!? I really really hope they’re improved. If not, Martinez needs to go imo. I was ready for him to go last season.

 

[84Volfan]

Carter is going to be one of the best LB we have had in a long while

 

[Proud Army Wife]

Carter is going to be one of the best LB we have had in a long while

I wouldn’t sleep on Telander either. Dude is going to be a problem.

 

[WillisWG]

Yep, thanks Fingers!

19 days and a wake up.

With Gospel music blaring from the speakers on a nice Knoxville morning, Tennessee hit the practice field early on Sunday for another practice coming out of Thursday’s scrimmage in Neyland Stadium.

 

[TMvol10]

The word “thin” used to describe that group got me. Like oh no, again!? I really really hope they’re improved. If not, Martinez needs to go imo. I was ready for him to go last season.

The “thin” comment was in reference to how many guys from that position group are banged up and not practicing. Thankfully none of the injuries sound serious and all will be back before the season starts

 

[Proud Army Wife]

The “thin” comment was in reference to how many guys from that position group are banged up and not practicing. Thankfully none of the injuries sound serious and all will be back before the season starts

I know, and that was a problem last year as well.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

Pilli / Beasley are a solid 1st team. The depth with Herring, Carter, Tealander, and Perry will be evident. And best of all, we don’t have Banks and Mitchell in the locker room.

 

[butchna]

I was low key fan of both Telander and John Slaughter’s high school highlights. Still thought Jalen Smith would be further along in development than Telander until we saw pics of his physical transformation around Spring practice. He’s always had that aggressive, smart attack linebacker mindset. John Slaughter just moves smoother and more efficiently in his backpedal and swivel than others. VQ sees him helping immediately on special teams…I predict much more by mid-season.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

I was low key fan of both Telander and John Slaughter’s high school highlights. Still thought Jalen Smith would be further along in development than Telander until we saw pics of his physical transformation around Spring practice. He’s always had that aggressive, smart attack linebacker mindset. John Slaughter just moves smoother and more efficiently in his backpedal and swivel than others. VQ sees him helping immediately on special teams…I predict much more by mid-season.

Telander was a tackling machine used in a variety of ways. He’s going to be a very good player.

This class will reinforce why recruiting rankings only take you so far. We are recruiting to a system, which allows for our guys to play sooner (at least on offense) . And with Carter, he was underrated because he only started playing LB last year. But if he had done the camps as a LB, he would be a 5* recruit. You’ll agree when you watch him.

Bottom line is that our coaches are evaluating and developing these guys. This class will close the gap vs Ga and Alabama, regardless of what it was ranked.

 

[Rockvegas]

Thank you for the update

 

[MSME Vol]

In years past have we had scouts in attendance during fall camp?

 

[Hank Bukowski]

e.cain











p.brown











r.schumpert




r.sylvia

Hang on…”Slaughter is a solid looking athlete as a freshman.” ?? Do we have two Slaughters on the roster now? The only one I know, Doneiko, is a senior. Maybe I myself am having a senior moment…

 

[BreatheUT]

I’m excited about this group of linebackers. Secondary still concerns me.

I expect to see an improved secondary because there will be a lot of competition for playing time. Believe it or not I like seeing Warren Burrell come back healthy. He missed the last 9-10 games and he was a big loss. The influx of freshman will have something to say because it's possible at least one might break through significant playing time.

 

[#1HomeGrownUTVOL]

Hang on…”Slaughter is a solid looking athlete as a freshman.” ?? I don’t believe he’s a freshman unless he’s a redshirt, right? Sorry but I’m too lazy to check.

J. Slaughter is a true frosh.

 

[Hank Bukowski]

J. Slaughter is a true frosh.

Yep. Just checked it and corrected myself. Thanks!