Vols Fall Practice #2

[Fingers]

Running back Cameron Seldon (shoulder) remained in a red non-contact jersey but went through individual drills.

Offensive tackle Lance Heard (knee) is moving around better and again went through some reps in individual drills, but remains limited.

Freshman wide receiver Mike Matthews, freshman linebacker Jordan Burns and transfer cornerback Jalen McMurray all went through stretch without their helmets as they are banged up.

Offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins was absent from practice, but we’re told he was dealing with a personal matter and it is not an injury situation.

Wide receiver Bru McCoy was a little more active on Thursday, it appeared. He got a couple of routes-on-air reps with a couple of short routes before stepping aside for the rest of the session

Tyre West, who looks the part of a big-time defensive lineman and appears to have had a good summer, booted one several yards on his rep, but Tyree Weathersby looked like a natural snagging his on the move (or maybe he just got a good hop).

Two players whose energy in what can be a mundane drill caught the eye: James Pearce Jr. and Arion Carter. Pearce hollered when he couldn’t quite corral the fumble on the first swoop, but was picked up by graduate assistant Robert Ayers Jr. reminding him to chase greatness. Carter does this drill (and most of them) at 110 miles per hour like it’s his last one.

The first tandem on the left side was Dayne Davis at left guard and Heard at left tackle, followed by Andrej Karic (guard) and Larry Johnson III (tackle) then Shamurad Umarov (guard) and Gage Ginther (tackle). The first tandem on the right side was Jackson Lampley at guard and John Campbell Jr. at tackle followed by Ayden Bussell (guard) and Jesse Perry (tackle), who was getting some pointers from Campbell between reps.

The three centers were Cooper Mays, Vysen Lang and William Satterwhite.

Squirrel White was first up in the slot ahead of Chas Nimrod with Dayton Sneed, Staley and East Tennessee State transfer Tommy Winton III all working there. The order at one outside spot went Chris Brazzell II followed by Kaleb Webb, Trey Weary and Nate Spillman. McCoy led the line on the other side before turning that over to Dont’e Thornton Jr. with Nathan Leacock over there as well.

Tennessee has a pair of really athletic tight ends in Ethan Davis and Holden Staes. The jumbo athletes look right at home running routes and catching passes, and their big hands almost envelope the football as it arrives. Yet it was Miles Kitselman going first through the line for at least one route.

Nimrod was talked up by Heupel after Wednesday’s practice and the staff recognized him for his summer work during the team’s meeting to open camp on Tuesday. He does look to have filled out more of his 6-foot-3 frame, which should help him make more of those contested plays he might not have made last season

White is so subtle and quick in his short-area movements, and Brazzell is a smooth athlete with noticeable body control you can see even on short routes plus the downfield shots like he caught on Wednesday.

p.brown

Several Vols who were dealing with some offseason injuries or who were limited to end the season look to be full-go to begin fall camp. Cooper Mays, JaVontez Spraggins and Keenan Pili have done everything thus far through two days with the media present.

Bru McCoy has been running routes as well. Cam Seldon is in a non-contact red jersey and participating on a limited basis while Lance Heard continues to be somewhat limited with a brace on his left knee. Heard was taking part in some individual on Thursday. Mike Matthews continues to be limited with the expectation of being back in the next couple of days.

Nico Iamaleava was throwing the ball with plenty of ‘zip’ and tight spirals. Jake Merklinger looked good as well.

Two receivers who have stood out to begin fall camp are Chris Brazzell and Chas Nimrod.

While the media was walking off the field, we caught a glimpse of Squirrel White doing a 1-on-1 rep with a defensive back. He made a really nice catch in the back corner of the end zone on the first rep of the drill. Good, good play.

The running backs were catching passes out of the backfield from the quarterbacks to begin the practice day. We wouldn’t call that a strength of the running back room last season, but the backs looked comfortable doing so in practice today. They ran screens, flat routes and seams. Dyan Sampson and Peyton Lewis looked like they’ve had plenty of experience doing this.

Dayne Davis was again at left tackle for that drill. The super senior was also getting some work at left guard as well on Thursday.

Arion Carter was jumping around getting the rest of his guys ready to roll. Coaches have been quick to praise him for his work through the offseason, despite him being a limited participate at times. He’s all the way back now, though.

Tyree Weathersby remains a guy everyone is interested in as he’s done a great job putting on weight over the offseason. Daevin Hobbs is another guy who is moving around really well to begin camp. It’s clear he is playing with confidence to begin his second season on campus.

There’s been some cross training at times, but for the most part, Jourdan Thomas, Boo Carter and Christian Harison have been taking the reps at STAR.

e.cain

Mike Matthews once again went through stretches without his helmet on before not participating in any receiver drills during the open portion of practice. Cam Seldon remained in a red non contact jersey as he continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery.

On the offensive line, Larry Johnson Jr. was back to full go while Javontez Spraggins was not on the practice field for the open portions of practice.

Andrej Karic and Dayne Davis worked together on the left side of the offensive line while Jackson Lampley worked at right guard in Spraggins absence beside John Campbell Jr.

LSU transfer Zalance Heard continued to work with the second team while wearing a leg sleeve and knee brace on his left knee.

Tennessee’s quarterbacks worked on route combinations with running backs out of the backfield in what was a very crisp portion of practice. Cam Seldon did go through work during that portion of practice which was a positive sign.

Another positive sign on the injury note, Bru McCoy was a partial participant in the routes on air portion of practice after not participating at all on Wednesday.

The Vols most worked on underneath routes while the media was at practice so it was unsurprising that Iamaleava and Tennessee’s pass catchers were very sharp. Don’t believe an Iamaleava pass hit the ground while we were out there.

Temple corner transfer Jalen McMurray was not dressed out at practice.

Safety Andre Turrentine appears to be the guy stepping up into that role as he steps into his first season as a full time starter.

At linebacker, I was uncertain whether Kalib Perry was on the practice field Wednesday but I did spot him during Thursday’s practice.

Along the defensive line Tennessee has an embarrassment of riches, particularly at edge rusher. Josh Josephs looks stronger and I’m really impressed by Jordan Ross makeup as a freshman that enrolled in June. Lots of edge rushers arrive at college way to slender to even touch the field. That’s not the case for Ross. Tennessee has so much depth that he may not play much at all, but it won’t be because of his build.

r.schumpert

Bru McCoy looks good, no brace or anything

Nathan Leacock has a brace on his right knee

Mike Matthews was sitting out, no helmet

DeSean Bishop was primarily RB2 behind Sampson

Small sample size, but every Nico throw is on the money

Turrentine is the leader of DBs

Chas Nimrod still working primarily at the slot

r.sylvia

 

[Godfatha]

First

 

[Godfatha]

r.sylvia

"Nico threw the ball"

 

[hardyemt_p]

Third

 

[KeyVol14]

What's up with Mike Matthews?

 

[TAF]

fingered...

 

[CubsFanTN]

My brain read "session" as "season". August 31st needs to get here soon.

 

[Adam2014]

What's up with Mike Matthews?

According to the multiple posts above, he is a little banged up. It’s very common.

 

[Hurley Mooncalf]

Fingers, the practice updates are always appreciated.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

PHANGERSZ THE SEQUEL!

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Don't like that dealing with personal issues thing. Seems to often portend to negative stuff down the road. I hope not because Sprags is a bulwark in our OL.

 

[NighthawkVol]

According to the multiple posts above, he is a little banged up. It’s very common.

It's odd that we have so many guys banged up before practice even starts, though. Namely Matthews, McMurray, Heard, and Burns. How'd they get banged up?

 

[MegaVol615]

As always, preciate you Fingers

 

[WoodsmanVol]

It's odd that we have so many guys banged up before practice even starts, though. Namely Matthews, McMurray, Heard, and Burns. How'd they get banged up?

Stuff happens. Summer fun coupled with risk-taking stupidity. Weight room mishaps. Horsing around. Kids gonna be kids.

 

[JuniorJohnson]

"Turrentine is the leader of DBs" - Who's the favorite for that second safety spot opposite AT?

 

[Sara Clark]

Thanks again for another outstanding job. GBO!!

 

[perico]

Turrentine is the leader of DBs

This guy has been overlooked for a while now. I think he will have a breakout year in the secondary.

 

[American_PitVol]

THANKS FANGERS!!!

 

[PEPPERJAX]

It would be awesome if Bishop is able to carve a role on the team this year. Pulling for the local guy.

 

[Adam2014]

It's odd that we have so many guys banged up before practice even starts, though. Namely Matthews, McMurray, Heard, and Burns. How'd they get banged up?

These kids don't just sit around all summer... They follow a strict conditioning program. Injuries are going to happen when you push your body to the limit like these kids are doing. This is not just something that is happening at Tennessee. You can go read practice notes about any team in the country and find the exact same thing.

 

[VOLfrombama]

It's odd that we have so many guys banged up before practice even starts, though. Namely Matthews, McMurray, Heard, and Burns. How'd they get banged up?

One thing that never gets published is the voluntary offseason workouts. I assume it was during one of those. Just a guess tho

 

[Rifleman]

This is the point of every season where I always convince myself no one can beat us . . . but this year it is true because no one can!!!!! WHOOOOOO!!!!!

 

[VOLfrombama]

Two receivers who have stood out to begin fall camp are Chris Brazzell and Chas Nimrod.

Brazzell plays the game like a smaller-framed player in a grown man’s body, if that makes sense. He displays quick twitch and explosiveness when getting off the line of scrimmage and getting into his breaks. He’s looked good and has a track record of making plays to this point. Nimrod has had one of the better offseasons in the strength and conditioning program. He has transformed his body and put on some good weight and muscle. His versatility will help him as well with he ability to play in the slot or outside.

E. Cain

 

[Oldvoldad]

"Turrentine is the leader of DBs" - Who's the favorite for that second safety spot opposite AT?

I'm hoping Boo Carter is too good to keep off the field and plays the star. That puts Jourdon Thomas at safety.

 

[KeyVol14]

It's odd that we have so many guys banged up before practice even starts, though. Namely Matthews, McMurray, Heard, and Burns. How'd they get banged up?

They will be fine. I think Matthews plays a lot this year