Vols Spring Practice #13

[Fingers]

The Vols were down an abundance of players at practice either not wearing full pads or in red non contact jerseys.

Squirrel White, Cameron Seldon and Trey Weary were in red non contact jerseys. Ramel Keyton, Bru McCoy, Jabari Small, Jack Jancek and Ollie Lane.

While he didn’t participate in drills, McCoy went through warmups with his teammates for the first time all spring. Freshman tight end Ethan Davis was out of his red non contact jersey and was full go for the first time since the beginning of spring. Cooper Mays was back fully dressed out though he wasn’t a full participant in drills during the open portion of practice. Lastly, Jaylen Wright was fully dressed out and going full speed after missing Tennessee’s second spring scrimmage last week

It was a crisp day for Nico Iamaleava and particularly Joe Milton III who didn’t have a pass hit the ground while I was watching. Chas Nimrod and Dont’e Thornton both had some nice over the shoulder catches on fade routes.

Warren Burrell and Kwauze Garland were in red non contact jerseys as they have been for much of the spring while early enrollee defensive linemen Nathan Robinson and Daevin Hobbs were not fully dressed out and only went through stretches as has been the case all spring.

Neither De’Shawn Rucker and Brandon Turnage were fully dressed out and just only did stretches before working off to the side during drill portions.

Christian Charles continued his work at safety while redshirt freshman Christian Harrison worked at corner.

Former Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe was at the Vols’ Thursday practice. Cutcliffe now works in an advisory role with the SEC office.

r.schumpert

The quarterbacks were throwing into the end zone from the 10 and 15-yard lines while the media was present. Joe Milton and Dont’e Thornton connected a few times on out routes and looked pretty good doing it – as they are trying to create some chemistry between them. Thornton is so long and explosive in and out of his breaks. He’ll be a weapon for Tennessee this season and he could shine in the red zone.

Chas Nimrod made a couple of good catches on option routes over the middle. Kaleb Webb climbed the ladder and made a nice catch on a high throw from freshman Nico Iamaleava. With so many receivers sidelined at the moment, it’s good at those two are making some plays of note. We continue to be impressed by the pure mechanics of the young quarterback. His footwork is sharp and his release is quick.

Cooper Mays was back working his routine stuff while Addison Nichols continues to stay at center. Freshman Vysen Lang – who has been working center all spring – is a bigger option to snap the ball.

Kalib Perry was misaligned a couple of times while we were out there and was seen doing some up-downs. Tyre West was seen getting some extra encouragement from Rodney Garner this morning and Christian Charles was getting some 1-on-1 work with Tim Banks.

e.cain

Time and matchups will tell how much translates to the fall, but the Vols have three solid pass-catching options at tight end. Jacob Warren and McCallan Castles are big-framed targets who move well and catch the football naturally, and Davis has some natural ability as well though he is still sharpening his details with route nuances.

Also thought Thornton and Webb looked good on their routes and catches. Thornton is a smooth athlete who gets in and out of breaks well and brings a big catch radius thanks to his lanky frame and long arms. Bru McCoy talked earlier this week about Webb growing his confidence and you can see it as he looks more comfortable on the practice field.

At quarterback, Joe Milton III and Nico Iamaleava look the part even on the short stuff. There’s zip on the football, they are tight spirals and they’re accurate over the middle of the field while also showing some touch. Iamaleava did airmail one of his first fade/corner route throws, but got some instant teaching from quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle and came back with some better balls.

It looks like redshirt freshman Addison NIchols might be Tennessee’s first-team left guard heading out of spring practice. Ollie Lane had been there but he’s missed some practice time, and the return of Cooper Mays has allowed Nichols to slide over to left guard, where the Vols obviously have a starting spot to fill. He was working there in front of Texas transfer Andrej Karic and redshirt freshman Mo Clipper Jr. in some combo-blocking work on Thursday morning.

p.brown

 

[aRmo]

First!

 

[WillisWG]

So Lang possible center backup with AN to LG, works for me.

 

[Vol8188]

So Lang possible center backup with AN to LG, works for me.

Think it’s more likely they move Nichols to center if Mays is out and bring Lane in

 

[knoxvol52]

If the defense improves 20% the pressure on Milton and offense will go down and then watch the points roll on scoreboard

 

[Volfan76]

First page.

 

[TENNESSEESLIM]

We might have a sleeping giant in Nimrod. He seems to be all over the practice reports.

 

[Go Fight Win]

we will have a first, second round WR draft pick until kingdom come with JH as head coach

 

[VOLfrombama]

Think it’s more likely they move Nichols to center if Mays is out and bring Lane in

This is exactly what Hubbs and AP have been saying

 

[knoxvol52]

Cannot wait I'm going put a grand on Tennessee making it to playoffs and 2 grand to win it all Go Vols

 

[LittleVol]

We might have a sleeping giant in Nimrod. He seems to be all over the practice reports.

So Thornton was top 50 player when came out of HS. And Oregon did not want him to transfer.
He's a big play guy. But in all honesty don't see a ton of difference between himself and Chaz Nimrod from an athletic standpoint.

Nimrod is 6'3 but is shifty. Just like Leacock. Both of those guys are prototype WRs imo

 

[WillisWG]

Think it’s more likely they move Nichols to center if Mays is out and bring Lane in

I can see that but hey it's spring, Elarbee is still sorting through his options.

Competition this fall will be interesting

 

[LittleVol]

Glad to hear Addison Nichols looking like he'll be one of the best 5. He's really filled out physically.
LT Campbell 6'7 330 (Jr)
LG Nichols 6'5 320 (rsFr)
C Mays 6'3 300 (sr)
RG Spraggins 6'3 320 (Sr)
RT Mincey 6'6 320 (rsJr)

Along with depth.
LG Karic, RG Olline Lane, C Vison Lang, LT Crawford, RT Davis is a starting Oline that Lane Kiffin would have gushed over back in 2009!

 

[butchna]

We might have a sleeping giant in Nimrod. He seems to be all over the practice reports.

Looks smooth and chill in routes, to my limited observation. Will say the same about John Slaughter during his backpedals. Both go at a different speed imo.

 

[butchna]

Glad to hear Addison Nichols looking like he'll be one of the best 5. He's really filled out physically.
LT Johnson 6'7 330 (Jr)
LG Nichols 6'5 320 (rsFr)
C Mays 6'3 300 (sr)
RG Spraggins 6'3 320 (Sr)
RT Mincey 6'6 320 (rsJr)

Along with depth.
LG Karic, RG Olline Lane, C Vison Lang, LT Crawford, RT Davis is a starting Oline that Lane Kiffin would have gushed over back in 2009!

Did you mean CAMPBELL at LT? LJIII has worked exclusively at RT. Also expect a flip platoon from last year of Crawford/Mincey at RT. I’m beginning to anticipate Umarov backs up Campbell on the blindside prepping to take over next season…he’s a monster!

 

[Vol8188]

Glad to hear Addison Nichols looking like he'll be one of the best 5. He's really filled out physically.
LT Johnson 6'7 330 (Jr)
LG Nichols 6'5 320 (rsFr)
C Mays 6'3 300 (sr)
RG Spraggins 6'3 320 (Sr)
RT Mincey 6'6 320 (rsJr)

Along with depth.
LG Karic, RG Olline Lane, C Vison Lang, LT Crawford, RT Davis is a starting Oline that Lane Kiffin would have gushed over back in 2009!

That size mixed with our pace of play and multiple fresh running backs we can throw at the defense, is going to be a beautiful thing for wearing opponents down

 

[NighthawkVol]

Glad to hear Addison Nichols looking like he'll be one of the best 5. He's really filled out physically.
LT Johnson 6'7 330 (Jr)
LG Nichols 6'5 320 (rsFr)
C Mays 6'3 300 (sr)
RG Spraggins 6'3 320 (Sr)
RT Mincey 6'6 320 (rsJr)

Along with depth.
LG Karic, RG Olline Lane, C Vison Lang, LT Crawford, RT Davis is a starting Oline that Lane Kiffin would have gushed over back in 2009!

Yep. I think Nichols jumping ahead of Karic is a good thing. I expected Karic to win that job, but Nichols has obviously developed. That means we have more than one good option there.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

So Thornton was top 50 player when came out of HS. And Oregon did not want him to transfer.
He's a big play guy. But in all honesty don't see a ton of difference between himself and Chaz Nimrod from an athletic standpoint.
Nimrod is 6'3 but is shifty. Just like Leacock. Both of those guys are prototype WRs imo

Phooey. On my part, I see the Vols have in its WR corps, a Handsome Stranger revolver.
Most guns like this have six bullets. Mine has seven.

 

[LittleVol]

Did you mean CAMPBELL at LT? LJIII has worked exclusively at RT. Also expect a flip platoon from last year of Crawford/Mincey at RT. I’m beginning to anticipate Umarov backs up Campbell on the blindside prepping to take over next season…he’s a monster!

Yes! The trasnfer from Miami

 

[barrylee]

Lots of good options on OL, been a while! Also I noticed they mentioned Daevin Hobbs, have to admit I forgot we signed him.

I can’t remember the last time we’ve had such great choices on both lines. Hobbs, Joseph’s, Pearce, Omari and Bailey just to mention a few.

If we get good qb play, we are looking at another stellar year. Can not wait!

 

[butchna]

That size mixed with our pace of play and multiple fresh running backs we can throw at the defense, is going to be a beautiful thing for wearing opponents down

Part of the reason I pay no heed to our residents and the VQ tag team of Hubbs/Price concern over our OL recruiting.

 

[Orangeburst]

I think we could use another Guard for depth, but probably have a couple of young guys. I am not sure if I ever remember us being so deep at just about every position. Maybe it because it has been a long time.

 

[butchna]

I think we could use another Guard for death, but probably have a couple of young guys. I am not sure if I ever remember us being so deep at just about every position. Maybe it because it has been a long time.

 

[joevol33]

Thanks Fingers

 

[Ratvol]

wanted to be first but too dang slow. I'm old, you know...

GO VOLS!!!!