Vol Report: Next Man Up

A rash of injuries has not hindered the focus of Team 120 through spring practice No. 5.

March 24, 2016

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With rain clouds covering the Knoxville area, Tennessee Football moved indoors for its fifth practice of the spring on Wednesday. The Vols, donning full pads, went to work for roughly two hours in the friendly confines of the Anderson Training Center.

While much of the narrative arising out of Tennessee’s spring camp has been concerned with injuries — a dozen Vols are currently sidelined with ailments — UT’s assistant coaches insist that the slimmed roster has done little to affect the productivity of practice. A ‘next man up’ mentality has led to maximized reps for the less experienced Vols while players unable to practice have taken up roles as surrogate coaches, helping the younger players focus on the small details of success.

Tennessee wraps up its second week of spring ball with a Saturday practice at Neyland Stadium. A total of 11 practices remain on the docket for the Vols, including the DISH Orange & White Game, scheduled for April 16 at 2 p.m. ET at Neyland Stadium. The Orange & White Game will be televised on the SEC Network.

 

MIKE DeBORD

Through five practices, Mike DeBord has surveyed his offense feature plenty of rotation on the offensive line. Similar to the the 2015 season, DeBord has shuffled things up front due injuries and position changes this spring, but hopes the added repetitions will lead to increased consistency and a greater depth come fall.

“I’ve been around offensive linemen just about my entire career in some way or another. That’s a position that one false step, or wrong shoulder down, or wrong angle, then they’re in trouble. Out on the perimeter you can get by with some things every now and then, but in there you’re playing in a telephone booth and you have to get everything right. It’s just the consistency of it … It’s called ‘next man up.’ Last year we had to rotate guys around and all that stuff. So you never know what’s going to happen and guys have to be ready. Whoever is out there, we’re going to work with them and continue to get better.”

BOB SHOOP

Despite recent injuries that will keep some players on the defensive side out of spring practice, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop stressed the importance of the veterans taking on more of a coach’s role while allowing the younger players to gain valuable experience and repetitions.

“The thing that is really neat if you watch it–I use the term ‘pay it forward’–is I watch Derek Barnett instruct the young defensive linemen. I watch Jaylen Reeves-Maybin instruct the young linebackers out there. Even though he isn’t hurt, I watch Cameron Sutton work with the young defensive backs. Evan Berry, who is hurt right now, helps the young safeties. That is when you know you have yourself a culture that is positive.”

STEVE STRIPLING

With a string of injuries along the defensive line, younger players have had an opportunity to step up and gain valuable reps this spring. Associate head coach/defensive line coach Steve Stripling is using the strengths of the injured upperclassmen to help coach and lead them through the spring.

“It’s compounding because they’re young. They haven’t experienced it yet. There’s certain young men like [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Derek] Barnett and [Kyle] Phillips that had that built in when they got here. They showed up Day One. It’s great that they’re behind them and they’re talking to them and encouraging them. I think the older guys, the ones that are out, have done a great job of coaching. You know, watching the footwork, watching the hand placement, those kind of things. It’s one thing if Coach Ollie or myself are yelling at them, but it’s different if Derek or one of the guys is talking to them about it. It’s good stuff.”

DON MAHONEY

While Team 120 is only five practices into the spring session, offensive line coach Don Mahoney continues to see his group of players showing up ready to compete in every practice. The offensive line is also beginning to erase issues with a lack of depth and versatility that existed in years past.

“There are absolutely no off days,” Mahoney said. “You better bring it every day, or you will get passed up. That is a good place to be in the program. That is where you want to be. You want to consistently have that on guys’ minds that they could be passed up by other guys who come to work every day.”

ZACH AZZANNI

Passing game coordinator Zach Azzanni discussed the progress of the wide receivers so far this spring. For Azzanni, each player is working to establish his role through a simple focus on getting better each day. Leaders emerging among the receivers are Preston Williams and Jauan Jennings, who continue to progress. Williams’ growth over the year stands out on the field.

“There’s been a ton of growth. You look at Preston and he didn’t even practice last year during training camp. I think he practiced two days before the Bowling Green game and he actually played. Then, he was out for five weeks. So, he’s never really had this opportunity to really get in there and practice. He’s worked hard this off-season, and he’s coming along. Everyday he’s coming along. I see some steps in the right direction by him helping guys line up, going harder, and all those things are progress. We’re just talking about getting a little bit better everyday.”

 

SOUND BITES

Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord
(On the state of the offense coming back from spring break)

“[It was] a little sluggish [on Tuesday] and right now we’re just inconsistent. Offense is all about execution — I know defense is, too — but it takes time sometimes with offenses. I’ve talked to these guys. Everyday we just want to get better. Everyday. By the end we’ll be where we need to be. It’s the same thing in training camp. It’s the same thing through a season. You want to continue to improve through the season. It’s part of the mindset.”

Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop
(On the status of defense through five spring practices)

“I think all has been pretty good. I would say that we have been on a steady climb. I am really excited to go out there and watch them Saturday and watch them play without the coaches standing behind them. More live situations, more scrimmage. We have installed piece by piece.”

Defensive line coach Steve Stripling
(On how far Darrell Taylor has come since he first got on campus)

“You wouldn’t even recognize him. He walks in the room, he looks like a totally different person. His numbers are unbelievable. He’s put on so much weight, and his energy level continues to just be outstanding. He’s really developed.”

Offensive line coach Don Mahoney
(On players who are being cross-trained on the line)

“Dylan Wiesman is one for sure, going from a guard to a center, that can handle that. Brett Kendrick can go from tackle to guard to center. I told him the other day in practice that he can play any position. We now have competition at every position from center to guard to tackle. Those are two guys that we have moved around a little bit.”

Wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni
(On awaiting the arrival of the newest wideouts this summer)

“I coach them by telling them when those guys come in, we are going to help them get better because we need them right now. We don’t have a lot of bodies. We are short on numbers. So, those guys have to come in and they have to play. We need them to play and alleviate some of our snaps.