Tennessee got its third week of spring practice underway at Haslam Field.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee opened its third week of spring practice on Tuesday with a two-hour session in full pads at Haslam Field. It was the Vols’ seventh practice of the spring as the Vols near the halfway point of the 15-practice season.
Tuesday also marked the spring debut of the Smokey Grey helmets out on the practice field as members of the offensive unit, winners of Saturday’s scrimmage at Neyland Stadium, donned the popular lids as a memento of their victory.
With six practices now in the books, a total of eight practices remain on the docket for the Vols. The DISH Orange & White Game represents Tennessee’s final practice of the spring, scheduled for April 16 at 2 p.m. ET at Neyland Stadium. Admission to the Orange & White Game is free to the public, but it will also be televised nationally on the SEC Network.
Butch Jones | Head Coach | 4th Season
With Tennessee reaching the midway point of spring practice, head coach Butch Jones set out to remind Team 120 of the limited nature of spring football. With only 15 spring practices afforded them and competitions for spots up and down the depth chart very much in full swing, Jones warned that his Vols had no time for any incidents of mid-camp complacency.
“Sometimes you become too casual in spring football. When you walk through the doors of the Anderson Training Center, it’s all about mental effort, mental intensity, and being at your best each and every day. There’s a standard and an expectation. These players have done a good job. They’ll bounce back. They’ll be ready for meetings and they’ll be ready to go on Thursday. Our leadership needs to step up. They understand the standard and the expectation.”
Dobbs Honored In Atlanta
University of Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs will be honored with the Amateur “Peach of an Athlete” Role Model Award Wednesday night at the 32nd Annual Peach of an Athlete (POA) Role Model Banquet at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
“He embodies what a student-athlete is,” said Butch Jones Tuesday. “I know (his parents) Stephanie and Robert have done such a tremendous job of raising him. He embodies everything that we stand for.”
Dobbs, a native of Alpharetta, Georgia, will be honored alongside University of Georgia women’s golfer Sylvie Brick, former professional basketball player Dikembe Mutombo and Mike Plant, Executive Vice President of the Atlanta Braves.
An aerospace engineer, Dobbs was named to the 2015 SEC Academic Honor Roll. He was also awarded the Peyton Manning Leadership Award at the 2015 Orange & White game.
The POA Banquet honors athletes, both amateur and professional, who exemplify good character and athletic achievement.
Dobbs started all 13 games for the Vols last season, throwing for 2,291 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Vols Host Pro Day on Wednesday
Tennessee will host its annual Pro Day on Wednesday at the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex indoor field and weight room. Seventeen former Vols will showcase their skills for professional scouts and talent evaluators starting at 8:30 a.m. ET in the football weight room.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me so I’m going to take full advantage,” said VFL and former offensive lineman Kyler Kerbyson. “I’m doing everything I can. I’m just going to go out and compete. I think that’s key to having success.”
Former Vols scheduled to participate in 2016 Pro Day include Ralph David Abernathy IV, Max Arnold, Alex Ellis, Matt Giampapa, Jacob Gilliam, Alton “Pig” Howard, Marcus Jackson, Johnathon Johnson, Kerbyson, Curt Maggitt, LaDarrell McNeil, Marquez North, Von Pearson, Brian Randolph, Trevarris Saulsberry, Chris Weatherd and Owen Williams.
“I’m working on my speed, my footwork, all of that stuff,” added Randolph ahead ofWednesday’s workout. “I’m just trying to stay in football shape.”