The Vols began their final week of spring football on Tuesday, with eyes towardsSaturday’s DISH Orange & White Game.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee ushered in its final week of spring practices with a two-hour session under sunny skies Tuesday at Haslam Field.

Following the end of Tuesday’s practice session, head coach Butch Jones, quarterback Joshua Dobbs, and running back Jalen Hurd spoke to reporters about the Vols’ mentality as they reach the final stages of the spring season. OnlyThursday’s practice separates UT from the 2016 DISH Orange & White Game, which represents Tennessee’s 15th and final practice of the spring. Jones left the field on Tuesday night with a challenge to his players to maintain their perseverance and maximize their final spring opportunities.

The DISH Orange & White Game is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET and marks the culmination of Tennessee’s spring season. Admission to the Orange & White Game is free to the public and Fan Day, which features an autograph session with Butch Jones and the rest of Team 120, begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday’s Orange & White Game will also be televised nationally on the SEC Network.

Butch Jones | Head Coach | 4th Season

As the Vols push toward the end of spring practice, head coach Butch Jones is now able to evaluate the consistency of the team. With 14 practices in the books, Jones has made perseverance a point of emphasis over this final week and is determining which players can endure the hard work of playing at an elite level.

“You can transform your game in spring football. That’s what it’s all about. But you have to have the grit and perseverance of the deliberate practice to continue to keep that grit. When you get into practice 14, do you still have that hunger and drive that you had with practice one? The veterans and competitors always have that.”

Joshua Dobbs | QB | Senior | Alpharetta, Ga.

With the final week of spring practice underway, quarterback Joshua Dobbs spoke to the media about his improvement since the fall and how changes have helped prepare himself and the offense for next season.

“It’s a continuous improvement. I feel like I have done some good things this spring. There are always different things that you can improve on. We have installed some different things on offense and have seen some different looks with (defensive coordinator Bob) Shoop over the defense. It has been a very productive spring for me and the entire offense.”

Jalen Hurd | RB | Junior | Hendersonville, Tenn.

In just two seasons on Rocky Top, running back Jalen Hurd has amassed 2,187 rushing yards and is just 891 yards short of the school record for rushing yards in a career. VFL Travis Henry (1997-2000) currently holds the record with 3,078 yards. Hurd doesn’t like to compare himself to other running backs, but there are a handful of elite players that he models his game after.

“I watch a lot of guys in the NFL right now. Le’veon Bell, I like the way he cuts. I like his patience. Todd Gurley, I like the way he hits the hole. [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”][Adrian Peterson], obviously I like the way he runs, and Marshawn Lynch. I watch all the great backs in the league, and I try to take bits and pieces from their game and put it into mine.”

Sound Bites

Head coach Butch Jones
(On how he evaluates players for in-game opportunities)

“Everyday they’re putting their football identity on video. Everyone is going to have a roll, some rolls are different than others but a lot of times those rolls are shaped and formed throughout the course of spring practice. We do what’s called identity videos and every one has one. Every day they come out and that’s what they’re doing.That’s what happens when you have competition.”

Quarterback Joshua Dobbs
(On what he likes about Preston Williams)

“He is aggressive. He is going up and owning the ball in the air. Obviously, he could do some things better. We all can. He is taking a little ownership of the room and pushing guys off the field. Him, Juan Jennings and Josh Smith are doing a great jb of that. It is definitely big to see.”

Running back Jalen Hurd
(On former Tennessee running backs that he watches on film)

“I’ve watched a lot of Jamal Lewis. He’s a big, powerful guy. I like the way he ran, but he also had a little shake to him. I’ve met him and talked to him a couple times. He’s a great guy.