From me and @Ben_McKee
Tennessee kicked off camp with a Wednesday morning practice in helmets. A couple of players were no-shows and we hope to get more context with Heupel at 11:20. Those players were Princeton Fant, Trinity Bell and Kamal Hadden.
Other notable observations, freshman Kaemen Marley was at wide receiver this morning, Roman Harrison was strictly at OLB and Morven Jospeh & William Mohan were at inside backer. Cade Mays was at right tackle.
Wideout JaVonta Payton was limited some, but did jump in a few reps while media was present. Walker Merrill, who was banged up in spring, was dressed and active – but sported a bulky brace on his left knee.
Defensively, it was turnover circuits to get things started with a lot of circle, scoop & score and punch & drive drills from all three groups. From there, it shifted to individual where linebackers focused on stance and steps, as well as collisioning wide outs. The secondary worked back pedaling and press while the defensive line worked bags under the schute.
As far as ‘starters’ today at practice, of course there are none – but I picked up on a theme of guys who were here in spring were at the had of the pack. In drills such as 11-on-11 and inside run here’s what the groupings looked like:
DL: Ja’Quain Blakely / Caleb Tremblay
Omari Thomas / Kurott Garland
Matthew Butler / LaTrell Bumphus
Tyler Baron / Byron Young (OLB)
LBs: Kwauze Garland / Solon Page
Juwan Mitchell / Jeremy Banks
CBs: Alontae Taylor / Warren Burrell
Kenneth George / Tyus Fields
Brandon Turnage
Safeties: Flowers & McCollough
Christian Charles / Tamarion McDonald
STAR: Theo Jckson
Donieko Slaughter
LT: Dayne Davis / Darnell Wright
LG: Jerome Carvin
C: Cooper Mays
RG: Javontez Spraggins
RT: Cade Mays / Calbert
And the quarterbacks: No true ‘order’ today, but it looked like it was Hendon Hooker’s day to be with the ones. Overall, it was a solid day for the QBs when media was present. Harrison Bailey looks to have improved on some mechanical issues he displayed in spring camp and the sophomore threw probably the best ball of the day in what was a deep go down the numbers.
Looked like Hendon Hooker was consistent throwing the ball for the most part. Joe Milton raised a lot of eyebrows on the day – and not just because of his physical make up. The newcomer displayed great mechanics, the quickest release and a really strong arm. If anything, he needs to develop more touch on the football compared to the fastballs thrown on slant routes or comebacks. Might have been too 'hyped' for day one, but impressive nonetheless.
Overall, good start while we were out there. Coaches were very motivating (especially Rodney Garner) but seemed to be pleased with the effort. A lot of mistakes, but it’s day one.
Tennessee kicked off camp with a Wednesday morning practice in helmets. A couple of players were no-shows and we hope to get more context with Heupel at 11:20. Those players were Princeton Fant, Trinity Bell and Kamal Hadden.
Other notable observations, freshman Kaemen Marley was at wide receiver this morning, Roman Harrison was strictly at OLB and Morven Jospeh & William Mohan were at inside backer. Cade Mays was at right tackle.
Wideout JaVonta Payton was limited some, but did jump in a few reps while media was present. Walker Merrill, who was banged up in spring, was dressed and active – but sported a bulky brace on his left knee.
Defensively, it was turnover circuits to get things started with a lot of circle, scoop & score and punch & drive drills from all three groups. From there, it shifted to individual where linebackers focused on stance and steps, as well as collisioning wide outs. The secondary worked back pedaling and press while the defensive line worked bags under the schute.
As far as ‘starters’ today at practice, of course there are none – but I picked up on a theme of guys who were here in spring were at the had of the pack. In drills such as 11-on-11 and inside run here’s what the groupings looked like:
DL: Ja’Quain Blakely / Caleb Tremblay
Omari Thomas / Kurott Garland
Matthew Butler / LaTrell Bumphus
Tyler Baron / Byron Young (OLB)
LBs: Kwauze Garland / Solon Page
Juwan Mitchell / Jeremy Banks
CBs: Alontae Taylor / Warren Burrell
Kenneth George / Tyus Fields
Brandon Turnage
Safeties: Flowers & McCollough
Christian Charles / Tamarion McDonald
STAR: Theo Jckson
Donieko Slaughter
LT: Dayne Davis / Darnell Wright
LG: Jerome Carvin
C: Cooper Mays
RG: Javontez Spraggins
RT: Cade Mays / Calbert
- All running backs were present with Jabari Small leading the way
- Jacob Warren led the way at tight end with Fant not out there. Miles Campbell was behind him
- First three WRs up were Velus, Jimmy Calloway and Cedric Tillman. Next two were Hyatt, Jimmy Holliday
And the quarterbacks: No true ‘order’ today, but it looked like it was Hendon Hooker’s day to be with the ones. Overall, it was a solid day for the QBs when media was present. Harrison Bailey looks to have improved on some mechanical issues he displayed in spring camp and the sophomore threw probably the best ball of the day in what was a deep go down the numbers.
Looked like Hendon Hooker was consistent throwing the ball for the most part. Joe Milton raised a lot of eyebrows on the day – and not just because of his physical make up. The newcomer displayed great mechanics, the quickest release and a really strong arm. If anything, he needs to develop more touch on the football compared to the fastballs thrown on slant routes or comebacks. Might have been too 'hyped' for day one, but impressive nonetheless.
Overall, good start while we were out there. Coaches were very motivating (especially Rodney Garner) but seemed to be pleased with the effort. A lot of mistakes, but it’s day one.
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