Tennessee was back at it Wednesday morning for practice No. 5 of the spring period. There were several more eyes viewing the work out – compared to normal – as a couple of NFL scouts arrived early to take in the practice ahead of UT’s Pro Day this afternoon.
It was your normal run-of-the-mill three periods of viewing for the media, starting in the indoor facility for stretches. The team then broke out to Haslam field for individual work, it’s third-straight practice with the pads on.
The running backs started things off by running through the Gauntlet – or the power blaster machine for you old heads. Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright and company were simulating outside zone before running through. I didn’t see any fumbles from the backs, but Jerry Mack was persistent it telling his group to get lower.
The linebackers started off under the cage once again – working on stance and steps. They would then take a read from one of the coaches and react by stepping with the proper foot. During the simulation, head coach Josh Heupel was on hand to watch. Freshman Elijah Herring was called back once during the drill as Brian Jean-Mary preached perfection.
Later on, the linebacker split into their MIKEs and WILLs groups and hit the tackling sled for explosion, extension and rip reputations. All of that is critical for linebacker play and is how Tennessee starts every single practice. Coaches have mentioned countless times that the team must master the basics.
Towards the end of our time out there, the running backs linked up with the linebackers for pass protect / pass rush drills again. They made us leave before I could take anything away from that drill.
The defensive line hit the bags first thing and then took them under the cage. Rodney Garner was emphasizing the ability to change directions, so his guys were doing just that on the bags and under the cage. A lot of the loops, twists and turns the defensive line runs while stunting requires lateral movement.
Tamarion McDonald continues to work at safety alongside Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough. Christian Charles is still a work-in-progress learning the cornerback position but looks healthy and quick on his feet. I did not see Doneiko Slaughter out there today. Willie Martinez had the group working route recognition in walk-thru speed.
I didn’t really have the opportunity to watch any of the receivers or quarterbacks today as I was on the other side of the field. Josh Heupel did move from linebackers to quarterbacks (where he normally is) to instruct alongside Joey Halzle.
The offensive line did group work for most of the time we were out there. Right guards and right tackles were together while left guards and left tackles repped together. The pairings would hit the two-man sled while the other side walked-thru combo, fold and scoop blocks.
We continue to see the Darnell Wright / Dayne Davis look at right tackle and JJ Crawford / Gerald Mincey grouping at left tackle. Freshman Addison Nichols is still working with the centers.
As far as attendance, LaTrell Bumphus continues to not be at practice while the media is present. I tried to get it out of Rodney Garner the other day, but the assistants typically leave that to the head coach. We will ask Josh Heupel on Saturday what the deal is there.
Elsewhere, I did not see Doneiko Slaughter out there today. Doesn’t mean he’s hurt. Maybe he was inside. Maybe he was at class. But this was the first time in five practices he was not out there while the media was on hand.
The noteworthy prospects here today are 2023 OL Brycen Sanders and 2023 DE Daevin Hobbs of Concord, N.C. Sanders put the Vols in his ‘Final Four’ last night and we will likely run a story on that sometime today. Joey Halzl and Glen Elarbee will meet with the media around 11:20 with Jerome Carvin, JaVontez Spraggins and Addison Nichols set to speak afterwards.
It was your normal run-of-the-mill three periods of viewing for the media, starting in the indoor facility for stretches. The team then broke out to Haslam field for individual work, it’s third-straight practice with the pads on.
The running backs started things off by running through the Gauntlet – or the power blaster machine for you old heads. Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright and company were simulating outside zone before running through. I didn’t see any fumbles from the backs, but Jerry Mack was persistent it telling his group to get lower.
The linebackers started off under the cage once again – working on stance and steps. They would then take a read from one of the coaches and react by stepping with the proper foot. During the simulation, head coach Josh Heupel was on hand to watch. Freshman Elijah Herring was called back once during the drill as Brian Jean-Mary preached perfection.
Later on, the linebacker split into their MIKEs and WILLs groups and hit the tackling sled for explosion, extension and rip reputations. All of that is critical for linebacker play and is how Tennessee starts every single practice. Coaches have mentioned countless times that the team must master the basics.
Towards the end of our time out there, the running backs linked up with the linebackers for pass protect / pass rush drills again. They made us leave before I could take anything away from that drill.
The defensive line hit the bags first thing and then took them under the cage. Rodney Garner was emphasizing the ability to change directions, so his guys were doing just that on the bags and under the cage. A lot of the loops, twists and turns the defensive line runs while stunting requires lateral movement.
Tamarion McDonald continues to work at safety alongside Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough. Christian Charles is still a work-in-progress learning the cornerback position but looks healthy and quick on his feet. I did not see Doneiko Slaughter out there today. Willie Martinez had the group working route recognition in walk-thru speed.
I didn’t really have the opportunity to watch any of the receivers or quarterbacks today as I was on the other side of the field. Josh Heupel did move from linebackers to quarterbacks (where he normally is) to instruct alongside Joey Halzle.
The offensive line did group work for most of the time we were out there. Right guards and right tackles were together while left guards and left tackles repped together. The pairings would hit the two-man sled while the other side walked-thru combo, fold and scoop blocks.
We continue to see the Darnell Wright / Dayne Davis look at right tackle and JJ Crawford / Gerald Mincey grouping at left tackle. Freshman Addison Nichols is still working with the centers.
As far as attendance, LaTrell Bumphus continues to not be at practice while the media is present. I tried to get it out of Rodney Garner the other day, but the assistants typically leave that to the head coach. We will ask Josh Heupel on Saturday what the deal is there.
Elsewhere, I did not see Doneiko Slaughter out there today. Doesn’t mean he’s hurt. Maybe he was inside. Maybe he was at class. But this was the first time in five practices he was not out there while the media was on hand.
The noteworthy prospects here today are 2023 OL Brycen Sanders and 2023 DE Daevin Hobbs of Concord, N.C. Sanders put the Vols in his ‘Final Four’ last night and we will likely run a story on that sometime today. Joey Halzl and Glen Elarbee will meet with the media around 11:20 with Jerome Carvin, JaVontez Spraggins and Addison Nichols set to speak afterwards.
