Hey guys - thought I'd list some of my thoughts / observations from this past week. We, of course, were in attendance for Saturday's open practice. Tennessee also welcomed media to practice Tuesday for a few periods and held a closed scrimmage on Thursday. Tennessee running backs coach Jerry Mack, defensive backs coach Willie Martinez and head coach Josh Heupel also spoke with media this week.
The Quarterbacks
It's what everyone wants to know about, right? My thoughts have been pretty consistent with what we've said all along and from what I've seen on this board lately. Hendon Hooker has been solid, consistent and looks the part. He can make all the throws - from what I've seen - he's big bodied, has a big arm and is obviously experienced. As Josh Heupel said Thursday, each quarterback has taken turns repping with the ones throughout spring practice. Heupel was also fairly pleased with his quarterbacks on Thursday following the scrimmage, saying they each made mistakes and have a long way to go, but they each moved the ball with tempo and were sharp in protecting the football and in their decision-making process.
Brian Maurer has without a doubt been the flashiest and this is [again] consistent with him over his time at Tennessee. He's athletic, has the quickest release and can make throws and plays on the run better than the other two. He's a great fit to this scheme, but he is either high or low. He makes great throws and horrible throws. He's been the most inconsistent from what I've seen, but has the highest upside. You saw both on Saturday at the open practice when Maurer started the day cold throwing the football - mixed in some great throws, especially in the red zone - and then finished with some inconsistencies again.
I would peg Harrison Bailey as the third-best quarterback on roster right now. And of course, that can change. He has ability and we saw that over the last few games of last season with his poise and play-extending ability. As he continues to work with Joey Halzle and Josh Heupel, he'll improve in this scheme and as a quarterback.
'The Jimmys'
Jimmy Holiday and Jimmy Calloway. Both have impressed this spring and with Holiday, he's done it in a limited fashion. Tennessee likes what it has in Velus Jones and Jalin Hyatt - now are looking for depth and other options in this passing scheme. Both 'The Jimmys' have speed and run routes very well - especially for being relatively new at the position. Both can be factors in the return game as well. I think Calloway might be having the best spring of anyone right now. If these guys continue to learn and grow, the staff probably has a good feel for the position heading into camp. Also of note: I was really impressed with Cedric Tillman Saturday. Made a few good catches and has a big body that could work well in redzone situations.
The O-Line
It's a work in progress, much like this whole team is. As I mentioned last week, I really feel like the tackles are the variables here. If Calbert, Davis and/or Wright step up and take control of those tackle spots - that could free up Cade Mays to slide inside and play one of the guards. In order to get your best five out there, I think that's the move and that could also have Jerome Carvin playing center. But that's down the road. For now, this is what I know and what I've seen. Cade has worked both sides of the line at guard and tackle. He's primarily been seen repping RT but got some action at LT on Saturday.
Cooper Mays has been up with the ones snapping the ball routinely and Dayne Davis has been consistently repping LT with the first groups. Can he continue to develop? Javontez Spraggins has impressed me and can move. Kingston Harris has been consistently repping at backup guard (moreso on the left side), but for the first time (that I've seen) Jackson Lampley was up with the ones Saturday at RG.
Tennessee is trying to figure out what they have in this group and then find who works well with one another. As a unit, Tennessee's offense dominated the defense in situational football on Saturday and you can't get anything going without the guys up front. The progression of Davis will be important, but midway through spring, the staff must be satisfied with what he's giving them as he continues to get valuable reps.
And the Defense
Saturday wasn't pretty, but it's not game week. There's lots of time to work on fixing mistakes. We all know the biggest issue right now with that unit is the lack of depth. Depth in the secondary is an issue and depth overall at linebacker is critical. Yes, there's guys out who will be back (Jeremy Banks and Roman Harrison) but finding some guys who can play the position is challenging right now.
Saturday, we saw Morven Joseph, Solon Page and Kwauze Garland leading the LB group. It's such a great opportunity for those guys to get better right now so they can maybe find a role on the defense come fall. I feel like Joseph has a lot of talent, he's just young and still raw at the position. Tennessee needs reinforcements at linebacker and in a hurry.
Tennessee's defensive line has options and is coached well. I'm interested to see just how multiple Tim Banks plans to be, because you can do a lot with guys like Tyler Baron and Byron Young. I've really liked what I've seen from Young so far - and Bryson Eason as well. He demolished a down block on Saturday, doing his part in allowing a linebacker behind him to set the edge. The Vols have the luxury of bodies and experience up front. It's just a matter of getting everything out of that unit. Rodney Garner is certainly up for that challenge.
And finally, the defensive backfield. I like what Tennessee has out there initially, but questions remain on depth. It's imperative for guys like Tamarion McDonald and Christian Charles, who have flashed some with INTs over the weekend, to grow this spring. Martinez mentioned this week that guys are moving around and getting a shot at STAR. That was on display Saturday when we saw Jaylen McCollough, Theo Jackson and McDonald all take reps at the position. Tennessee will run with five defensive backs on the field most of the time (my assumption) and will at times throw six out there in certain packages. Creating depth is huge for this unit.
This team has a long way to go, but it appears Heupel and staff are pleased with the effort and progress made to this point. Heupel mentioned that again Sunday night on The Nation. Tennessee looks to finish strong over the next few weeks as we are halfway through spring practice 2021.
The Quarterbacks
It's what everyone wants to know about, right? My thoughts have been pretty consistent with what we've said all along and from what I've seen on this board lately. Hendon Hooker has been solid, consistent and looks the part. He can make all the throws - from what I've seen - he's big bodied, has a big arm and is obviously experienced. As Josh Heupel said Thursday, each quarterback has taken turns repping with the ones throughout spring practice. Heupel was also fairly pleased with his quarterbacks on Thursday following the scrimmage, saying they each made mistakes and have a long way to go, but they each moved the ball with tempo and were sharp in protecting the football and in their decision-making process.
Brian Maurer has without a doubt been the flashiest and this is [again] consistent with him over his time at Tennessee. He's athletic, has the quickest release and can make throws and plays on the run better than the other two. He's a great fit to this scheme, but he is either high or low. He makes great throws and horrible throws. He's been the most inconsistent from what I've seen, but has the highest upside. You saw both on Saturday at the open practice when Maurer started the day cold throwing the football - mixed in some great throws, especially in the red zone - and then finished with some inconsistencies again.
I would peg Harrison Bailey as the third-best quarterback on roster right now. And of course, that can change. He has ability and we saw that over the last few games of last season with his poise and play-extending ability. As he continues to work with Joey Halzle and Josh Heupel, he'll improve in this scheme and as a quarterback.
'The Jimmys'
Jimmy Holiday and Jimmy Calloway. Both have impressed this spring and with Holiday, he's done it in a limited fashion. Tennessee likes what it has in Velus Jones and Jalin Hyatt - now are looking for depth and other options in this passing scheme. Both 'The Jimmys' have speed and run routes very well - especially for being relatively new at the position. Both can be factors in the return game as well. I think Calloway might be having the best spring of anyone right now. If these guys continue to learn and grow, the staff probably has a good feel for the position heading into camp. Also of note: I was really impressed with Cedric Tillman Saturday. Made a few good catches and has a big body that could work well in redzone situations.
The O-Line
It's a work in progress, much like this whole team is. As I mentioned last week, I really feel like the tackles are the variables here. If Calbert, Davis and/or Wright step up and take control of those tackle spots - that could free up Cade Mays to slide inside and play one of the guards. In order to get your best five out there, I think that's the move and that could also have Jerome Carvin playing center. But that's down the road. For now, this is what I know and what I've seen. Cade has worked both sides of the line at guard and tackle. He's primarily been seen repping RT but got some action at LT on Saturday.
Cooper Mays has been up with the ones snapping the ball routinely and Dayne Davis has been consistently repping LT with the first groups. Can he continue to develop? Javontez Spraggins has impressed me and can move. Kingston Harris has been consistently repping at backup guard (moreso on the left side), but for the first time (that I've seen) Jackson Lampley was up with the ones Saturday at RG.
Tennessee is trying to figure out what they have in this group and then find who works well with one another. As a unit, Tennessee's offense dominated the defense in situational football on Saturday and you can't get anything going without the guys up front. The progression of Davis will be important, but midway through spring, the staff must be satisfied with what he's giving them as he continues to get valuable reps.
And the Defense
Saturday wasn't pretty, but it's not game week. There's lots of time to work on fixing mistakes. We all know the biggest issue right now with that unit is the lack of depth. Depth in the secondary is an issue and depth overall at linebacker is critical. Yes, there's guys out who will be back (Jeremy Banks and Roman Harrison) but finding some guys who can play the position is challenging right now.
Saturday, we saw Morven Joseph, Solon Page and Kwauze Garland leading the LB group. It's such a great opportunity for those guys to get better right now so they can maybe find a role on the defense come fall. I feel like Joseph has a lot of talent, he's just young and still raw at the position. Tennessee needs reinforcements at linebacker and in a hurry.
Tennessee's defensive line has options and is coached well. I'm interested to see just how multiple Tim Banks plans to be, because you can do a lot with guys like Tyler Baron and Byron Young. I've really liked what I've seen from Young so far - and Bryson Eason as well. He demolished a down block on Saturday, doing his part in allowing a linebacker behind him to set the edge. The Vols have the luxury of bodies and experience up front. It's just a matter of getting everything out of that unit. Rodney Garner is certainly up for that challenge.
And finally, the defensive backfield. I like what Tennessee has out there initially, but questions remain on depth. It's imperative for guys like Tamarion McDonald and Christian Charles, who have flashed some with INTs over the weekend, to grow this spring. Martinez mentioned this week that guys are moving around and getting a shot at STAR. That was on display Saturday when we saw Jaylen McCollough, Theo Jackson and McDonald all take reps at the position. Tennessee will run with five defensive backs on the field most of the time (my assumption) and will at times throw six out there in certain packages. Creating depth is huge for this unit.
This team has a long way to go, but it appears Heupel and staff are pleased with the effort and progress made to this point. Heupel mentioned that again Sunday night on The Nation. Tennessee looks to finish strong over the next few weeks as we are halfway through spring practice 2021.
