Tennessee was back on Haslam Field for the ninth time this spring, the first of three-consecutive practice days, which includes Saturday’s open scrimmage for the media.
Right off the bat, here’s some notes on who was there and who was not.
Running back Jabari Small was not out there while media was present. This isn’t a shocker as he hasn’t been seen by media since dating back to last week. For the first time this spring, Cedric Tillman was not practice while the media was on hand.
Offensive tackle Dayne Davis was not dressed out in full pads and not going through drills Thursday morning. He was seen in a walking boot on his left ankle. RJ Perry was second in line, behind Darnell Wright, at right tackle today. Princeton Fant was back at practice in full pads but was repping a yellow non-contact jersey. This is the first time we’ve seen Fant in a practice setting since about the middle of last week.
Doneiko Slaughter is still not practicing.
Offensively, individual session began with group work for the quarterbacks and pass catchers. They were working on the goal line going in – maybe from about the five yard line. I personally thought it was kind of a sloppy session as several balls hit the ground.
Hyatt/Calloway/Merrill/White worked out of the slots, along with the tight ends. Julian Nixon continues to look more comfortable at tight end, especially in pass-catching settings. The outside receivers looked even more bleak than normal without Tillman. Holiday/Webb/Frerking worked one half of the field while Keyton/Nimrod/Miller worked the other.
The offensive line worked explosion and drive blocking in pairs, then split off into half line like normal. Gerald Mincey was back again working at left tackle. He was also seen on Monday after missing Saturday’s scrimmage. It looks like JaVontez Spraggins and Darnell Wright are building some chemistry on the right side, but mostly everything looks good outside of 11-on-11.
Defensively, it was all lot of the same things we have been seeing. The defensive line started on the bags before working under the cage. They then took turns exploding off the ground and striking the sled with their hands cuffed, a technique used to keep your hand placement inside and not to have your elbows flaring.
Rodney Garner was getting after DJ Terry for being lazy with his hands.
The linebackers paired off into groups to work stance and steps, coupled with reads under the cage. The groups continue to look like this: Banks/Beasley, Mitchell (yellow jersey)/Solon Page, Herring/Garland. Willis also mixed in up there.
Willie Martinez and Tim Banks coached up the defensive backs – who were there. They worked on their press coverage up on receivers which involved shooting their hands and flipping their hips to run with the wideouts. They then worked open field tackling, something both Jaylen McCollough and Tyler Flowers both said was an area they all need work in.
As far as the recruits who were at practice today – a little light compared to other practice days this spring. Four-star wide receiver and top-200 prospect Malik Elzy was a part of a group of about five kids from the Chicago area. There was also about 4-5 kids here from South Atlanta area.
Kelsey Pope will meet with us later this morning and be followed by Hendon Hooker, Jacob Warren, Jalin Hyatt and Ramel Keyton.
Right off the bat, here’s some notes on who was there and who was not.
Running back Jabari Small was not out there while media was present. This isn’t a shocker as he hasn’t been seen by media since dating back to last week. For the first time this spring, Cedric Tillman was not practice while the media was on hand.
Offensive tackle Dayne Davis was not dressed out in full pads and not going through drills Thursday morning. He was seen in a walking boot on his left ankle. RJ Perry was second in line, behind Darnell Wright, at right tackle today. Princeton Fant was back at practice in full pads but was repping a yellow non-contact jersey. This is the first time we’ve seen Fant in a practice setting since about the middle of last week.
Doneiko Slaughter is still not practicing.
Offensively, individual session began with group work for the quarterbacks and pass catchers. They were working on the goal line going in – maybe from about the five yard line. I personally thought it was kind of a sloppy session as several balls hit the ground.
Hyatt/Calloway/Merrill/White worked out of the slots, along with the tight ends. Julian Nixon continues to look more comfortable at tight end, especially in pass-catching settings. The outside receivers looked even more bleak than normal without Tillman. Holiday/Webb/Frerking worked one half of the field while Keyton/Nimrod/Miller worked the other.
The offensive line worked explosion and drive blocking in pairs, then split off into half line like normal. Gerald Mincey was back again working at left tackle. He was also seen on Monday after missing Saturday’s scrimmage. It looks like JaVontez Spraggins and Darnell Wright are building some chemistry on the right side, but mostly everything looks good outside of 11-on-11.
Defensively, it was all lot of the same things we have been seeing. The defensive line started on the bags before working under the cage. They then took turns exploding off the ground and striking the sled with their hands cuffed, a technique used to keep your hand placement inside and not to have your elbows flaring.
Rodney Garner was getting after DJ Terry for being lazy with his hands.
The linebackers paired off into groups to work stance and steps, coupled with reads under the cage. The groups continue to look like this: Banks/Beasley, Mitchell (yellow jersey)/Solon Page, Herring/Garland. Willis also mixed in up there.
Willie Martinez and Tim Banks coached up the defensive backs – who were there. They worked on their press coverage up on receivers which involved shooting their hands and flipping their hips to run with the wideouts. They then worked open field tackling, something both Jaylen McCollough and Tyler Flowers both said was an area they all need work in.
As far as the recruits who were at practice today – a little light compared to other practice days this spring. Four-star wide receiver and top-200 prospect Malik Elzy was a part of a group of about five kids from the Chicago area. There was also about 4-5 kids here from South Atlanta area.
Kelsey Pope will meet with us later this morning and be followed by Hendon Hooker, Jacob Warren, Jalin Hyatt and Ramel Keyton.
