The Vols, after strong wind gusts blew down one of the portable goalposts on Haslam Field, worked inside Thursday for their 11th of 15 spring sessions.And much like a Saturday session, Tennessee worked in front of a large crowd. This time it was more than 200 high school coaches from multiple states, who are in town for Butch Jones' annual coaches clinic, which features keynote speaker Archie Manning.
JOHN'S TAKES:
Tennessee, which it often has done under Butch Jones for the coaching clinic practices, quickly shifted into some spirited team 11-on-11 competitive plays and situations.The Vols' offense had some impressive first-down plays that converted situational third downs, including a tackle-breaking stout run up the middle by John Kelly. Jalen Hurd also had a solid, leg-churning first-down run as well. Jauan Jennings didn't score a touchdown in goal-line pass skeleton, but he did make a tough, in-traffic catch --- after which he promptly was decked by Cam Sutton.The defense did get a couple of "stops" when it forced an incomplete pass, strung out a run that saw Micah Abernathy make a strong tackle and then also when Josh Dobbs was ruled touched down.
Jeff George had a great touchdown catch from Quinten Dormady, a play in which George adjusted to the ball and leaped high over Darrell Miller to snag the score in the right corner of the end zone.Josh Smith, Jason Croom and Preston Williams continued strong springs. Rashaan Gaulden had a tackle on kickoff return and also was very active coming up from the safety spot. The Vols heavily worked kickoff coverage, with starters ranging early along the following grouping: Colton Jumper, Jakob Johnson, Gaulden, Gavin Bryant, Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley, Todd Kelly Jr., Cortez McDowell, John Kelly, Aaron Medley and Jennings.Absent yet again from practice was cornerback Justin Martin, who had been competing for a starting spot but has missed the last three practices with what has previously been termed the flu.The Vols now have between 12-14 scholarship players out for the entirety of spring or the duration of spring.
PAUL'S TAKES:
Tennessee went right into some team work after its stretch period on Thursday. The Vols did some short yardage work and both the offense and defense had nice moments, but the offense got some nice push and John Kelly was able to wiggle for several yards to convert several first downs.
Also, Quinten Dormady made some nice throws to Vincent Perry and Eli Wolf in different settings as the offense went against the defense in a 7-on-7 drill. Jeff George had a nice catch from Dormady as well in the corner of the end zone.
I spent a lot of time watching the passing game today and I still like what they are getting out of Preston Williams and Josh Smith and Perry has continued to play better and better.
Finally, I really like how the coaches are exploring using the tight ends right now. They have several different options that have several different skill sets that Tennessee can utilize.
We saw some kickoff coverage as well and Rashaan Gaulden made his presence felt in what should have been a thud period.
Also, Cam Sutton blew up Jauan Jennings on a nice play across the middle.
AUSTIN'S TAKES:
Another day of practice brought another solid day of practice for John Kelly. On one play, the Michigan native sidestepped Kahlil McKenzie, who had busted through at the line, and Kelly was able to make him miss and pick up 7-8 yards.
Also on offense, another big day for Vincent Perry who continues to impress in the slot. Throwing him some of those passes was Quinten Dormady, who had his most solid day this spring. Jeff George made a great catch going up and over Darrell Miller for a touchdown.
On the flip side, Emmanuel Moseley had some nice pass breakups with one of them being against Jauan Jennings.
Outside of that, more of the same names making big plays.
BRENT'S TAKES:
Wind forced the Vols indoors, but didn't dampen the spirits or the production of the Vols. We saw a good bit passing game work from one on one's to seven on seven work. Quarterback Quinten Dormady threw the ball as well as we have seen him throw it the spring.
His accuracy was good. Vincent Perry had a really nice start to the day. I like Perry and he's going to help this football team. I like his toughness and ability. He can help on special teams and could be a help in the slot as well. He continues to look like he is getting healthier.
We also saw a nice catch from Jeff George where he high pointed the ball in the endzone. Emmanuel Moseley had a couple of nice pass break ups as well as over 100 high school coaches looked on as the Vols coaching clinic gets underway featuring Archie Manning as the headliner.
Defensively the safeties got some extra open field tackling work while the defensive front worked on leverage and hand techniques. Rashaan Gaulden continues to play fast in my opinion. Really fast.
For the running backs it was open field where with running backs coach Robert Gillespie swinging a pad at the running backs feet. Jalen Hurd's biggest personal goal this spring has to be better in the open field and not be able to be brought down as easily by arm tackles in the open field.
JOHN'S TAKES:
Tennessee, which it often has done under Butch Jones for the coaching clinic practices, quickly shifted into some spirited team 11-on-11 competitive plays and situations.The Vols' offense had some impressive first-down plays that converted situational third downs, including a tackle-breaking stout run up the middle by John Kelly. Jalen Hurd also had a solid, leg-churning first-down run as well. Jauan Jennings didn't score a touchdown in goal-line pass skeleton, but he did make a tough, in-traffic catch --- after which he promptly was decked by Cam Sutton.The defense did get a couple of "stops" when it forced an incomplete pass, strung out a run that saw Micah Abernathy make a strong tackle and then also when Josh Dobbs was ruled touched down.
Jeff George had a great touchdown catch from Quinten Dormady, a play in which George adjusted to the ball and leaped high over Darrell Miller to snag the score in the right corner of the end zone.Josh Smith, Jason Croom and Preston Williams continued strong springs. Rashaan Gaulden had a tackle on kickoff return and also was very active coming up from the safety spot. The Vols heavily worked kickoff coverage, with starters ranging early along the following grouping: Colton Jumper, Jakob Johnson, Gaulden, Gavin Bryant, Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley, Todd Kelly Jr., Cortez McDowell, John Kelly, Aaron Medley and Jennings.Absent yet again from practice was cornerback Justin Martin, who had been competing for a starting spot but has missed the last three practices with what has previously been termed the flu.The Vols now have between 12-14 scholarship players out for the entirety of spring or the duration of spring.
PAUL'S TAKES:
Tennessee went right into some team work after its stretch period on Thursday. The Vols did some short yardage work and both the offense and defense had nice moments, but the offense got some nice push and John Kelly was able to wiggle for several yards to convert several first downs.
Also, Quinten Dormady made some nice throws to Vincent Perry and Eli Wolf in different settings as the offense went against the defense in a 7-on-7 drill. Jeff George had a nice catch from Dormady as well in the corner of the end zone.
I spent a lot of time watching the passing game today and I still like what they are getting out of Preston Williams and Josh Smith and Perry has continued to play better and better.
Finally, I really like how the coaches are exploring using the tight ends right now. They have several different options that have several different skill sets that Tennessee can utilize.
We saw some kickoff coverage as well and Rashaan Gaulden made his presence felt in what should have been a thud period.
Also, Cam Sutton blew up Jauan Jennings on a nice play across the middle.
AUSTIN'S TAKES:
Another day of practice brought another solid day of practice for John Kelly. On one play, the Michigan native sidestepped Kahlil McKenzie, who had busted through at the line, and Kelly was able to make him miss and pick up 7-8 yards.
Also on offense, another big day for Vincent Perry who continues to impress in the slot. Throwing him some of those passes was Quinten Dormady, who had his most solid day this spring. Jeff George made a great catch going up and over Darrell Miller for a touchdown.
On the flip side, Emmanuel Moseley had some nice pass breakups with one of them being against Jauan Jennings.
Outside of that, more of the same names making big plays.
BRENT'S TAKES:
Wind forced the Vols indoors, but didn't dampen the spirits or the production of the Vols. We saw a good bit passing game work from one on one's to seven on seven work. Quarterback Quinten Dormady threw the ball as well as we have seen him throw it the spring.
His accuracy was good. Vincent Perry had a really nice start to the day. I like Perry and he's going to help this football team. I like his toughness and ability. He can help on special teams and could be a help in the slot as well. He continues to look like he is getting healthier.
We also saw a nice catch from Jeff George where he high pointed the ball in the endzone. Emmanuel Moseley had a couple of nice pass break ups as well as over 100 high school coaches looked on as the Vols coaching clinic gets underway featuring Archie Manning as the headliner.
Defensively the safeties got some extra open field tackling work while the defensive front worked on leverage and hand techniques. Rashaan Gaulden continues to play fast in my opinion. Really fast.
For the running backs it was open field where with running backs coach Robert Gillespie swinging a pad at the running backs feet. Jalen Hurd's biggest personal goal this spring has to be better in the open field and not be able to be brought down as easily by arm tackles in the open field.
