re: VOLS Fall Camp Updates

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At least two of Tennessee’s highly touted true freshman defensive lineman have already impressed enough to get coaches talking where they’ll fit in the depth chart.Big true freshman defensive ends Derek Barnett and Dewayne Hendrix — both of whom were four-star Top247 prospects in the 2014 class — have already gotten on veteran defensive line coach Steve Stripling’s radar as immediate-impact candidates.
“I’ll give you a pair of names,” Stripling said when asked about his newcomers. “I think Barnett and Hendrix have jumped out, and they’re showing that I think they’re mature enough and physical enough at this point to where we’ll see where they can end up on the depth chart.”

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Tennessee showed practice observers some full-team, 11-on-11 work in the early periods of Monday afternoon's practice on Haslam Field, and --- even if by design --- the Vols' first quarterback onto the field might have been a bit of a surprise.

Redshirt sophomore Nathan Peterman opened fourth-period team work with largely the Vols' projected starting offense. It's also interesting to note that Josh Smith joined Marquez North and Von Pearson as the third wideout while Alex Ellis was the initial tight end. The same starting five along the offensive front opened the drill, from left to right, Jacob Gilliam, Marcus Jackson, Mack Crowder, Kyler Kerbyson and Coleman Thomas. Jalen Hurd also got work at tailback with the first-team unit.

Additionally, Tennessee's second-team defense that was deployed at times was absolutely peppered with freshmen; eight or nine first-year players got reps with the second-team defense during team drills as outlined below.

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For the first-team defensive, the Vols opened with Curt Maggitt, Danny O'Brien, Jordan Williams and Corey Vereen up front, although Owen Williams was quickly inserted along the interior. The second level consisted of A.J. Johnson and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, with Justin Coleman manning that nickelback/third linebacker role. The secondary was Emmanuel Moseley and Cam Sutton at the cornerback spots with Brian Randolph and Devaun Swafford at safety. Ethan Wolf caught the first pass from Peterman, and Hurd had a powerful run into the Vols' second and third levels against Johnson and Randolph.

In second-team work, Joshua Dobbs was the second quarterback in as several Vols staffers remarked that Jones had "fired warning shots" to his squad in shaking up some roster spots. Derrell Scott was the second-team running back while North, Josh Malone and Ryan Jenkins got early work at the second-team receiver spots. Jashon Robertson was the first positional switch, with the powerful rookie from Nashville flip-flopping from the defensive line to the offensive side of the ball. Robertson quickly gained some second-team reps at guard --- a position familiar to Robertson from high school. Devrin Young, Johnathon Johnson, Jason Croom and Malone were the second-team wideouts getting the most reps.

Malone made a dazzling catch down the left sideline from senior Justin Worley, going over Riyahd Jones to make the juggling grab. On the next play, Worley showed some leadership the coaches are seeking when a freshman route-runner engaged a defensive back and was blocking rather than trying to catch the ball that landed just behind him at his feet.

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Allan Carson was gone from the team while sophomore reserve offensive lineman Dylan Wiesman returned to the active areas of the practice field for the first time since Friday. Wiesman had been slowed during the weekend with a nagging leg injury, spending Saturday in the 'Black Hole' conditioning area and being unable to go on Sunday. Alton 'Pig' Howard also appeared to just overheat a little in the early stages of practice, getting some attention from a trainer during the first half of the Vols' fourth session of pre-season camp. Similarly, Woody Quinn appeared to battle the heat elements as well.

Second-team defense featured: Derek Barnett, Kendal Vickers, Dimarya Mixon and Trevarris Saulsberry along the front, though Dewayne Hendrix quickly rotated in and continued to turn heads in the early going of camp. The linebackers were Dillon Bates and Kenny Bynum. Justin King rolled in at one point, and Chris Weatherd got some burn. In the secondary, Todd Kelly Jr., D'Andre Payne, LaDarrell McNeil and Jones were in the four traditional spots with Malik Foreman working at nickel while Payne logged some time at corner. Kelly Jr. and McNeil were the safeties. Evan Berry, Neiko Creamer and Cortez McDowell all also got early work with the 2s.

Tennessee also showed off its first-team punt unit, with veteran Matt Darr handled the punting duties. The Vols' shield consisted of O'Brien, King and Vickers. Coverage guys consisted of Michael Williams, Swafford, McNeil, Sutton, Reeves-Maybin and Coleman. The deep-snapper remains Matt Giampapa. Both Rashaan Gaulden and Weatherd were quickly inserted into the second-team punt coverage unit. Darr seemed to roar out of the gates to one of his best starts punting the football.

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We’re not going to suggest Monday was a calculated move on Jones’ part, but let’s put it this way: We’ve seen him in much angrier moods than Monday. And even by the end of Monday’s meeting with the media, Jones was starting to backtrack a few inches by saying he believes this team can do what he’s asking it to do. He loves these players on a personal level. He loves working with them on a daily basis. But sometimes tough love is the best love, and this team’s going to get plenty of tough love.

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