VOLS Fall Camp Updates

Dewayne Hendrix


Josh Malone


Von Pearson

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Already shifting into full team sessions midway through the practices, Justin Worley and Marlin Lane were the first skill players in the Vols' backfield while the receivers again remained the trio of Josh Malone, Marquez North and Von Pearson.

Tennessee continued extensive special teams, ball-security and fundamental drills with head coach Butch Jones stalking all areas of practice. Jones also wasn't the only one barking orders on the microphone, as receivers coach Zach Azzanni also bellowed instructions during one segment.

Interesting to note is that for the second consecutive day, Vols' coaches made players who dropped passes, punts or interceptions drop for 10 pushups each time. Players are told only, "You owe me 10!" During one segment of offensive skill work, all the Vols' players were required to drop the ground for pushups.

Jones did take time early to challenge a reserve offensive lineman, labeling him the Vols' first "energy vampire of camp." "Look at him, he's got his fangs out," Jones barked, adding, "and you can write that!" It was clear that position coaches were trying to set a tone early, particularly with younger players, challenging them in drills and talking to them about body language and demeanor.

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-VQ

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I hope the Worley/Dobbs improvements I've been hearing about are true because the receiving corps I nasty. The more we can get them the ball, the better.

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They are from what I can tell. The video that's been coming out has shown both of them throwing solid as can be. Even Peterman looks good. Justin's growth is the most noticeable because he's finally throwing the way he did when he was a backup. He showed an arm back then but as a starter over thinking things, a new system and no experience at WR/TE absolutely killed him (and the rest of our QBs) last season. Worley got tagged by a lot of folks as weak armed last year but his arm is fine - the mind, route running, and timing were what killed Worley, imo. The less he 'thought' the better his throws were. But the confidence he's finally showing is GOOD. That's what he was missing for much of last year and seeing Dobbs in the Spring as well as the past few days, I feel like Worley and Dobbs can both do an outstanding job. The whole QB group is miles ahead of where they were this time last year.

QB is not where I'm concerned after everything I've seen thus far. I actually feel good about all 3 and even a few of the black stripes/walkons look better than expected. The WR/TE corps is unreal and it's allowing all of our QBs to shine. If the QBs and receivers keep this up all they need is for the o-line to give them half a chance. And hopefully, our o-line gives them time to pass/doesn't get them killed. If they do that then offense is in better shape than we could've dreamed for. But the questions at o-line and even more so the lack of depth there isn't just scary - it's terrifying. We can't afford any injuries at all.

Hopefully Worley will have an awesome senior year just like Crompton.

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Hopefully Worley will have an awesome senior year just like Crompton.

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Agreed and I think he will although Crompton was always more of a headcase, imo, than Worley. Our WRs/TEs doomed all of our QBs last year but there was nothing that could be done for it - you can't replace the entire passing game with players with zero experience and expect it to go well. In hindsight, I'm grateful Neal was able to do all that he did. He did it quietly but he really carried the load last year.

I feel like Dobbs has more raw potential but Justin is there right now while Dobbs still needs some polish to his game. Had Worley not taken the steps he looks to have made over the summer I would've been worried about whether or not it was worth bowing to the Senior at the risk of next season but right now I feel much more confident that the senior leadership he provides is important to this team. Worley's been through hell and back, his confidence is where it should be, his throwing, accuracy, decision making and release points have all improved and he's really going to surprise a lot of people.

Now let's just pray the oline somehow let's all this offense happen.

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Azanni quote on Vic Wharton

'I have never had a freshman come in, and I've been doing this a long time, and practice as well as Vic Wharton has so far."

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Jancek: The difference is speed is apparent at all positions on defense.

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Butch Jones did two things almost immediately after practice began Sunday afternoon that were designed to swing his team into instant focus: banished Tennessee's prestigious players' staff to the 'Black Hole' for conditioning punishment and ushered in the first day of shoulder pads with perhaps the Vols' longest list of circle-of-life participants since Jones' arrival.

Dissatisfied with his team's body language in the earliest moments of practice, Jones banished the players voted on as the squad's top leaders for additional conditioning with strength coach Dave Lawson while others worked on the manhood-challenging one-on-one circle drill. The Vols' players' staff consists of: Marlin Lane, Justin Worley, Joshua Dobbs, Nathan Peterman, A.J. Johnson, Mack Crowder, Curt Maggitt, Brian Randolph, Josh Smith, Jordan Williams, Marquez North and Corey Vereen.

In the circle drills, there were at least 15 intrasquad battles before Jones wrapped up the challenges with this message to his entire team: "Do you want to win?," Jones asked, getting a resounding "Yes!" from his players. "I didn't like the way we came out. It was unacceptable." Among the one-on-one battles that highlighted the drills were: Coleman Thomas battling Dewayne Hendrix to a virtual stalemate; Jalen Hurd winning with a takedown of Cortez McDowell; Elliot Berry more than holding his own against Lemond Johnson; Rashaan Gaulden, a day after sitting out with a high-ankle sprain, scoring a decisive win against Geraldo Orta with a takedown; Kenny Bynum toppled Gavin Bryant; Dontavius Blair looked better than at any point in the spring in this drill, repeatedly handling Jashon Robertson, who had gotten an earlier win. Todd Kelly Jr. and Derrell Scott were pretty even until Kelly gained the upper hand; Chris Weatherd "beasted" Justin King, according to a UT staffer near the circle who witnessed it first-hand; Josh Malone took down Evan Berry; Dillon Bates appeared to top A.J. Branisel and Neiko Creamer while one of the final battles saw Derek Barnett overpower Daniel Helm.

The Vols' newcomers, particularly on defense, made an instant impression on some high school coaches watching practice; coaches who long have been checking out UT practices. The group of coaches were unanimous in citing a greater level of athleticism, speed and talent on the Vols' practice field.

Offensively, the two-deep continued to look fairly static: the offensive line was unchanged with Jacob Gilliam still holding on to that left-tackle spot; skill guys saw Justin Worley open at QB with Marlin Lane at tailback; the wideouts were: Marquez North, Von Pearson and Josh Malone. The tight ends mostly rotated, with Daniel Helm, Ethan Wolf and Brendan Downs all getting some time with the 1s.

The second-team OL appeared to be: Blair, Austin Sanders, Ray Raulerson, Marques Pair and Brett Kendrick. Skill guys there were: Alton 'Pig' Howard, Jason Croom, Josh Smith and A.J. Branisel at tight end. Devrin Young and Johnathon Johnson also were in the mix here as well.

Defensively, the Vols worked a number of unique looks and also repped looks with much greater speed on the field. The Vols had Curt Maggitt, Dimarya Mixon and Corey Vereen together up front in a package that also saw A.J. Johnson and Jalen Reeves-Maybin roaming around a bit with a bevy of defensive backs in the mix.

Malik Foreman was back after missing Saturday's practice due to a death in the family; Foreman got some first-team reps at left corner along with Emmanuel Mosley. The Vols extensively worked substitution patterns and packages on defense as well.

On a roster note, walk-on Dellen Hash elected to quit, according to UT sources, while wideout Jaye Rochelle was promoted to take Hash's spot on the 105-man roster. Injured Vols Cody Blanc and Charles Mosley both were at the practice field on crutches.

The coaches also introduced a new one-on-one drill today with tight ends/running backs going against linebackers in the passing game. The newcomers accounted well for themselves with Weatherd, Bates and Bryant all having pass break-ups.

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-VQ

Also, I find the bolded part about a 3-2-6 package extremely interesting. The staff must be really impressed with all these freshman DBs if they're even thinking about trotting that package out there. I think it's a good sign that the days of Tennessee getting absolutely roasted on the outside and over the top due to lack of speed are over.

Dis making me giddy. Azzani never says stuff like that - dude is hard core on his WRs. Nor did any of the coaches say stuff like this last year.

I see a light at the end of the tunnel, oh lawd don't let it be a freight train..

VQ staff's thoughts so far

Hubbs

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For me the first three days has showed me simply speed. There's no doubt this is a faster team and no one is denying it. Willie Martinez told me that his unit has overcome mistakes in the first three days with their speed that they never could have a year ago.

Every observer I have spoken with has simply said they already look more like an SEC defense than they did at any point a year ago. Now there are tests coming for the young defensive linemen when the full gear comes on, but they look the part and that was no more evident than Sunday when the three new linebackers all had pass break ups in one-on-one drills with the tight ends and running backs.

And while there's plenty of excitement about the newcomers as you would expect, it's not all rosey as the quarterbacks and the passing game has not gotten off to as fast of a start as anyone would have expected given they were all here in the spring working together. There have been too many dropped balls, inaccurate passes and just not real good play in the passing game.

When the full pads go on all will be interested in the defensive line play and offensive line play as they should be. I bet one guy who makes some noise outside of those two units is running back Darrell Scott. The North Carolina native to me has been impressive early.

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John Brice-

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It's clear that the youth movement, coupled with overall quality leadership from the few veterans this Tennessee program does have, has energized the Vols' coaches. To a man on Sunday, each assistant coach spoke of the improved competition at virtually every single spot on the field.

I'm working on a more in-depth story about the Vols' ability to flip over their roster in such a relatively short period of time, and Coach Azzanni told me there's no secret formula; "Hard word, and Coach Jones is the best. He has a vision, and he works every day to make it a reality." I thought that statement really resonated.

Azzanni also told me he's sleeping more soundly these days, since the Vols have some actual depth at WR --- arguably their most SEC-built group on the roster. But Z notes it's not where he wants it, and they're recruiting to get even more competition --- there and everywhere on the field.

Also found it very telling that Coach Gillespie voluntarily told me --- as I was asking about Derrell Scott and Treyvon Paulk --- that Gillespie no longer considers Jalen Hurd a freshman and that Hurd does not carry himself as a freshman. He told me UT running backs have a high standard of history and this group is competing to make their own name while upholding that standard.

There's good football IQ on this team. I've said it and will continue to say it: UT still will endure some struggles this year. You can't fast-forward into experience in some spots, but I see every day on the practice field a vastly improved roster and I expect those same observations --- perhaps sometimes just in glimpses of some really tough games --- to shine through in the season as well.

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Rob Lewis-

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It may not be an original take, but what has jumped out at me over the first three days is the night and day difference in the speed, quickness and athleticism on the defensive side of the ball.

Now, as we all know, most of that speed, athleticism and quickness is exceedingly young, but man, it's given the Vols' D a much different look this fall.

In talking with the defensive coaches on Sunday, particularly Jancek and Thigpen, it's just as apparent that the staff feels the same way about the talent upgrade on that side of the ball. However, it's also obvious they're being extremely cautious about putting any crazy expectations on any of the newcomers.

One guy that really jumps out physically as being a different caliber of player than the Vols have brought in recently is linebacker Chris Weathered. Even without pads on, his athleticism just jumps out at you. A long, rangy player, Weathered's explosiveness is obvious and on Sunday Thigpen praised his natural ability as a pass-rusher. At the same time though Thigpen noted that the fact that he's played pre-dominantly with his hand on the ground is an issue
for him transitioning to linebacker.

Along those same lines, Derek Barnett and Dewayne Hendrix certainly look 'how you want them to look' and have impressed with their athleticism.

And to completely sound like a broken record, the same goes for the secondary. The Vols desperately had to add speed there in order to compete in this league and it looks like mission accomplished.

Emmanuel Mosley's jets are old news after he was here in the spring, but he continues to look really good to me. Rashuan Gualden has jumped out along with Cortez McDowell, both with their speed and when they got a chance to show their physicality during 'bull-in-the-ring' work on Sunday.

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Fortenberry-

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Three days in and like everyone else the upgraded team speed has been noticeable everywhere. From the defensive line, with Steve Stripling basically said he likes this more athletic unit than the bigger group of guys he played with last year, to the linebackers, where Dillon Bates and Chris Weatherd especially look athletic, to the defensive backs, where the newcomers are turning heads, this defense will be faster .

They may still get lost and get beat on things, but I don't knot that you will just see the gaping mismatches we've seen the last few years because of Tennessee's lack of speed on that side of the ball. Up front, I think the future is very bright as Hendrix, Barnett, Sawyers and Robertson, if he stays there, all look good early on. All are strong and look like SEC defensive linemen early on.

On the offense I feel like I've watched every available snap of the QBs throwing the ball and they aren't consistent enough and that has lead to bad timing, tough catches (which these receivers can make) and at times some sloppiness. This has all been against air. They'll have to be sharper moving forward and Mike Bajakian has challenged them the last three days to be better.

I think the offensive line is still searching for an identity but Mack Crowder has emerged as a leader there and they need the tackles to come along.

I'm buying into the hype that Jalen Hurd, if he stays healthy, is going to be really good. He's just a different type of guy. Gillespie told me today that Scott is doing well and has a chance to earn a role on offense this year."

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As always, thanks for the updates everybody.

I swear to god if these QBs frick up this awesome lineup of WRs, I'm gonna punch infants.

The OL is really worrisome. I remember saying they might be good awhile ago, I regret that now.