Official Team 119 Fall Camp Thread

McKenzie and Tuttle both look like 27 year old's that have been in the league for a few years. It's been a while since we've had two guys this huge and freakishly athletic boys.

The videos and coverage from today had me more excited than I've ever been while Butch has been here. We look bigger, faster and more experienced at every single position.

The DL and DB's look fricking mean

The man child has excellent genes.

It was hot as frick today, I bet these dudes were hurting a little bit.

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Hey OP, let's make this the official fall camp thread if you want to do a title change. I'll try to update as much as possible.

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Got it.

Butch Jones Practice #1 Press Conference

John Brice's thoughts

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The eye test. That was the first thing that stood out to me. This Tennessee team looks like a real team, an SEC team, a group that is ready to compete.

Additionally, it was by and large a focused team outside on Haslam Field. Certainly coaches barked commands and challenged players, but the Vols didn't have to be chided from period to period, drill to drill. There was comfort to the team in what it had to do and what was expected. Josh Dobbs drew praise from coaches in early sessions, largely because Dobbs clearly knew what to do and had a good presence about him.

Justin Martin probably will show up in a lot of mentions tonight and tomorrow. The fluid JuCo DB was solid in some early punt return but really showed his athleticism in how he handled some defensive back drills. Good burst, long arms, obvious talent. It's going to be how quickly and how well Martin absorbs the defensive playbook.

Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara just look stout in the backfield. Seeing which player can nab the No. 3 spot will be an intriguing aspect of the next few weeks' practices.

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Rob Lewis

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We’ll obviously have to see him in pads before we know a great deal, but Khalil McKenzie certainly passes the eye test, especially from the waist down. His lower body is just massive, and not just for a freshman. In talking with several long time observers of the program no one can remember any first year player coming that was just that massive. So the legend continues to grow.

JaJuan Jennings is getting coached hard at receiver out of the gate. Zach Azzani paid particular attention to everything Jennings did in drills today, patiently instructing him on the small details that he’ll need to pick up on as he works to learn a new position. Jennings certainly didn’t look out of place at his new home, moving well and showing nice burst. And with the possible exception of Jason Croom, he may be the most physically imposing receiver on the roster.

There’s been a lot of talk about Jalen Hurd’s weight, but the initial assessment here is that it hasn’t slowed him down any. If anything, Hurd looks more explosive than he did a year ago. He looks every bit of 242 pounds, but he also looks like he’s put in the time to improve his quickness. That was really noticeable in his cuts and change of direction.

Justin Martin’s first priority will obviously be learning the defense but he’s another newcomer that certainly looks the part. He’s a fluid athlete, explodes in out of his breaks and showed good hands in tonight’s defensive back drills.

The quarterbacks didn’t do a lot tonight while we were on the field but Sherrion Jones was a bit of a nice surprise. He threw the ball really well and showed the kind of mobility and fluidity that you’d expect to see based on his high school tape. Quinten Dormady obviously has a leg up on the back-up job after being here in the spring but with Jones the Vols could have a couple of promising prospects under center for the future.

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RTI Defense Notes

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Cam Sutton: This guy’s just a pro. I can’t say it enough. He does everything well and does it all right the first time through. He encourages his teammates and teaches them his tricks whenever he can. I would encourage Vol fans to enjoy watching Cam Sutton in 2015, because it’s likely to be his last season at Tennessee before he makes himself A LOT of money in the NFL, and deservedly so.

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Justin Martin: I’m breaking my rule that I set with the defensive linemen, because Justin Martin has to be mentioned as a standout even if he is a newcomer. Martin is a physical freak. He is fast, he is strong, he is smooth and he may have the longest arms on the team…all qualities you covet in cornerbacks. As he learns the technique and tools of the trade from Cam Sutton, Willie Martinez, his graduate assistants, teammates…etc. there is a lot of reason for optimism when looking at what his impact will be on this team. All of the physical tools are there for Martin, it’s just a matter of learning his craft

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Kahlil McKenzie looks like a defensive end from his waist to his shoulders, but he has the legs of a Triceratops. McKenzie was very workmanlike in his approach today. No chatter, no questions…no mistakes (that we could see). He looked focused and completely locked in.

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Derek Barnett: He looks like a completely different player. He looks leaner and faster, no doubt a product of an entire year in Tennessee’s strength and conditioning program. He was never “out of shape” last year, but he also didn’t look like an elite defensive lineman when he was just standing around. Barnett doesn’t look like a freshman anymore, he looks like a player who put in a lot of hard work over the summer to transform his body…and that is a scary thought for offensive coordinators across the country

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Curt Maggitt: This guy is just violently fast for a human of his size. Curt’s explosion off the ball was easily noticeable tonight, and it is probably safe to say that his first step is the best on the team. He was very vocal in drills and was coaching up the younger guys throughout the open periods of tonight’s practice. It is clear to see that the leader of the defensive line, and, arguably, the defense and team as a whole, is #56.

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Guise