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After taking Sunday off, Tennessee returned to the practice field on Monday afternoon for fall practice number six.
ON OFFENSE
Von Pearson still has a few more practices before he’ll be allowed to wear full pads, but he made an impressive touchdown catch today, according to Dustin Dopriak.
Senior wide receiver Von Pearson wore a green jersey in his second day back after being reinstated from suspension. He still isn’t in pads, but he made an impressive touchdown reception in a red zone drill, leaping up to catch the pass and getting one foot down in the back of the end zone.
The Vols were without tight end A.J. Branisel, who reportedly left the team today.
In the Circle of Life drill, highly touted freshman Drew Richmond battled Venzell Boulware. The drill was restarted several times by Butch Jones, with Richmond finally getting the best of the matchup.
Offensive linemen Marcus Jackson and Jashon Robertson were both absent from the practice field today. Robertson has had a stomach bug and missed practice last week. Jackson, however, reportedly suffered an arm injury which could end his season, according to VolQuest.
With those two missing practice, offensive coordinator Mike Debord said a lot of guys are shuffling around on the line right now.
“We are getting a lot of guys reps Debord said. “Kendrick went over there. Coleman Thomas has been swinging around a lot. We’ve got a few guys banged up here and there. So right now a lot of guys are getting opportunities.”
“We did not improve one percent today,” said Debord. “We’ve got to have better intensity all the time. We’ve got guys that have it and other guys that don’t. They’re learning it right now, but they’ve got to learn it fast too.”
Juan Jennings is a guy who recently moved from quarterback to wide receiver, and the coaches continue to have good things to say about his performance at the new position.
“He’s having fun number one,” Debord said. “He’s smiling, laughing–he’s enjoying it right now.”
“I knew he could go north, everybody saw that in the spring. At quarterback he could take the ball and go north. I didn’t know if he had the athletic quickness sometimes that receivers need, and he has displayed that.”
“He just keeps getting better and better every practice too,” Debord said.
ON DEFENSE
The two newcomers on the defensive line seem to be progressing, as defensive coordinator John Jancek had positive things to say about both Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle on Monday.
“Khalil is a hard worker, Jancek said after practice. “He’s dropped some weight even since he’s been here. You can see his body starting to tone up. It doesn’t happen overnight.”
“Shy showed up a couple times today,” Jancek said. “I’ll get in there and watch the film and really get a feel for it, but he’s working hard and certainly being here for spring helped him. We’ve just got to keep pushing.”
Justin Martin is expected to miss some practice time moving forward. He was rolled up in the pile during practice on Saturday (pictured below).
Martin is expected to miss some time moving forward, largely precautionary, after he was rolled up during Saturday’s scrimmage work. Martin had tests Sunday and has been further evaluated by medical staff. He’s been seen on crutches around campus.
Also missing from the defensive backfield were Evan Berry and Stephen Griffin, according to Wes Rucker. The reason for Berry’s absence is unknown, but Griffin was seen wearing a walking boot on his foot.
NOTES
Phillip Fulmer was spotted at practice. In this photo, he was hugging Condredge Holloway… Jason Croom and Trevarris Saulsberry were out. Again.
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