Tennessee held its eighth practice of the spring Thursday, with hundreds of high school coaches in attendance for the weekend clinic.
The Vols were back in shells just helmets and shorts in preparation for Saturdays first spring scrimmage.
Today was clearly a fundamental focus day while we were out there for 7-8 short minutes. Not much contact work at all.
* Tennessees DBs did various ball-tracking drills (like the ones youd see at the NFL Combine) and also added a fumble scoop and score drill.
* The RBs did two different agility + ball security drills. At one point, the RBs were holding 2 footballs with coaches slapping them with pads as they ran by. G did a similar drill last year.
* Will Friend was ALL OVER Ryan Johnson on his footwork today, as Tennessees OL coach is working overtime to make sure Johnson is ready to assume the full-time role as the starting center. Meanwhile, freshman Jerome Carvin and Ollie Lane continue to cross-train at RG.
* The routes on air period was a bit shorter than usual, with too many balls hitting the ground mainly due to drops. Jarrett Guarantano was crisp, but Will McBride probably had his best day throwing the ball all spring. Marquez Callaway, Jordan Murphy, Jacquez Jones, Latrell Williams and Josh Palmer all had at least one drop today. David Johnson screamed multiple times, TWO HANDS when several of UTs receivers tried to simply snag a pass with one arm. Junior Brandon Johnson continues to be the smoothest WR out there. He doesnt drop anything, runs sharp routes.
* Didnt see much of the DL or OLBs today, but Tracy Rocker did give some subtle praise to Greg Emerson during one rep.
THIS & THAT
* The high school coaches in attendance all received sporty Vol backpacks.
* Hoops recruit DJ Burns was spotted on his OV at practice. Grant Williams is his host.
* For the third straight practice, Dillion Bates was working exclusively with the ILB.
