Practice #1 Updates 8.1.16 - VolNation
Practice #2 Updates 8.2.16 - VolNation
Practice #3 Updates 8.3.16 - VolNation
Practice #4 Updates 8.4.16 - VolNation
Practice #5 Updates 8.6.16 - VolNation
Practice #6 Closed
Practice #7 began at 3:35 today.
Grant Ramey: In green today: Jalen Hurd, DJ Henderson, Austin Smith, Jauan Jennings, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Micah Abernathy.
http://twitter.com/GrantRamey/status/763105079486455808/video/1
Freshman wide receiver Latrell Williams was on the field today, albeit in shorts (and shoulder pads).
Since Williams was in shoulder pads, that means he's either in his third or fourth day of the NCAA's acclamation period, which means he'll be eligible to wear full pads either Wednesday or Thursday if the staff wants him in full pads.
Rucker
Jesse Simonton: With two-a-days starting tomorrow, fundamentals the focus of today's practice. RBs working on ball-security. #Vols
http://twitter.com/JesseReSimonton/status/763108807023230982/video/1
Brice: Member of the staff on Sutton says that Cam Sutton "isn't hurt; has a sprained finger" from Sunday's practice. Lots of medical tests, etc., but optimistic there won't be any time missed. He'll get a break from punt return duties for a bit.
Cam Sutton was on the practice field and getting some work, including some interception drills. Looked like some precautionary gear on as well.
Elsewhere, Rashaan Gaulden, Nigel Warrior, Stephen Griffin and Micah Abernathy got heavy reps at safety while Sutton, Malik Foreman, Justin Martin and Emmanuel Moseley got the work at cornerback, with D.J. Henderson in that mix as well.
Lots of focus for the running backs on balance and leverage, with some hurdle drills and work in the chutes as well.
Brice
starting with Shy Tuttle doing more than we've seen him do. He was in shoulder pads, helmet and shorts and didn't do any contact and I think he's still a ways from there, but he did more moving around and worked with the DLs today.
Tyler Byrd had a really nice one-handed catch. He continues to generate a lot of buzz right now as he's made a lot of plays in the passing game over the last few games.
Butch Jons and Zach Azzanni seem to really like what they were seeing in the passing game, praising the receivers for running good routes.
Finally, Jalen Hurd and John Kelly were working on some leaping drills, practicing hurdling a defender.
Fort
There's obviously a growing sense of urgency (not panic) but a push on the offensive line to get cranked up more. Brett Kendrick appeared to get more right tackle work early in practice and even got some work ahead of Chance Hall.
In the secondary, Cam Sutton with a protective wrap on his right wrist did practice and was not not in a green non-contact jersey. It was a regular work day for the senior, whose only issue was his cleats which he changed out early in the workout.
The receivers continue to catch the ball well in my opinion. I like the camp they are having overall and everyone continues to fall in love with Tyler Byrd. Byrd could play either side of the ball effectively.
Shy Tuttle continues to get work in individual drills although not in full gear.
Hubbs
First off, it appears Butch's warning shot across Chance Hall's bow this weekend wasn't coach speak. Brett Kendrick looked to be getting a good bit of work with at right tackle with the 1st team OL. Now, that could be a motivational ploy to light a fire under Hall, but Jones clearly wasn't just talking to hear himself talk on that topic.
Barnett is impressive to watch in practice, never takes a rep off, lots of positive chatter with teammates, just easy to see he sets the tone and gets a lot of respect.
Martin and Moseley both made a couple of acrobatic plays today in DB drills just working against 'air' but showing some impressive ball skills and body control.
Lewis
Josh Smith continues to have a very good fall camp. He is polished, disciplined and honestly the most consistent wideout Tennessee has right now. He and Dobbs have a great relationship and are very much on the same page. I can't reiterate enough how impressive Tyler Byrd has been to this point.
Defensively that strong safety spot is very much up for grabs and it's going to be a fight with Gaulden, Warrior and Abernathy battling. Also catching my eye in his long-sleeve orange shirt was Derek Barnett. #9 has massive year written all over him and seems to be in better shape than last year. That's to not say he was in bad shape, but he looks extremely well put together right now.
Price
VQ Highlights:
https://player.vimeo.com/video/178244156
Player interviews from earlier today
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLO6Kk1VsZw[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLCa7yzzVKQ[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxoVxWAkZRI[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yOEdRqpxmM[/youtube]
Projected starting safety Rashaan Gaulden looked strong in drills, while cornerback Cam Sutton practiced well despite having a brace on his wrist. Malik Foreman continues to look like one of the leading candidates to start opposite Sutton.
Players continue to insist Tennessees defense will blitz more often, with defensive end Corey Vereen the latest to confirm as much saying the Vols will most definitely be more aggressive. (Bob Shoop) is a very good defensive coordinator, and the blitz package and everything he talks about, his culture versus scheme, is to the point of what we do will be better than what you draw up on paper.
UT focused on the fundamentals through the first three periods on Tuesday, with backs going through ball-security drills, offensive linemen firing out of the chute, defensive backs high-pointing the ball and receivers catching passes from the jugs machine.
Griffith
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjYbUc-W4fk[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBdmdQG1_xE[/youtube]
Ive said it before, but it bears repeating: Josh Smith is going to be Tennessees leading receiver this year in terms of catches. He snags every conceivable pass on just about every route in practice, and he did it again today, as he didnt drop a single pass during the quarterback/receiver portion.
Standout players: Not only did Williams and Byrd standout, but so did defensive end Kyle Phillips and running back Jalen Hurd. Phillips missed over half the season last year after suffering a shoulder injury, but he looks almost back to form early into fall camp. He moved around well today and looked overall pretty normal.
Rutherford
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elvde11oMLs[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTdmXOlBEYA[/youtube]
