Spring Practice #5

[Fingers]

VIDEO





CLIPS

NOTES

Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright and company were simulating outside zone before running through. I didn’t see any fumbles from the backs, but Jerry Mack was persistent it telling his group to get lower.

Freshman Elijah Herring was called back once during the drill as Brian Jean-Mary preached perfection.

Tamarion McDonald continues to work at safety alongside Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough. Christian Charles is still a work-in-progress learning the cornerback position but looks healthy and quick on his feet. I did not see Doneiko Slaughter out there today. Willie Martinez had the group working route recognition in walk-thru speed.

We continue to see the Darnell Wright / Dayne Davis look at right tackle and JJ Crawford / Gerald Mincey grouping at left tackle. Freshman Addison Nichols is still working with the centers.

As far as attendance, LaTrell Bumphus continues to not be at practice while the media is present. I tried to get it out of Rodney Garner the other day, but the assistants typically leave that to the head coach. We will ask Josh Heupel on Saturday what the deal is there.

The noteworthy prospects here today are 2023 OL Brycen Sanders and 2023 DE Daevin Hobbs of Concord, N.C.

e.cain

The first observation from Wednesday morning is that the Vols are introducing a new, old feature to their offense with an option attack. Media could not film during this portion, though each quarterback and running back exchanged pitches.

Ramel Keyton made a particularly nice grab, and Kaleb Webb has continued improving after struggling with the wind this past weekend.

As for tight ends, Jacob Warren and Hunter Salmon seem to be leading the group, which continues to be coached hard by Alex Golesh.

Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough led each exercise, with Tamarion McDonald following in the third spot.

It is worth noting that Addison Nichols -- who played tackle in high school -- has kept getting reps at center

si

Freshman Justin Williams-Thomas looks the part, but he's still a freshman. Mack got on to him for a couple of little detail things, from his ball security to his feet. Williams-Thomas is going to be a factor this fall, but the spring is an important chance to work out the kinks and improve his pass protection, which is something offensive coordinator Alex Golesh talked about after a recent practice.

Jabari Small continues to carry himself like a veteran and Jaylen Wright and Len'Neth Whitehead seem to be more confident in their second years (Whitehead was hurt so much his first season). As for Williams-Thomas, his burst and quickness at his size (6-1/210) is as evident up close as it is on his high school film.

Walker Merrill has been in the slot but was outside during this period, working on the side of the field with Cedric Tillman, Jack Jancek and freshmen Chas Nimrod and Cameron Miller. Freshman slot Marquarius White made a nice leaping catch from Milton (not sure if he got a foot down in the back of the end zone, though), but Nimrod and fellow newcomer Kaleb Webb couldn't come down with inaccurate throws from non-Hooker-and-Milton quarterbacks. Jalin Hyatt in the slot and tight end Jacob Warren continue to carry themselves with a lot of confidence and have looked sharp all spring.

Southern California wide receiver transfer Bru McCoy was again at practice as his official visit wraps up on Wednesday morning.

p.brown

 

[Bearkat_Vol]

First! Thanks, Fingers!

 

[bigvol67]

2nd, almost got it lol

 

[jason3713]

I’m on the page somewhere

 

[VFLCodyGBO]

First page win

 

[BigDave]

I really like this coaching staff . . . teaching, correcting and encouraging at all times!!

GBO

 

[Palm Beach Vol]

Thanks Fingers!

VFL...GBO

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

 

[TheVolsFrog]

So Jackson and Navy still having issues with accuracy? I know in the video the other day Jackson sailed a short pass over the receivers head...
Still early and plenty of time to get it together...

 

[VolBricks]

"As for Williams-Thomas, his burst and quickness at his size (6-1/210) is as evident up close as it is on his high school film." I just have a feeling that this kid is the real deal at RB. It may take 5-6 games for him to see much playing time but I just have a feeling that he will wind up being the best RB that we have on the roster right now (unless we get someone better in the portal).

 

[American_PitVol]

11th

 

[UTblood4life]

Option Hmmm if we could only execute it like every team that runs it we play does

 

[WoodsmanVol]

"As for Williams-Thomas, his burst and quickness at his size (6-1/210) is as evident up close as it is on his high school film." I just have a feeling that this kid is the real deal at RB. It may take 5-6 games for him to see much playing time but I just have a feeling that he will wind up being the best RB that we have on the roster right now (unless we get someone better in the portal).

You may be right. Just the same, I don't think we've seen the best of Little Man Stewart, I mean Jabari Small. He will be the feature back. I believe that our having capable backups will result in keeping Small fresh, and we will see him perform beyond what we saw in 2021.

 

[SpookyAction]

It is easy to dismiss Small until you see him eat up strong defenders and consistently emerge from crowds.
He runs mean like John Kelly.

 

[TitanicVolz]

Man really hoping Christian Charles can stay healthy.Kid could be a guy that helps our secondary out tremendously this year so hoping he keeps progressing without any setbacks.Back end scares me no matter,you gotta have guys to stop offenses like ours period.

 

[joevol33]

Thanks again Fingers

 

[KnoxLandcruiser]

Attaboy Rollie!

 

[Mr French]

So Jackson and Navy still having issues with accuracy? I know in the video the other day Jackson sailed a short pass over the receivers head...
Still early and plenty of time to get it together...

He's in no rush. He also threw the ball a lot less than most Power 5 qbs due to the offense his high school ran so he's going to have a lot to work on. Super high ceiling though.

 

[OffTackleVol]

Attaboy Rollie!

Give this post A's.......

 

[orangemadam]

any speculation on the Latrell Bumphus and the media situation?

 

[TheVolsFrog]

He's in no rush. He also threw the ball a lot less than most Power 5 qbs due to the offense his high school ran so he's going to have a lot to work on. Super high ceiling though.

That’s true. He has time and it’s spring so no real concern at the moment but things may shake up next year with Nico coming.
And against many on VolNation, Milton can’t be ruled out for QB1 next year.

 

[Mr French]

That’s true. He has time and it’s spring so no real concern at the moment but things may shake up next year with Nico coming.
And against many on VolNation, Milton can’t be ruled out for QB1 next year.

That's a good problem if we have two 4* qbs battling the possible number 1 overall recruit this cycle. People forget Peyton didn't start game 1 so if one of the best to ever do it sat some his freshman year if Nico does its ok.

 

[SpookyAction]

I go to church with LaTrell and know nothing.

 

[TheVolsFrog]

That's a good problem if we have two 4* qbs battling the possible number 1 overall recruit this cycle. People forget Peyton didn't start game 1 so if one of the best to ever do it sat some his freshman year if Nico does its ok.

I expect Nico to sit year 1 but the question is QB2 or QB3.
I don't mind a stout QB Bench. We're probably going to need one

 

[Mr French]

I expect Nico to sit year 1 but the question is QB2 or QB3.
I don't mind a stout QB Bench. We're probably going to need one

I only see it if Milton is QB1.... if it's Jackson the Nico is gone. He isn't sitting 2-3 years but who knows?