Vols Fall Practice #1

[Fingers]

in red jerseys on Wednesday were Isaiah Campbell, Carson Gentle and Jordan Carter.

I thought for the first practice, both quarterbacks looked crisp and ready to compete.

Routes on air were short to medium throws during our viewing session, and both quarterbacks were accurate for the most part. Brandon had a really nice throw on an 10-yard in breaking route where the receiver never had to let out of the gas.. Both quarterback did miss high on a throw during the period. For the most part, it was a clean period, though.

Travis Smith had a really nice high point catch against Safety Dejaun Lane. Lane bounced back with a pass breakup of his own on his next rep.

Dasaahn Brame proved to be a mismatch for Edrees Farooq on one rep, as he reeled in a really nice catch using his size to his advantage.

Mike Matthews probably had the catch of the drill on a very competitive rep between him and Kayin Lee, though. Lee stayed in phase through the rep, but Matthews created separation at the ideal time and snagged the ball with his fingertips.

Jesse Perry received praise for a couple of reps from assistant OL coach Kevin Pendleton.

Trent Thomas and Luca Wolf both received praise during the setting. Wolfe had a really nice rep, I thought.

Ethan Davis and Dasaahn Brame both moved very well here and looked comfortable. Davis did drop one of his reps.

The entire defensive line looks better physically, to me they were the position that looked more different than any other after the off-season work.

Qua Moss had a couple of impressive reps and offensively it was Tyreek King. The freshman adjusts to the ball well and showed good body control.

m.ray

We also didn’t see starting cornerback Ty Redmond out there and was told he is dealing with an illness that should not keep him out of practice long.

Travis Smith Jr. had a couple of nice plays with catches against Dejuan Lane and Tre Poteat. At cornerback, Auburn transfer Kayin Lee was a standout with his physicality by forcing incompletions against Radarious Jackson (twice) and Braylon Staley. Freshman wideout King also caught the eye, twisting to make a scooping one-handed catch and keeping his concentration to catch a pass when Kansas State transfer nickel Qua Moss mistimed his jump for the football.

Safety Dylan Lewis, praised by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles on Tuesday, also had a couple of good reps, forcing an incompletion against the bigger Ethan Davis and bodying up against Joakim Dodson for the only interception of the period. Sophomore cornerback Timothy Merritt also had a couple of nice reps where he didn’t give up a catch. Moss locked down fellow transfer Ian Duarte on his first go.

The best catches belonged to DaSaahn Brame and Mike Matthews. Brame Moss’d Edrees Farooq, showing his natural pass-catch abilities and strength to pull in the pass with Farooq in tight coverage (but not in a position to make a play on the ball). Matthews made a twisting fingertip catch with a late adjustment to the ball against Lee.

Brandon had a couple of fastballs sail through the hands of Staley and Brame on shallow crossing routes. Otherwise the quarterbacks were getting the football out quickly and usually accurately. They were high-percentage throws and Tennessee’s quarterbacks completed a high percentage of them.

Wednesday’s viewing suggested Tennessee will use its tight ends in the passing game. We saw them working on more routes than usual in periods where they typically worked on their run-blocking with a sled.

Brame and freshman Luca Wolf had some drops (likely due to wet footballs), but Davis looks like a million bucks and newcomers Wolf and Trent Thomas, the South Alabama transfer, both pass the eye test as well from a stature standpoint.

The cornerbacks going through drills on Wednesday were Lee, Poteat, Merritt, freshmen Wyatt, Javonte Smith and Zay Anderson, transfer Isaiah Hardge and Jackson Mathews.

On the left side, the tandems went: David Sanders Jr. at tackle and Wendell Moe Jr. at guard pushed the sled quite a distance, Osenda at tackle and Shamurad Umarov at guard and freshman Kamari Blair at tackle and Antoni Ogumoro at guard.

The other half of the line had Sam Pendleton at center, Jesse Perry at right guard and Ory Williams at right tackle first up, followed by Nic Moore at center, Donovan Haslam at right guard and Jeremias Heard at right tackle.

p.brown

The better day between MacIntyre and Brandon in routes on air goes to MacIntyre. MacIntyre looked accurate for the entirety of the period, while Brandon left a few throws high and didn’t connect with receivers. There is no reason to panic about Brandon, though. Brandon also made some really nice throws and has plenty of arm talent to dial in ahead of the season.

In throws to coaches with simulated pressure and off platform, I thought Brandon looked better. When off his back foot and delivering a check down, his throws came out with more zip and were mostly more accurate. MacIntyre wasn’t bad in that portion, but Brandon looked more impressive.

I thought the most impressive receiver of the day was Travis Smith Jr. His ability to track down jump balls and make plays over defensive backs was outstanding. He looks like a candidate to take a significant step in the right direction in his sophomore season.

Tyreek King also looked strong and had great hands as a true freshman who didn’t early enroll. It’ll be tough for him to find his way on the field this year with Braylon Staley in front of him, but he could be a really nice piece for the future. I’m saying all of that, too, without even seeing him show off his speed, which is a great asset.

The offensive line looks like they’ve benefited from Derek Owings, as well. David Sanders is continuing to put on good weight. Sam Pendleton doesn’t look as big, but looks a lot stronger than he did last year. Gabriel Osenda is towering and putting on weight, as well. Donovan Haslam is also just a remarkably huge guy to see in person. As Joey Halzle said yesterday, it’s cool to look at those guys.

r.sylvia

 

[VolInDayton]

First

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

ROUTES
ON
AIR

 

[Vol_guy]

GBO!!

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

Yes!!!

 

[cherokeeeVOL]

 

[VinnieVOL]

Been sitting here refreshing for this thread to appear! NOW it's time!

 

[GoVawls1821]

First practice thread from Fingers hits like crack

 

[IfDickeyStayed]

m.ray











p.brown






r.sylvia

GMAC honestly doesn't look that frail. Looks like he's coming into his height and frame now. Doesnt look anymore skinny than Nico did

 

[MarcMyWords]

Fingers!! The wait is over GBO

 

[NighthawkVol]

m.ray











p.brown






r.sylvia

IT'S FINALLY HERE. THANK YOU, FINGERS!

 

[VolInDayton]

Day 1 open period results: Faizon looked better, both looked even, and GMac had the best day.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

 

[RDU VOL#14]

“Wednesday’s viewing suggested Tennessee will use its tight ends in the passing game. We saw them working on more routes than usual in periods where they typically worked on their run-blocking with a sled”

Gonna be our young QB’s best friends early on.

 

[utchs81]

And it begins!!!! Go Fangers.

 

[ENGRVOL]

Seen enough. 16-0 incoming. maybe 15-1 if Heupel decides to rest some players at the end of the season/sec championship game

Thanks Mr fingers!!

 

[NighthawkVol]

Wyatt with the CBs is odd.

Sounds like Dylan Lewis may be the backup NB. I'm just speculating based on the guys he was covering (a slot WR and a TE).

 

[Vawlk Tuah]

GMAC honestly doesn't look that frail. Looks like he's coming into his height and frame now. Doesnt look anymore skinny than Nico did

To be fair, Nico was still skinny as all get out. I mean thats the 6'5" + curse.. 205 still looks small at that height.

 

[mitzustu]

Wyatt with the CBs is odd.

Sounds like Dylan Lewis may be the backup NB. I'm just speculating based on the guys he was covering (a slot WR and a TE).

Why? We just lost one for the year. Lose a starter and we are in trouble.

 

[Vawlk Tuah]

Why? We just lost one for the year. Lose a starter and we are in trouble.

Im just surprised due to his size he's able to play there. That's a big ass CB lol

 

[rocktopper16]

Running back room is maybe the best in the country. Fellas looking better than the part

 

[DiderotsGhost]

Fingers posted and instantly -- all was right in the world.

 

[Buoyvol2000]

so this is where the party is at?

 

[Other_Guy]

Nice to hear pretty much all good things about everyone.

 

[strongj81]

We're back! Let's go!

Gbo!