Vols Fall Practice #7

[Fingers]

The biggest development we saw this morning was All-SEC cornerback Jermod McCoy jumping into position drills for a couple of periods.

There were two new red jerseys out there this morning: Cornerback Colton Hood and offensive lineman Brian Grant.

SPECIAL TEAMS WORK
Freshman running back Justin Baker, freshman defensive back Timothy Merritt and redshirt freshman linebacker Jordan Burns were three players who earned praise from coaches for good reps.

The quarterback faked a handoff and looked downfield before following their progressions and finding the running backs. Running backs coach De’Rail Sims was very animated about the details, but aside from Baker dropping a pass right in his hands, the rest of the group (DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis, Star Thomas and Daune Morris) each had good reps through the quick period.

The order at quarterback that we saw was mostly Jake Merklinger, Joey Aguilar and George MacIntyre with some variation between the top two in terms of who they were throwing to based on the routes.

Aguilar threw accurately to Kitselman, Travis Smith Jr. and Radarious Jackson before he was wide of Amari Jefferson in the flat, and he later threw too high for Mike Matthews on a slant in the back of the end zone.

Merklinger looked to have a pretty solid session, but MacIntyre threw it the best and his accuracy was really sharp. His throw on the out-breaking whip route to freshman Joakim Dodson (after Aguilar’s miss) was pinpoint. The freshman quarterback rarely put a pass in the wrong spot.

Leading the line at wideout were Matthews, Jefferson and Trey Weary with Smith, Dodson and Radarious Jackson behind them.

p.brown

We’ll start in the defensive backfield where Jalen McMurray was seen working with the STARs during individual periods. He, of course, has versatility to his game and has also been working at cornerback some in fall camp. Boo Carter is there and going through drills as normal for the third-straight practice.

At cornerback, Colton Hood was in a red non-contact jersey and Jermod McCoy was working individuals for the first time in fall camp. He was wearing a helmet but no shoulder pads.

Marcus Goree and Colin Brazzell also were seen getting some more work at corner.

On the offensive side, Sam Pendleton was back in the fold while the media was on hand. Bennett Warren is getting work at both right and left tackle during indy periods. Tennessee was down one tight end, however, as Jack Van Dorselaer was out and will miss Saturday’s scrimmage.

It was another good day of work in routes on air for the Tennessee passing game. Not many balls were hitting the ground on balls thrown from the 10-yard line in. Joey Aguilar and Jake Merklinger alternated going first in drills with George MacIntye going third. Both Aguilar and Merklinger had some zip on the football and threw accurate footballs today.

Miles Kitselman had a nice catch over the middle on a ball that was high. Radarious Jackson was getting some one-on-one coaching from a GA after one of his redzone reps. He also made a nice catch in the period as well, stretching well out to haul in a ball thrown by Merklinger. During individuals, the quarterbacks and running backs were going through mesh drills out of the pistol formation.

Quarterbacks repped some throws on the the run to begin practice. Aguilar continues to look comfortable in that regard. MacIntyre also has shown that could be a strength to his game.

Merklinger was wearing the go-pro today. Ben Bolton on defense had the camera on today as well.

e.cain

Peyton Lewis, DeSean Bishop and Star Thomas all look like solid contributors.

Counting the throws to running backs and routes on air, Jake Merklinger completed 17-of-18 passes, Joey Aguilar completed 15-of-18 passes and George MacIntyre completed 16-of-17 passes. Thought both Travis Smith Jr. and Radarious Jackson made some nice snags as did Kitselman on a Merklinger throw that was a bit high.

Aguilar overthrew Matthews on an in route and misfired a pass to Tommy Winton Jr. Merklinger overthrew an out route.

I watched Tennessee’s quarterbacks work on some throw on the run drills during the start of practice. MacIntyre throws the best ball on the run of the quarterback group. Merklinger had one really bad throw on the run but was solid besides that. Lastly, Merklinger was wearing the GoPro during the open portions of practice.

On the offensive line, Jesse Perry was getting some starting reps at right guard beside David Sanders Jr. Bennett Warren was working at the left tackle spot as Lance Heard’s backup.

I was unable to spot Rickey Gibson III or Josh Josephs as they remain sidelined at practice. Colton Hood was in a red non contact jersey but was going through drills like normal.

William Wright and Emmanuel Okoye were both fully dressed out and stretching with the team but were working off to the side when the team moved outside.

Marcus Goree, McCoy, Hood, Tre Poteat and Colin Brazzell were working with the cornerbacks during the open portions of practice.

During safety drills, Edrees Farooq continues to work in the first team with Andre Turrentine during the open portions of practice. Farooq is battling with Kaleb Beasley for the starting spot besides Turrentine though both will likely play.

r.schumpert

 

[WillisWG]

Good news on McCoy


QB competition.... Merk looks to me to be ahead

Counting the throws to running backs and routes on air, Jake Merklinger completed 17-of-18 passes, Joey Aguilar completed 15-of-18 passes and George MacIntyre completed 16-of-17 passes. Thought both Travis Smith Jr. and Radarious Jackson made some nice snags as did Kitselman on a Merklinger throw that was a bit high.


"Edrees Farooq continues to work in the first team with Andre Turrentine" impressive

 

[Mr. Tri Star]

go big orange

 

[perico]

Good news on McCoy


QB competition.... Merk looks to me to be ahead

Counting the throws to running backs and routes on air, Jake Merklinger completed 17-of-18 passes, Joey Aguilar completed 15-of-18 passes and George MacIntyre completed 16-of-17 passes. Thought both Travis Smith Jr. and Radarious Jackson made some nice snags as did Kitselman on a Merklinger throw that was a bit high.


"Edrees Farooq continues to work in the first team with Andre Turrentine" impressive

According to Pete Nakos, Aguilar is leading.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

PHANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[joevol33]

Finally the first page, and right after pepper! Thanks Fingers!

 

[TAF]

 

[WillisWG]

According to Pete Nakos, Aguilar is leading.

Pete may want to give E. Cain a call

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

Still too early to tell, as we know QBs are totally different under the lights compared to the practice field. However, the legend of the Merkslinger is starting to grow already.

Speaking of Merk and Aguilar, everybody's favorite FB leaker / dubious source Sparks said the rumbling is that Merk is a little more polished than the spring and is actively helping Aguilar learn more about the basics offense. He embraced Aguilar joining the team and enjoys the competition as iron sharpens iron. He is seen as a great teammate and growing leader in that group, while Aguilar is doing everything he can to learn. However, there is some criticism from the staff that Merk should know the full playbook by now and we are still a little handicapped by his processing of the overall book.

This battle will spill over into the regular season. I think we will all be arguing about who should be playing for some time.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Finally the first page, and right after pepper! Thanks Fingers!

3
2
1

FANKS THINGERS!!!!!

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

I have some hope that our hidden gems and young talent are going to have a breakout season. As others have mentioned, on paper this is one of the most balanced and talented teams that we have had on Rocky Top in a long time. Heupel and co are doing what they can to keep young talent involved as now with the portal it becomes "use them or lose them" as some folks seek starting positions at lesser schools instead of working and waiting for their turn.

Still feels like an 8-4 year, but I think we may be in for a pleasant surprise if we can see some production from the talented youth on the team.

 

[mitzustu]

Pete may want to give E. Cain a call

Nakos earned everyone’s respect during the Nico deal. And tons of other spot on reports during that period. Hes well connected inside the program. He knows how to network.

 

[HeuperDrive]

Regardless of who wins the starting job, I’m happy that Merk is fighting for the starting job. Shows he has the will to fight for something he really wants. This battle should only help him grow as a QB.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Regardless of who wins the starting job, I’m happy that Merk is fighting for the starting job. Shows he has the will to fight for something he really wants. This battle should only help him grow as a QB.

He was a pretty big prospect coming out of HS. Top 10 QB nationally iirc.

 

[Vol_guy]

Sims has be ready to run through a brick wall!!

Will someone hook Telander up with some towels? LOL

 

[JCVol00]

According to Pete Nakos, Aguilar is leading.

When did he say this?

 

[25vol]

Something about Merk stealing the job from Joey would just be hilarious and awesome. Quiet kid, gets overlooked, then just takes it. Even if he doesn’t, Joey’s gonna be better for it.

Meanwhile Nico’s over there ant UCLA and here last year with the golden ticket. No threat, no pressure, no real chance he ever loses the job. Real healthy competition and I’m sure it drives him to succeed /s

 

[WillisWG]

Nakos earned everyone’s respect during the Nico deal. And tons of other spot on reports during that period. Hes well connected inside the program. He knows how to network.

He made some bones in that reporting no doubt. I'm not as well connected as Pete but to me Merk looks ahead. CJH presser after tomorrows scrimmage may give a better idea who's head.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Who is Pete Nachos?

 

[RiseToTheTop]

farooq gonna be a good one

 

[#1HomeGrownUTVOL]

Good news on McCoy


QB competition.... Merk looks to me to be ahead

Counting the throws to running backs and routes on air, Jake Merklinger completed 17-of-18 passes, Joey Aguilar completed 15-of-18 passes and George MacIntyre completed 16-of-17 passes. Thought both Travis Smith Jr. and Radarious Jackson made some nice snags as did Kitselman on a Merklinger throw that was a bit high.


"Edrees Farooq continues to work in the first team with Andre Turrentine" impressive

It’s crazy because Pete Nakos( Spelling sorry) is reporting that Joey is getting most of the reps with the ones. I know the other media guys only see so much and they only report what they see but evidently their sources within the program saying JA is getting most of the first team reps take that with a grain of salt, but there are reports of it.

 

[Volfan76]

Why does that football team only have one go pro? I don't understand why everybody including smokey doesn't have a go pro.

 

[WillisWG]

When did he say this?

First this

On3’s Pete Nakos dropped an update on Wednesday on the Tennessee Vols’ ongoing starting quarterback battle.

Tennessee, which is having a quarterback competition due to the unexpected departure of Nico Iamaleava in the spring, is featuring a battle between UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, and true freshman George MacIntyre.

According to Nakos’ sources, the battle is down to Aguilar and Merklinger.

“Tennessee’s competition seems to be a battle between Joey Aguilar and Jake Merklinger, per sources,” wrote Nakos. “True freshman George Macintyre has been running with the third team to this point.”

https://atozsports.com/nashville/volunteers/college-football-insider-drops-update-on-tennessee-vols-starting-quarterback-battle/

Then today

Earlier this week, On3's Pete Nakos reported that it appears that Tennessee's starting quarterback battle is down to Aguilar and Merklinger (MacIntyre still needs to add some weight to his frame -- that's the biggest thing holding him back in this battle).

On Friday, Nakos went a step further and reported that one source told him that Aguilar currently "has the edge" for the starting job.

"A source told On3 that Aguilar has been 'solid' and his experience has flashed," wrote Nakos. "Tennessee still has to get through its first scrimmage and see how Aguilar and Merklinger compete, but at this point, the former UCLA and App State transfer has the edge, per sources."

MSN

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Why does that football team only have one go pro? I don't understand why everybody including smokey doesn't have a go pro.

They probably have multiple go pros but only one given at a time to make the QB of the moment feel special.

 

[WillisWG]

It’s crazy because Pete Nakos( Spelling sorry) is reporting that Joey is getting most of the reps with the ones. I know the other media guys only see so much and they only report what they see but evidently their sources within the program saying JA is getting most of the first team reps take that with a grain of salt, but there are reports of it.

He could have details on what's happening after the media leaves but who knows. Just looking at completion rates being posted Merk looks ahead. But hey it's Day 7.