Vols Spring Practice #1

[Fingers]

Notably, junior cornerback Rickey Gibson was the the practice field

The names below is a list of early enrollees and transfers with thier uniform numbers they’re rocking this spring.


15. George MacIntyre QB
26. Sidney Walton DB
27. Ty Redmond DB
28. Justin Baker RB
31. Daune Morris RB
33. Star Thomas
34. Dylan Lewis DB
35. Timothy Merritt DB
36. Tre Poteat DB
39. Jayden Loftin DL
41. Jadon Perlotte LB
46. Christian Gass DL
47. Isaiah Campbell DL
48. Jaedon Harmon LB
52. Mariyon Dye DL
55. Brendan Anes LB
56. Sam Pendleton OL
70. David Sanders Jr. OL
74. Nic Moore LB
75. Wendell Moe Jr. OL
80. Travis Smith WR
81. Amari Jefferson WR
84. Radarious Jackson WR
88. DaSaahn Brame TE
89. Jack Van Dorselaer TE
97. Ethan Utley DL

Nico Iamaleava did throw some good passes while we were out there, specifically on the slant and on some out routes. Amri Jefferson was working in the slot. It looks like Ethan Davis has had a good offseason as he looks more defined. Transfer offensive lineman Wendall Moe Jr. is a big guy – that was evident. Sam Pendleton appeared to be working at guard on Friday while William Satterwhite, Max Anderson and freshman Nic Moore were snapping the football. David Sanders looked sharp in individual drills, showcasing good feet with some sound technique when taking on a block. He was working right tackle.

Willie Martinez made a couple of the young defensive backs redo a rep as it was not to his liking. Rodney Garner was in typical midseason form, as expected. Bryson Eason and Jaxson Moi were leading that group. Jeremiah Telander and Ben Bolton were the first two linebackers up today with Edwin Spillman right behind them. Jaedon Harmon and Jadon Perlotte were not full-speed as they will be limited over spring. At running back, Daune Morris has been putting in the work as he is just a pound or two shy of 200. He looks the part.

-e.cain

Cornerback Jermod McCoy, who suffered a torn ACL while training back home in Texas in January, was riding a stationary bike alongside defensive back Jourdan Thomas, who is still recovering from the significant knee injury he suffered in preseason camp last August, and freshman defensive lineman Christian Gass.

Freshman linebackers Jaedon Harmon and Jadon Perlotte both have slings on their arms and were pulling weighted sleds with them on.

The large group of players on the side included starting linebacker Arion Carter, defensive tackle Daevin Hobbs, safety Christian Charles, redshirt freshman offensive tackle Jeremias Heard, LEO Emmanuel Okoye and freshmen defensive linemen Mariyon Dye and Jayden Loftin.

Five-star freshman David Sanders Jr. worked at right tackle alongside Larry Johnson III and Brian Grant.

Both transfers were working at the guard spots. Sam Pendleton (Notre Dame) was at right guard along with Jesse Perry and Ayden Bussell. Wendell Moe Jr. (Arizona) was at left guard along with Shamurad Umarov and Gage Ginther.

That left redshirt freshmen William Satterwhite and Max Anderson and freshman Nic Moore as the players working at center.

Gibson notably was present and active during the early periods of practice on Friday, but who else was working at cornerback?

Alongside Gibson and Jalen McMurray, who was the No. 3 cornerback and played a lot in 2024, were redshirt freshman Marcus Goree Jr. and freshmen Ty Redmond, Tre Poteat and Timothy Merritt, among others.

-p.brown

Tennessee’s offense is relatively healthy to open up spring practice with just a few injury notes. Second year offensive lineman Jeremias Heard was working off to the side while transfer receiver Amari Jefferson and redshirt freshman tight end Cole Harrison were both in red non contact uniforms. Both Jefferson and Harrison did go through routes on air while practice was open to the media.

The Vols mostly worked on the short passing game during the routes on air portion of practice which led to a relatively efficient session. Nico Iamaleava was working with Mike Matthews, Chris Brazzell, Ethan Davis and Braylon Staley before jumping back in to throw to some walk-ons at the end of each loop through.

Jake Merklinger was Tennessee’s second quarterback followed by early enrollee freshman George MacIntyre. MacIntyre missed a few throws but was solid overall. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel gave MacIntyre some instructions after a couple reps.

The two biggest notes on the defensive side is about who was there: Rickey Gibson III and Boo Carter. Gibson going through spring practice is a big development after he previously announced intentions to enter the transfer portal. Carter wants to play more offense this season but he started the first practice on the defensive side of the field. But who knows, he could have moved over to offense after we left the practice field.

On the injury front, Arion Carter, Christian Charles, Emmanuel Okoye, Daevin Hobbs and freshman Mariyon Dye were working off to the side. Jourdan Thomas, Jermod McCoy and freshman Christian Gass were working on bikes. Both Thomas and McCoy continue to rehab torn ACLs.

One other small note, Gass is listed as a defensive lineman on the roster. Recruiting services had him as a linebacker.

-r.schumpert

Josh Heupel spent the beginning of the practice with the quarterbacks. As he left, he was jogging over toward the defensive backs.

Rickey Gibson III was at practice despite reports saying he intended to enter the transfer portal in the spring window.

Nico Iamaleava looked like he should against air. Throws were where they needed to be. Receivers dropped some of his passes but not to his fault.

Miles Kitselman and Ethan Davis spent a lot of time together. They were talking a lot in between routes. Top two guys in the room so good to see them getting some chemistry.

Mike Matthews looked quick. He seemed like he was a tick faster than a year ago in his route releases. It's against air and before a lot of wear and tear, fwiw.

Mike Keith was here taking it all in. Had a nice baseball natty mug for his coffee.

-rsylvia

 

[RDU VOL#14]

 

[WillisWG]

 

[superdave1984]

I am anxious to see how well MacIntyre does and if he is able to push Nico. I doubt he can take over as starter, but if he is good enough to light a gire under him that is a win in my book.

 

[VAVolsFan2009]

Vols football is back. And so is Fingers. Nice to have you back. That list of newcomers is really something. Great that they are on campus and training. Looking forward to this season. For me, OL will be a key for 2025. Lots to replace. Lots of questions on who will step up. It's time for them to be a factor. Number 1 concern is the depth among the WRs.

 

[LouderVol]

I know its the first day, but I don't like reading that there were enough drops for them to comment on.

 

[WillisWG]

I am anxious to see how well MacIntyre does and if he is able to push Nico. I doubt he can take over as starter, but if he is good enough to light a gire under him that is a win in my book.

Mac's competition is Merklinger not Nico, that's where he needs to push

 

[RockyTop140]

Hoping we read some about Kaleb Beasley at CB. Would be nice if he stepped up this season

 

[VolFanNC09]

Well this snuck up on me!

 

[HooahVol]

I am a big Nico fan but per the first video above Merklinger and MacIntyre looked a lot crisper. It is pretty cold here today so maybe my boy Nico is just tight.

It is early and he is young but I like what I am seeing from Macintyre a lot.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Phanks Thingers.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

@joevol33

 

[griffdog14]

can't believe Gibson is out there

 

[WillisWG]

Tennessee’s practice was open for under 10 minutes on Friday morning so there’s very few notes and obersvations but we do have some quick injury notes and a few more thoughts elsewhere. Let’s dive in.

Tennessee Football Spring Notes And Observations: Practice No. 1 | Rocky Top Insider

Notes and observations from the first Tennessee football spring practice of the 2025 season on March 7 in Knoxville.

www.rockytopinsider.com

On the injury front, Arion Carter, Christian Charles, Emmanuel Okoye, Daevin Hobbs and freshman Mariyon Dye were working off to the side. Jourdan Thomas, Jermod McCoy and freshman Christian Gass were working on bikes. Both Thomas and McCoy continue to rehab torn ACLs.

One other small note, Gass is listed as a defensive lineman on the roster. Recruiting services had him as a linebacker.

 

[joevol33]

Thanks Fingers!

 

[volunator]

Read that Gibson got a better deal and is now staying, is this true?

 

[FranklinVFL]

I know its the first day, but I don't like reading that there were enough drops for them to comment on.

I saw that as well....too many drops last year. Want to see this improve

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Can someone enlighten me on the "hit the spots" drill the LBs are doing at the very end of the first video? It's like a turn and freeze and hold on a spot drill. Is that about the hips or what?

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

I am a big Nico fan but per the first video above Merklinger and MacIntyre looked a lot crisper. It is pretty cold here today so maybe my boy Nico is just tight.

It is early and he is young but I like what I am seeing from Macintyre a lot.

Lol, you saw a few passes against air on Day 1. How can you like or dislike anything you have seen a lot?

 

[zeppelin128]

 

[Adam2014]

Looks like GMAC >>> Merk >>> Nico. Looks like Nico might be third string after watching that performance today.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Man, Christian Charles seems to stay injured. Jourdan Thomas also seems to be having trouble overcoming his knee injury. Hopefully these 2 can get healthy and stay that way this year. GBO

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

If Mac can put it together mentally he will be tough for Brandon to beat out. The talent is there. Qb competition over the next 2-3 years will be daytime emmy worthy.

 

[Vols91]

Read that Gibson got a better deal and is now staying, is this true?

I hope

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Read that Gibson got a better deal and is now staying, is this true?

Don’t know if this is legit or not