Vols Spring Practice #11

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Fingers

Fingers

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Offensive linemen Cooper Mays and Jackson Lampley were still not practicing today. Both missed the Thursday scrimmage as well. John Campbell was back and present while the media was in attendance. Joshua Josephs was not a full-go today as he deals with a minor hamstring issue. He was off to the side not in shoulder pads getting some work in. James Pearce, whose been limited some the past few weeks, was practicing today. Receiver Nathan Leacock was getting some work done after returning to the practice field in week two of drills. Wideout Braylon Staley was not out there while the media was present.
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Jermod McCoy and Jalen McMurray were embracing the physicality on the tackling sled.
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In talking amongst the three of us (Brent, AP, Cainer) we agreed that Nico Iamaleava might have had his best day throwing the football in routes on air. Not that he’s had bad days this spring, but he was on point Tuesday morning. In the same breath, Chris Brazzell might have looked as good as he’s looked so far this morning as well – and he’s been coming along. HE was getting plenty of praise from Kelsey Pope during individual.
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Speaking of Nico and the quarterbacks, they were practicing throwing on the rollout this morning as well. The receives were running some different variations of combination routes that we haven’t seen much of as well. Again, a lot of teaching and working through some things at a slower pace to begin practice this morning.
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He may have slipped us and been out here, but again, we didn’t see freshman wideout Braylon Staley today. What we did see was Chas Nimrod running a few quotes out of the slot in his place. Remember, Nimrod was the second slot receiver towards the end of the season when the Vols had some injury issues and were thin.
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Freshman running back Peyton Lewis – who remains out – was seen doing a little running around this morning. It’s more than we’ve seen him do all spring as he works to be in as good of shape when summer rolls around. He must hit the ground running, no pun intended. The tight ends were working with medicine balls today, which simulates getting hands on a shooting defensive end for a block down.
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e.cain

LEO Joshua Josephs and running back Cameron Seldon (in a bulky Ultrasling) were working alongside the group of injured/limited players on the side with the strength staff. The Vols looked a little light at wide receiver as we didn’t see Braylon Staley or Chas Nimrod during routes-on-air. Linebacker Arion Carter continues to go through the turnover circuit and position drills without shoulder pads as he remains non-contact.
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Nico Iamaleava is very comfortable throwing on the run, of course. He is accurate on the move and can put some heat on the football. He threw a couple of strikes on his reps on this drill, and Kaleb Webb, Chris Brazzell II, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Mike Matthews all executed the route well – the freshman in particular looked very fluid changing directions on a dime.
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The slots worked on some crossing routes with Squirrel White plucking a slightly low throw at full speed on his rep.
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Head coach Josh Heupel set the tone for practice as he gathered the team around him between stretch and individual drills. Usually the players stand for this quick address, but the team took a knee this time. Heupel was spirited, shall we say, delivering a quick message to his players to lock in and not waste the day of practice.
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p.brown

Spraggins was moving really well
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Couldn't find Ethan Davis, intern for the team said they thought they saw him earlier, though
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Nico looked good, connected well with Brazzell
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Tyree Weathersby is someone to watch, looked explosive
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You can see the playmaking ability in Boo Carter
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r.sylvia

Let’s start with the running backs where I watched that group work up close for the first time this spring. It’s a thin group with both Cam Seldon and early enrollee freshman Peyton Lewis sidelined. Dylan Sampson led the way in reps followed by DeSean Bishop, Patrick Wilk, Hunter Barnes and Khalifa Keith.
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After a sloppy routes on air portion of practice on Saturday, Tennessee was much more crisp going through the drill on Tuesday. That was especially the case when Nico Iamaleava was throwing. He was efficient and accurate with the football on Tuesday.
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With Davis out, Iamaleava threw to Notre Dame tight end transfer Holden Staes on Saturday. On Tuesday, Iamaleava threw to Alabama transfer tight end Miles Kitselman.
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Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell dropped one pass from Gaston Moore and Tennessee receiver’s coach Kelsey Pope jumped on the talented receiver.
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Tennessee’s linebackers were working on some edge rushing drills as well as some pass coverage drills. Keenan Pili and sophomore Jeremiah Telander were leading the way for the drills.
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It was normal footwork practice for Tennessee’s defensive backs. Highly touted early enrollee safety Boo Carter was getting some footwork instructions from coaches and responded well in the ensuing reps.
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Dominic Bailey, Tyre West and Tyree Weathersby were all working with the strong side defensive ends. Rodney Garner was giving West some hands on coaching about his hand placement during a block shedding drill.
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Daevin Hobbs worked at defensive tackle during the open portion of practice. He’s a versatile sophomore who could play either spot and continues to be a breakout candidate ahead of the 2024 season.
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r.schumpert
 
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#7
#7
Coach Tim Banks is WORKIN' HARD...to build himself into the Defensive version of Jim Cheney Body...of Work...

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#17
#17
Oh so that's where those trash cans went.... I can't wait for college football season.
 
#20
#20
So if the scouting report on Nico is his accuracy on the run, as well as his ability to run, I would expect DCs would have their DEs rushing up field initially and focusing on contain.

That, in turn, would put a premium on OTs who excel forcing that DE to continue rushing up field and past the pocket. (Like we often saw happen to our DEs three seasons ago!)

I'm gonna love having a QB who forces the defense to account for him laterally instead of vertically! I think that better favors this offense.
 
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#23
#23
SoullessGinger32_ said:
The man said he wants to get to every position on defense 😂. Big Banks fan though I think he will show this season why he's getting paid what he is
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Banks is worth every dime. We have objectively improved on defense every season since he has been here...in pretty much EVERY meaningful stat and national ranking. Visibly improved despite the fact that we had a juggernaut offense with Hooker and a less than stellar offense with Milton putting more stress on the defense. He had very little talent to work with when he got here especially at DB and LB ... and had to coach around some pretty serious deficiencies if we are being honest. We are LOADED on the Dline this season...maybe best in the nation...and significantly faster in the secondary though they are mostly young and inexperienced. That Dline should be able to help with that though...no QBs standing back there forever anymore for sure. We are coming off of a shutout in a Jan6 bowlgame and our defense should be even better this season.

I am SO excited for ball this season. Cannot wait for kickoff. G0 VOLS!!!
 
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#25
#25
marcusluvsvols said:
Banks is worth every dime. We have objectively improved on defense every season since he has been here...in pretty much EVERY meaningful stat and national ranking. Visibly improved despite the fact that we had a juggernaut offense with Hooker and a less than stellar offense with Milton putting more stress on the defense. He had very little talent to work with when he got here especially at DB and LB ... and had to coach around some pretty serious deficiencies if we are being honest. We are LOADED on the Dline this season...maybe best in the nation...and significantly faster in the secondary though they are mostly young and inexperienced. That Dline should be able to help with that though...no QBs standing back there forever anymore for sure. We are coming off of a shutout in a Jan6 bowlgame and our defense should be even better this season.

I am SO excited for ball this season. Cannot wait for kickoff. G0 VOLS!!!
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Truth be told, we've been getting him for pretty cheap. He's on his original contract with only a roll over. Even though we've been winning and defense has improved dramatically year after year, he's not received raises or extensions like the rest of the staff.....I wonder why, especially since he's probably had one of the toughest jobs and Heupel has the best defense he's ever had as a head coach.

Even Lane Kiffin gave his DC a raise after their 11-2 season and the defense wasn't as good as ours for our 11-2 season. Kiffin ain't crazy, he knows how hard his DC has to work to help them win......😁.... we haven't got there yet....as a fan base or administration.
 
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