Vols Spring Practice #12

[Fingers]

Final open practice before the Orange and White Game on Saturday.

For Thursday, freshman wideout Braylon Staley remained out as he has all week as he deals with a minor injury. Would imagine he’d be very questionable for Saturday’s game. LEO Joshua Josephs was not in pads again this morning. Same for offensive lineman Jackson Lampley who has been out for a little over a week now. Tight end Ethan Davis was not practicing while the media was out there as he’s been limited all week. Offensive tackle John Campbell was practicing today as he returned to action on Tuesday.

Transfer Jakobe Thomas does a great job of rolling his hips through contact and keeping his feet moving. That’s something Tim Banks was making a point of during the drill, to not have dead feet on contact.

Dylan Sampson and DeSean Bishop continue to look comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield while the others were getting coached up by De’Rail Sims. Later, the backs were drilling some pass-pro, working on picking up a blitzing linebacker or edge rusher in the backfield.

Quarterbacks threw the ball well today. Nico connected on several tight spirals in the redzone period, one being a really nice catch where Dont’e Thornton climbed the ladder to make a nice catch in the back of the endzone. I [personally] thought Jake Merklinger had his best day throwing the ball while we were out here. He was quick, decisive and had some velocity behind his throws.

e.cain

From a lineup standpoint, it was the same that we’ve seen for a while, but it’s worth a refresher ahead of Saturday – so you’re prepared and to see if and how the Vols mix and match in the spring game.

The first group has Lance Heard at left tackle, Shamurad Umarov at left guard, Vysen Lang at center, Dayne Davis at right guard and John Campbell Jr. at right tackle. The second group has Gage Ginther at left tackle, Max Anderson at left guard, William Satterwhite, Ayden Bussell at right guard and Larry Johnson III at right tackle. Jesse Perry was repping at left tackle and Trevor Duncan repped at right tackle.

DeSean Bishop slipped on his break and couldn’t catch the pass, and had to redo the drill. Khalifa Keith also had to do it again after a drop. Both of those backs will get plenty of work (running and catching) on Saturday.

The highlight of the red-zone routes-on-air work (ball snapped from the 7) was a nice snag by Dont’e Thornton Jr. on a slant in the back of the end zone with a manager slamming him with a blocking pad as he landed. Even in a practice setting, it was the kind of full-extension, away-from-the-body catch that a confident player makes. It’s been a good spring for Thornton as he’s been healthy and more comfortable.

The outside receivers ran slants and the slots (well, Squirrel White, the only scholarship slot) ran whip routes where they broke off an out route and darted back inside. Kaleb Webb followed up Thornton and White with catches from Nico Iamaleava. Gaston Moore threw completions to Chas Nimrod and Chris Brazzell II, who we rarely see drop a pass in these drills, and Jake Merklinger airmailed a throw to fellow freshman Mike Matthews.

The tight ends got some work on the two-man sled as they continue to emphasize blocking. Transfers Miles Kitselman and Holden Staes are leading that group, but you’ll also see some walk-ons on Saturday in Luke Shouse, Charlie Browder and Titus Rohrer.

With Pili in non-contact, you could see Jeremiah Telander plenty as the Mike linebacker on Saturday. The sophomore is a player on the rise and he’s connected well with new position coach William Inge, who on Tuesday hailed his calming influence in the middle of the defense. Kalib Perry and Jalen Smith also will get plenty of run, and we’ll get to see bull-in-a-china-shop freshman Edwin Spillman.

The safeties ran through a drill on Thursday that saw them bail in coverage of jamming a receiver in the slot. The DBs broke to the flat then flipped their hips to turn inside and keep their eyes on the quarterback before breaking on a pass back in the flat. Jourdan Thomas led off the drill and was praised for how he did, transfer Jakobe Thomas had to go through the drill again and freshman Boo Carter looked effortlessly athletic and made a nice catch on a high throw.

p.brown

Carter continues to go through non-contact drills with the rest of the linebackers. Looks like he's going full speed, but again, not wearing helmet or shoulder pads.

Nico and Dont'e Thornton Jr. continue to show a good connection. Completed a every pass (that I saw) to him during red zone drills.

Squirrel White had a nice, toe-tapping catch in the back corner of the end zone during red zone. Pass was thrown by Nico.

Mike Matthews high pointed a ball in the back corner and got the foot down on a pass from Merklinger.

Boo Carter continues to look the part. Had a couple of nice snags that he had to go high for during DB drills.

Could say the same for Edrees Farooq today.

Keenan Pili was in a red jersey today. First time seeing that. He was in full pads and helmet though and was going full speed in all of the drills that we were able to see.

n.taylor

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

Am I First?!
Thanks Fingers!

 

[VolFanNC09]

first page!

I am liking what I and hearing in Nico and Thornton as well as how Boo Carter has been doing. I am starting to drink the orange Kool-Aid now.

 

[Hurley Mooncalf]

Once again, Fingers delivers.

 

[RockyTop140]

Glad to hear Thornton is having a nice spring. Need him to have a good season

 

[strongj81]

Made first page! Gbo!

 

[LaagerVol]

I think I’m gonna love watching Spillman and Boo Carter play defense.

 

[barrylee]

Will we ever see a practice report that Ethan Davis is a full go?

Guy has all world potential but rarely out there. Maybe they’re being cautious, I hope that’s what it is..

 

[ENGRVOL]

Really hoped we would see Davis and Staley in the O&W game but looking less likely. Will be tough assessing the o-line on Saturday but looking forward to seeing how our tackles play against this d-line. Can’t wait for Saturday. Just hope to see 0 injuries

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Fanks Thingers

 

[TAF]

Tight end Ethan Davis Has this kid EVER been "Healthy"??!!

 

[Vol524]

Thanks Fingers!

 

[WillisWG]

I think I’m gonna love watching Spillman and Boo Carter play defense.

I am getting a Wilson-Little vibe about Spillman and a Berry vibe about Carter. May be wishful thinking but sure makes for a goodnight sleep.

 

[sreveisVol]

Boo is going to get himself a pick6 or two this season. Dude is quick on that come back drill

 

[WillisWG]

Will we ever see a practice report that Ethan Davis is a full go?

Guy has all world potential but rarely out there. Maybe they’re being cautious, I hope that’s what it is..

August.....jk


The Vols welcome back redshirt freshman Ethan Davis, who possesses the size and athleticism to make a major impact. Davis bulked up significantly and has a better grasp of the offense in his second season.

"This spring, he's done such a great job," Abeln said of Davis. "One, getting his body right. I think he was 242 last week, and he's so comfortable now with where to be and what to do. There's still a detail in everything that he has to continue to clean up, but I've told him this, he's going to be an elite player in the core. He has so much twitch, pop. He's not scared of anything.

Tight End Rotation Taking Shape For Tennessee This Spring - University of Tennessee Athletics

A revamped tight end room featuring two major transfers and one returning redshirt freshman is taking shape for the Tennessee football team, who completed its 10th

utsports.com

 

[zeppelin128]

Where's practice reporter that was like:

"Nico threw a pass."

"Receiver caught ball."

"Josh coached."

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Will we ever see a practice report that Ethan Davis is a full go?

Guy has all world potential but rarely out there. Maybe they’re being cautious, I hope that’s what it is..

"Tight end Ethan Davis was not practicing while the media was out there as he’s been limited all week." From the report above.

Isn't Davis a redshirt freshman? I want to see him in action, too, but there is plenty of time and opportunities ahead.

 

[OrangeShades]

That "Bull in a China Shop" comment about Spillman has my orange blood brewing! Woooweee GBO!

 

[OrangeShades]

Oh by the way...I made the first page. GBO!

 

[TMvol10]

I know it’s spring practice, and we say this most years, but DANG we have a lot of guys banged up and missing important practice time

 

[10th Mountain VOL]

Tight end Ethan Davis Has this kid EVER been "Healthy"??!!

I was thinking the same thing about Keenan Pili

I don't think either will last the season without injury

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Once again, Fingers delivers.

There you go you sneaky thing, trying to turn Fingers into a mail carrier.

 

[Rockvegas]

Thank you Fingers

 

[OrangeShades]

Does anyone have any concerns about the LB corps besides me? I don't think I have heard much in depth talk about that group.

 

[AllVol11717]

I know it’s spring practice, and we say this most years, but DANG we have a lot of guys banged up and missing important practice time

A lot of guys will be held out of spring practices with injuries they would normally play through in the fall. Practice reps are important but health even more so. Better to be overly cautious during this time of the year