Tennessee was back on the practice field on Saturday afternoon for their second day of fall camp under Jeremy Pruitt. It was just as hot, if not hotter, than yesterday’s practice, but the intensity didn’t waver.
Here are our notes and observations from the Vols’ second day on the practice field this fall:
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- We’ll start off with the quarterback battle. Today, at least from what we got to see in the open portion of practice, I thought the two main competitors, Keller Chryst and Jarrett Guarantano, were a little more even than yesterday. Guarantano threw a few passes behind his targets down the field, but overall he still looked more improved as a passer. Chryst still didn’t have as much zip on his passes, but he was more consistent today than on Friday. He completed some nice crossing routes and had a good rhythm.
- There were still quite a few balls that hit the ground today during passing drills. But a lot of them, at least a lot of the ones I saw anyway, were more on the receivers than they were the quarterbacks. Latrell Williams had a noticeable drop, as did Jordan Murphy. From what I got to see, Tyler Byrd had a good day during the open portion of practice.
- Dominick Wood-Anderson sure can move for his size. He glides down the field very well, and he should be dangerous in the passing game. I was fairly impressed with how well Ja’Quain Blakely moved too, and he’s definitely been working on his hands. James Brown looks very athletic and can catch well, but he still needs to add on weight.
- On defense, Jonathan Kongbo is still adjusting to playing as an outside linebacker rather than a defensive end. He still needs to improve his footwork, but he’s getting more explosive off his planting foot. He has the raw athleticism you want from a pass rusher, but he just needs to shore up his technique.
- Austin Smith and Darrell Taylor look more natural at that position, and I look forward to seeing more of what they’re going to do this fall. Both of them have great tenacity and explosion. Jordan Allen moves well too.
- Quart’e Sapp looks like an absolute monster on the field. He and Daniel Bituli look like what you would create if you were designing the perfect template of an SEC linebacker. Both can move well, and Bituli has surprisingly good hands for an inside linebacker.
- Todd Kelly Jr. doesn’t seem like he’s lost a step from the injury that kept him out for most of last season. He’s back and moving quickly down the field in safety drills, looking lighter on his feet than ever. He’s still not going to wow you with his speed necessarily, but he looks healthy.
