Notes: Several Vols Absent at Tuesday Practice Session

With Tennessee having played four games in 2019, there were plenty of rumors swirling around a couple of players potentially entering the transfer portal after Saturday’s loss to Florida.

Three players who had been rumored to enter the portal weren’t at practice come Tuesday afternoon, and two of them have reportedly put their names in the portal since. Wide receiver Jacquez Jones and inside linebacker Shannon Reid were not at practice to begin Tennessee’s bye week. Shortly after practice, it was reported that Jones and Reid had entered the transfer portal.

Junior inside linebacker Will Ignont was also not at practice, but he has not yet officially entered the transfer portal. Ignont did not travel to Gainesville over the weekend, and Jeremy Pruitt was noticeably quiet about his absence after Tennessee’s loss to the Gators on Saturday.

As a result of Reid and Ignont’s absences, freshman Aaron Beasley was back working with Kevin Sherrer and the inside linebackers after moving back to the secondary. The inside linebacker rotation consisted of Henry To’oto’o and Daniel Bituli working as the starters, Jeremy Banks and Solon Page working on the second team, and J.J. Peterson working with the third team.

There were also rumors surrounding running back Tim Jordan, offensive lineman Jahmir Johnson and wide receiver Tyler Byrd potentially putting their names in the portal. All three were at practice, however. Jordan worked at the front of running back line, and Byrd worked with the receivers. Johnson worked off to the side with the medical staff on a bike.

Senior tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson did not practice. Wood-Anderson was battling a foot injury last week and missed the early week’s worth of practices before returning mid-week.

The quarterbacks went through their normal rotation of reps on Tuesday. Jarrett Guarantano took the first rep with JT Shrout by his side, then Brian Maurer would step in. All three quarterbacks looked good during routes-versus-air. Guarantano had a little more pep in his step than normal and was more vocal.

Jim Chaney was more involved with the quarterbacks than usual rather than sticking around with the offensive line like he has in most other practices.

Defensive lineman Emmit Gooden was back in full pads, though he was simply working with the medical staff on a bike.

Tennessee will be back on the practice field on Wednesday for another open portion of practice.