Tennessee hit the practice field on Tuesday afternoon to continue its preparation for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State. Multiple NFL scouts were in attendance, including the Pittsburgh Steelers.
All eyes were on the inside linebackers as freshman Quavaris Crouch worked with the unit. Crouch had been working out at outside linebacker, but he made the switch on Tuesday afternoon in an effort to bolster depth after the losses of Shannon Reid, Will Ignont, and Jeremy Banks. Daniel Bituli and Henry To’o To’o remained the first team linebackers, while J.J. Peterson and Quavaris Crouch worked on the second team. Aaron Beasley and Solon Page were third.
With extra padding around his ribs, Brian Maurer took most of the first team reps at quarterbacks. At times, Jarrett Guarantano worked second. Other times, JT Shrout did. When both quarterbacks took reps at the same time, it was Maurer and Guarantano. All things point to Maurer still being the starter on Saturday as of right now.
Redshirt sophomore Princeton Fant was working with the wide receivers. Fant had been working with the tight ends and has moved around several different times in his UT career thus far.
Along the offensive line, Riley Locklear, Jahmir Johnson, and K’Rojhn Calbert were all dressed out, though Locklear didn’t do anything but observe drills. Locklear is being eased into things following a head injury he suffered against Georgia. Johnson has been dealing with a knee injury and went through drills, though he was noticeably limited.
With Locklear banged up, redshirt junior Ryan Johnson and freshman Chris Akporoghene received reps at right guard. Akporghene has been injured to start the year, but he’s getting more run in practice now.
On the opposite line of scrimmage, Aubrey Solomon was a full participant during drills after also getting banged up against Georgia. Pruitt mentioned during his Monday press conference that the Michigan transfer has been dealing with a shoulder and a knee injury all season. Solomon watched mostly during the three-man D-line drills, however, while Greg Emerson, LaTrell Bumphus, and Matthew Butler were the first team defensive line.
Tennessee will be back out on the practice field on Wednesday afternoon for another open portion of practice.
