Tennessee hit Haslam Field on a cool August morning for its 11th practice of fall camp and its final practice before the second scrimmage of fall camp.
Josh Heupel gave the media a Saturday present, letting us watch red zone one-on-ones between defensive backs and receivers/tight ends.
Before we get to the results of the red zone competition, we’ll detail some injury notes and other details from practice.
Here’s our observations from Tennessee’s eleventh fall practice.
Offense
Squirrel White dressed in shells Saturday while being a limited participant at practice. White went through stretches but didn’t participate in drill work. Fellow slot receiver Jimmy Calloway was absent from Saturday’s practice.
The Vols have more depth at slot receiver than any other receiver spot, but with Calloway and White temporarily sidelined that depth is gone. That almost certainly means more practice reps for Jalin Hyatt. Does Tennessee give Walker Merrill some slot work while they’re absent? The mid state native played slot as a freshman before moving out wide this offseason.
Jaylen Wright was fully dressed out and going through drills. It’ll be interesting to see if he scrimmages Sunday after being banged up for much of fall camp.
Not much to report from the offensive line. Everyone was available and working Saturday morning as the left tackle competition roars on.
Tennessee’s quarterbacks and receivers worked on red zone route trees before making their way to the other end zone to compete against the defense.
Defense
Let’s start in the secondary where Kamal Hadden was dressed in a non contact jersey, shorts and no helmet. Hadden went through stretches but no more on Saturday morning. Freshman Christian Harrison was the same—in a non contact jersey but not participating in any drill work while we were at practice.
Cheyenne LaBruzza was in a red no contact jersey but did participate in some drills, including the red zone one-on-ones.
Solon Page III has been limited at practice the last few days before putting on the red no contact jersey Saturday morning. He was active participating in drills while we watched.
Defensive tackle Elijah Simmons did not participate in the open portion of practice— a common theme the second week of fall camp.
While on the defensive linemen, I’m really impressed by freshmen Jordan Phillips and Tyre West. I’m unsure how much the duo can produce in their first collegiate seasons, but I expect both will be major pieces on the interior of Tennessee’s defensive line in coming years.
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Receivers /Tight ends vs. Defensive Backs in 1-on-1
I did my best to record the results of every rep — 16 in total — while the Vols’ worked with their normal pace in a stationary drill. Needless to say, it was difficult to get every detail down in time to watch the next rep. So some reps I may miss the defensive back, route or the quarterback. Apologies for that.
Ramel Keyton started the drill by hauling in a Hooker pass on a contested fade route. Brandon Turnage was in coverage.
Princeton Fant toasted Trevon Flowers on an out route before hauling in a Hooker pass.
Warren Burrell blanketed Cedric Tillman on a fade route as Hooker’s pass fell incomplete.
Walker Merrill beat a defensive back on a slant route but dropped Joe Milton’s pass to promptly do push ups in the back of the end zone.
Andre Turrentine recovered from a bad first step to break up a Joe Milton pass on a fade route.
Christian Charles deflected a Tayven Jackson fade route intended for Jimmy Holliday.
Jackson quickly recovered by throwing a beautiful back shoulder fade that Bru McCoy hauled in over walk-on Trel Riley.
Tamarion McDonald broke up another Tayven Jackson pass.
Jack Jancek easily beat Dee Williams on a slant route, leading to Tim Banks chewing out Williams. Kaleb Webb ran a beautiful fade route, beating De’Shawn Rucker for the catch. The quarterback for those two reps was either Navy Shuler or Gaston Moore.
Romello Edwards broke up a Hooker pass.
Jacob Warren made the play of the drill, mossing a defensive back on a Moore pass.
Tillman won his second battle with Burrell, hauling in a pass on a well guarded slant.
Grant Frerking beat his man for a catch on a fade route.
Jalin Hyatt had Wesley Walker beat on a fade route but Milton under threw it allowing Walker to recover and breakup the pass.
Riley broke up a Hooker fade to Merrill.
