Tennessee worked inside the Anderson Training Center on Monday morning for its fifth practice of fall camp and its final practice before putting full pads on.
The first three portions of practice were open to the media meaning we were able to watch only approximately 15 minutes of practices. We did get to see some competitive reps between the offensive line and defensive line as well as linebackers, tight ends and running backs. Still, with that limited of a practice viewing time, there are only so many takeaways that one can glean.
With that, it’s on to the notes and observations.
Offense
Let’s start with injuries and absences which were largely the same as they were during Sunday’s practice. Running back Cam Seldon and walk on receiver Tommy Winton III remained in red non contact jerseys. Mike Matthews went through stretches but wasn’t wearing a helmet and worked off to the side the rest of practice.
Andrej Karic, John Campbell Jr. and Dont’e Thornton were all fully dressed out and went through warmups but were not active participants in practice while we were out on the field. Kaleb Webb was in the same boat on Sunday, but was back on the field going through routes on air, where he had two bad drops, during Monday’s practice.
Webb’s drops were representative of what was a largely sloppy routes on air portion of practice. In fairness, Tennessee was working on more downfield passing including double moves and off script throws from the quarterbacks, but it just wasn’t a sharp period for Nico Iamaleava or the entire offense.
Iamaleava was off on a handful of throws, he had a miscommunication on one rep with Bru McCoy and receivers and tight ends had a few bad drops. It’s only a very small portion of practice that we get to watch so I’m certainly not hitting the panic button or acting like what we’re watching is the most telling thing, but drops have been a somewhat consistent problem for Tulane transfer receiver Chris Brazzell so far this fall during routes on air.
McCoy is a player that continues to look better-and-better. It’s obvious he spent his rehab getting physically stronger in his upper body and I don’t think I’ve been him drop a pass through the first five days of practice.
Of note at the tight end spot, both Notre Dame transfer Holden Staes and Alabama transfer Miles Kitselman worked with Iamaleava during routes on air. It was the first work that Kitselman has gotten with him during that period of practice. Alec Abeln said that Tennessee is going to play three tight ends this season and Kitselman joining Staes and Ethan Davis as players getting reps with Iamaleava seems to prove it.
Over with the offensive line, it continues to be a little bit of an in-and-out rotation for the veterans. It was Campbell and Karic who didn’t get any work while we were at practice for the second straight day after Zalance Heard and Javontez Spraggins were in that boat last week.
Heard has been pretty full go in what we’ve been watching the last few days which is a good sign given he looked a little banged up last week. Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee meets with the media later today so we’ll see what he has to say.
More From RTI: Tennessee Football Is Recruiting The Quarterback Position At An Elie Level
Defense
Things stayed the same on the injuries and absences note on Monday. Cornerback Jalen McMurray as well as freshman linebackers linebackers Jordan Burns and Grier Short (walk on) were not in pads and worked off to the side after going through stretches.
Jourdan Thomas obviously wasn’t out there after suffering a season ending knee injury during Saturday’s practice. With Thomas out, all eyes turn to true freshman Boo Carter. The Chattanooga native is incredibly talented and already had a chance to earn the starting spot at STAR but now the opportunity is truly right in front of him to grab.
Christian Charles is another guy who could grab the starting spot but Charles versatility makes him very important in a thin secondary. He can play safety and also fill in at corner if injuries happen. I continue to like what I see what Rickey Gibson and Jermod McCoy and Jordan Matthews is certainly a capable backup. But with McMurray currently out, things are a bit grim behind them.
With Charles versatility, it feels like Carter will have to play major snaps at STAR at some point this season. The question is whether he can grab that job from the jump.
Defensive backs continue to do some basic technique work and zone coverage handoffs during practice. Little for us to glean from them but also very important, especially for the young Carter.
Much like the fourth corner spot right now, the fourth inside linebacker spot is a real question. He’s been lackluster in his first two years on campus but I continue to like what I’ve seen from Kalib Perry this camp. He looks more comfortable out there and is playing a bit bigger which should help him become more of an everyday player.
Sophomore edge rusher Caleb Herring got tripped up during a footwork drill which earned him “Coach Chop’s” ire. Still, he continues to look good and like a guy that might earn a role in pass rush packages. Josh Josephs also looks better and a sneaky pick for a potential breakout player.
I truly don’t know how Tennessee will be able to use all the playable LEOs they have on this roster. Certainly a good problem to have.
