After taking Monday off, the Vols were back on the practice field on Tuesday. Tennessee held their first scrimmage of the fall on Sunday, and Tuesday’s practice was UT’s first since that scrimmage.
The heat was in full effect in Knoxville, and RTI staff writer Ben McKee was on the scene to take in the two open periods of practice. Here’s what he saw from the Vols’ today.
Ben’s Observations
Jim Chaney was not a happy camper with Tennessee’s offensive line on Tuesday afternoon.
During practice No. 10 of fall camp for the Vols, Chaney got on to the offensive line throughout the open portion as much as any practice since he’s been back on Rocky Top – including spring practice. Chaney was not pleased with the effort or the technique of the entire offensive line. Quite frankly, he wasn’t happy with any of the O-line’s work.
While Chaney wasn’t happy, Trey Smith’s work ethic continues to stand out above the rest. Smith was pulled from a drill to allow a fellow offensive lineman to get a rep and instead of taking a rep off, Smith stood 10-or-so-yards behind the drill and went through the rep on his own.
Chaney threw Jahmir Johnson out of a drill at one point.
Aside from the offensive line’s troubles causing Chaney to go into a tizzy, it was a pretty normal practice for the Vols. One difference seemed to be the heat, however. It felt as if it was the hottest day on the practice field this fall and was likely because of the storm that made its way through Knoxville hours before practice. The sweltering heat came just in time to make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scout on hand feel right at home.
Offensively, it was a clean day for the quarterbacks and wide receivers. Very few balls hit the ground. Jarrett Guarantano continues to take the first rep of each route the group works on, then he gives way for Brian Maurer and JT Shrout to take the rest of the reps.
The most notable storyline from routes-versus-air was that Jacquez Jones was going through drills ahead of Jordan Murphy in the slot.
As for the tight ends, they worked with the two-man sled.
On the defensive side of the ball, inside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer was not pleased with the work from his group. Sherrer wasn’t pleased with the effort being given. JJ Peterson was a full participant, but Will Ignont had his ankle heavily taped.
Daniel Bituli was also limited, as was Roman Harrison. With Bituli limited during drills, Henry To’oto’o and Shannon Reid were the first team inside linebackers.
Along the defensive line, Greg Emerson worked with the first team during drills. Aubrey Solomon, however, was at the back of the line. Emerson had a strong scrimmage on Sunday, and his positive momentum carried into the second full week of fall camp.
After being limited to begin fall camp, sophomore defensive end John Mincey was much more active during drills today for the first time. He even drew praise from defensive line coach Tracy Rocker.
The defensive backs spent the two open periods working on backpedaling. Jeremy Pruitt worked with the corners, and Derrick Ansley worked with the safeties.
Nigel Warrior went first in the safeties drills, followed by Trevon Flowers. Theo Jackson, Jaylen McCollough, Cheyenne Labruzza, Aaron Beasley, and Brandon Davis followed.
