Spring Practice No. 4 Observations — The pads have come on

Tennessee returned to the practice field for the fourth session of the spring period Saturday morning. There was a heavy contingent of recruits on hand to take in the Volunteers’ workout. It’s a big time for recruiting as these guys get to see first hand what a Tennessee practice entails. Visits like today can plant the seed to get these guys back for official visits later in the summer.

Saturday was also the first day of full pads and the energy was matched early on while media was present. Guys were flying around and were obviously excited about the opportunity to hit somebody in drills and team work as the day goes on. There were three VFLs seen in attendence as Darnell Wright was back for his second practice this week. Cade Mays and Jerome Carvin were also on hand for he workout.

Defensive line coach Rodney Garner will meet with the media shortly after the conclusion of today’s practice. The next practice is scheduled for Tuesday.

Injury Report

This is likely to be repetitive for the most part as spring progresses. The majority of the guys who are being held out some will stay that course, working back from various offseason ailments and/or surgeries.

Cornerback Warren Burrell and linebacker Pak Garland donned a red noncontact jersey once again today at practice. The former suffered a torn labrum at the conclusion of the Pittsburgh game in week two of last season while the latter was injured in the season-opener with Ball State. Freshman Ethan Davis is in a red jersey as well but looks as if he’s doing everything as of now. We’ll see about contact as the week goes on, but he was in shells. Both were going through drills while media was out there.

Freshman running back Cameron Seldon was in a red jersey today as well, so it would be assumed he’ll be light on the contact. Wideout Dont’e Thornton was not in pads today on the first day of full contact. This comes as no surprise as he was nursing a hamstring over the course of the past few weeks.

Defensive lineman Tyler Baron was out on the practice field, going through individuals. The senior is not likely to take part in team periods this spring. Wide receiver Bru McCoy was not practicing today while running back Jabari Small, defensive back Brandon Turnage, defensive back DeShawn Rucker, wide receiver Jack Janzek and freshmen Daevin Hobbs and Nathan Robinson were all off to the side getting work and at times inside the indoor complex. Reserve tight end Charlie Browder continues to be sidelined with a right knee injury, suffered in the 2022 opener.

The Offense – Practice 4

The offense was fast at work during the normal routine for the first three periods of practice. Running backs were working mesh point with quarterbacks, wide receivers were getting their hips loose before running routes on air. The offensive line worked the bags before coming together for group work with guards and tackles and then guards and centers.

Quarterbacks, tight ends and receivers were at the 20-yard line going into the the end zone – working on red zone passing. It was not the most crisp period we’ve seen to date. There were a lot of high throws with some drops mixed in. Each quarterback did make multiple completions during the session while Gaston Moore honestly looked the best.

Later in the period, Nico Iamaleava connected with Squirrel White on a slot fade to the back corner of the end zone and that drew some raise from the offensive coaches. Good looking ball.

The Defense – Practice 4

A lot of fundamental work for the defensive side of the football today while the media was present. The entire group went through circuit work to begin the day, working on securing the tackle and then ripping the football loose. The defensive backs repped back pedal into bag drills and were working to keep their eyes up to catch a football at the end of the drill.

The linebackers hit the bags as well and then split off into two groups. One group worked on the tackle sled while the other repped stance and steps under the cage. Arion Carter continues to draw praise from the coaching staff and position coach Brian Jean-Mary. At the defensive front, the group was under the cage doing it’s normal work. Dominic Bailey and Amari McNeill look a step quicker, at least from one vantage point.

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