KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Butch Jones ushered in fall camp with a number of topics.

The fifth-year Tennessee head coach discussed his new agent Jimmy Sexton, evolving as a head coach and preparing for Georgia Tech and their triple option in game one.

“Wow, football time in Tennessee, it’s hard to believe,” Jones said happily at the pre-camp press conference.

But having more depth now, in a number of position units, has created competitive battles. And that is a tribute to his recruiting efforts.

“It should be the most competitive camp that we’ve had,” Jones said. “The greatest motivator is that of playing time, so we’re excited about that.”

One of those battles, of course, is at the quarterback position, where Jones has said he might play Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano.

Either way, Jones said the Vols will have a renewed emphasis on the passing game this camp, which correlates by having more depth with skill position players.

“We have put a lot of effort into the passing game,” Jones said. “Each team is different. The dynamics are different. We are going to have to play a large number of freshmen on the perimeter in terms of the wide receiver position, possibly at tight end and we all know about the running back situation.”

After an early glimpse, Jones said he was “really excited” about the possibilities.

“I thought our receivers did some really good things,” he said. “I liked what the quarterbacks did, you could tell they’re progressions, they were quicker from spring.

“Their decision making process was much better, but again we don’t have the pads on. When all of a sudden you got a live rush coming at you, some things change. I was also encouraged by our wide receivers and our youngsters there as well.”

The skill players are across the board now for Tennessee on the outside, made up with players Latrell Williams, Josh Smith, Brandon Johnson, Marquez Callaway, Jeff George, Jauan Jennings, Tyler Byrd, plus incoming freshmen.

“I think we’ve elevated our skill set, now you know it’s the maturation process of these youngsters and who can help us and making sure that we don’t put too much stress on them right away,” Jones said.