KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Josh Malone recently returned to Rocky Top signing autographs for Volunteer fans at Eddie’s Sports Treasures in Knoxville before NFL training camp kicks off.

The fourth-round pick of Cincinnati said the number of Tennessee fans who turned out to meet him is not a “surprise” because “Vol fans travel.”

“It feels great to be back,” Malone told Saturday Down South. “I spent my college career here and it’s always special to be back in Knoxville.”

After being drafted in April, Malone has already been through rookie mini-camp and mini-camp.

It has been a learning experience.

“It’s been a really good experience at camp and learning from the best,” he said. “I try and keep my nose clean, head down and work hard.”

It is even surreal for him to now play with guys that he grew up watching.

“Seeing guys that I grew up watching in high school, A.J.(Green), Andy (Dalton), Pac-Man (Jones), just watching all those guys, it’s kind of surreal. But I keep going and keep maturing.”

A fellow SEC wide receiver and now teammate, Green is one that he looks to in the transitioning process from college to the NFL.

“It’s great. I get to see one of the best wide receivers in the league and he’s consistent,” Malone said. “I can watch how he plays, handles meetings and taking notes.”

He’s also transitioning from Butch Jones’ spread offense to a pro-style offense.

“Definitely,” Malone. “Being in the huddle is probably the biggest transition. You just have to listen to the whole entire play and not signals.”

With Malone departing Tennessee a year early for the NFL, he joined the graduated quarterback Josh Dobbs professionally in the same year.

Malone is still keeping tabs of the quarterback battle between junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano as fall camp nears.

Who’s going to replace Dobbs?

“I feel comfortable with both quarterbacks,” Malone said. “I know if they put either one out there, they will do a good job and help put numbers on the board and help win. It’s going to be an interesting battle during training camp, especially with a lot people trying to figure out different things. But I’m looking forward to seeing what we do this season.”

Malone went a little further in describing the two signal-callers.

“Quinten is very smart, he’s real savvy in the pocket. When he throws the ball, it’s basically a perfect ball almost every time.

“Jarrett is a natural passer and has good spin on the ball. He can also run, is fast and can get out of the pocket.”

The two bring different elements to the huddle, but they can feed off each other.

“It’s really like they both can do something better than each other, but can complement each other at the same time and help each other get better by competing. So it’s going to be an interesting battle.”

Another hole to fill in the Tennessee passing game is Malone’s replacement as the No. 1 wide receiver.

Following an impressive 2016 season, junior Jauan Jennings is the obvious one to take over as Tennessee’s go-to-guy.

“He needs to just keep improving, keep working and staying focused,” Malone said of Jennings. “Seeing him grow into a wide receiver from quarterback, he has come a long way. I want him to just keep improving and just keep finding out how he plays.”

Malone even says Jennings does not have to rein in the leadership role.

“He doesn’t have to rein it in, just keep playing aggressive – that’s his game. I like how he plays, that’s his swagger and a chip on his shoulder. The physicality and how he goes after it and attacks the ball is his game.”

As far as the rest of the wide receiver unit, Malone said don’t worry; there is plenty of talent to step in and step up in 2017.

“With the entire wide receiver room, I expect them to step up,” he said. “They all know what they are doing and most them have been there at least a year. The freshmen that came in last year just need to go out and play how they are supposed to play.”