5 questions Tennessee answered this spring ... and 3 that remain
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s spring game might not have gone as planned, but the rain-shortened session didn’t dampen what the Vols accomplished this spring.
The Vols answered several areas of concern but still have a few areas to address, starting most obviously with the quarterback battle.
Answered areas
1. Coaching staff
Some head coaches don’t bring in new faces to get better. Some would rather continue on with their same coaches, which usually provides the same results.
But for Butch Jones, he revised his coaching staff in a big way. He brought in a former Michigan head coach in Brady Hoke to coach defensive line, while maintaining the outgoing defensive line coach Steve Stripling within the program in an off-the-field role.
Jones also addressed areas that were concerns by adjusting the coaching staff with Mike Canales coming in to coach quarterbacks, Charlton Warren as defensive backs coach, Kevin Beard overseeing the wide receiver position, and promoting Larry Scott to offensive coordinator and Walt Wells as offensive line coach.
2. Strength and Conditioning
The strength and conditioning program needed to be addressed following a year that experienced a wrath of injuries. Jones brought in a longtime friend in Rock Gullickson. Gullickson has spent the past 16 years in the NFL and most recently with the Los Angeles Rams. In only four months, players on Team 121 are meeting the eye test in looking improved from a physique standpoint.
3. Offensive line
The offensive line unit is probably this team’s best all-around unit. Quality players and quality depth are made up with individuals such as Coleman Thomas, Jashon Robertson, Venzell Boulware, Jack Jones, Austin Sanders, Drew Richmond, Brett Kendrick, Chance Hall, Marcus Tatum, Trey Smith, Nathan Niehaus, Ryan Johnson, Riley Locklear and Devante Brooks. This group is easily the best all-around group that Jones has had in his 5-year tenure at Tennessee and a unit that had a good spring under Walt Wells.
4. Wide Receivers
This spring practice season showed that Tennessee has a plethora of talent on the outside. The timing of having a lot of talent on the outside is ideal with the departure of Josh Malone early to the NFL and as Scott takes over coordinating the offense. Jauan Jennings is the leader of the unit, from a talent and a vocal point. Latrell Williams, Marquez Callaway, Tyler Byrd, Brandon Johnson, Jeff George and Josh Smith will provide additional production at the position.
5. Punting
Team 121 will be sound once again in the punting department. Trevor Daniel, a two-year starter, returns for his final season on Rocky Top after a 45.1 average per punt on 130 attempts. Daniel has 53 punts that have landed inside the 20-yard line and 43 have been for 50-plus yards. His production will once again be counted on as a weapon when the Volunteer offense has mishaps and giving the ball back to the opposition.
Unanswered Areas
1. Quarterback
Even though Jones has not named a starting quarterback following spring practices, the position as a whole had a good spring and has set the table for a competitive battle in fall camp. Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano both had their moments. Dormady might be ahead, but the gap is narrow. Sheriron Jones showed he can provide depth. The question now turns to how long will Jones wait in fall camp before picking his starter?
2. Running back
John Kelly was held out of the Orange and White game, but he is the sure-favorite starter in the backfield this fall. But how much depth can be counted on behind Kelly this season? Carlin Fils-aime will have the most experience behind Kelly with Taeler Dowdy emerging also. Ty Chandler, Tim Jordan and Trey Coleman will enter fall camp as true freshman also. The Vols will needs everyone behind Kelly to get up to speed quickly and provide additional help for a long season.
3. Kicking
Aaron Medley enters his last season on Rocky Top and he does so as a career 71.2 percent field goal kicker. The powerful leg is there with 97 touchbacks as a three-year starter and a career-long field goal of 47-yards. Accuracy is still the question for timely kicks that provide importance in the outcome of games.