KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee took the field for the first of 15 spring practices on Tuesday, putting in two hours of work in helmets and shorts at Haslam Field.
“I liked the energy. I liked our approach,” said Vols head coach Butch Jones after Tuesday’s workout. “Everyone was trying to lead. That gets back to everyone can lead in their own way, shape and form. I like that. Now it’s just getting down to the fine details and habits.”
Tennessee saw five mid-year enrollees take the practice field for the first time on Tuesday as defensive lineman Deandre Johnson, offensive lineman Riley Locklear, quarterback Will McBride, linebacker Shanon Reid and offensive lineman Trey Smith made their debut at Haslam Field.
Those newcomers were joined on the field by a handful of new faces in the coaching staff. Associate head coach and defensive line coach Brady Hoke, quarterbacks coach Mike Canales, defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator Charlton Warren, and wide receivers coach Kevin Beard joined recently promoted offensive coordinator Larry Scott and offensive line coach Walt Wells for Tuesday’s practice session.
Tennessee returns to workouts on Thursday and Saturday of this week, establishing a weekly practice schedule that covers the next five weeks before culminating with the annual DISH Orange & White Game on April 22 (4 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
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Quotables: Spring Practice #1
Senior OL Jashon Robertson
(On having veterans on the offensive line coming into the season)
“I was young, our offensive line has been young. We have had a few seasons now where we have had to start two true freshmen. It is definitely nice. At the end of the day it is nice to have guys that you have been around, who you can make calls with and sometimes you do not even have to make the call everyone is just on the same page.”
RS Freshman QB Jarrett Guarantano
(On the first day of practice)
“The first day with Team 121 was a great day, we got after it. A lot of new coaches on the field so we were just excited to get things started.”
Junior QB Quinten Dormady
(On the first day of practice)
“There are always things to improve on. No one is perfect. Like I said I am just trying to be consistent. My strengths I feel like I can make all of the throws and on top of that it is just being consistent.”
-UT Athletics
