Storylines to Watch During Tennessee’s Spring Practice
On Wednesday afternoon, Tennessee’s football program announced it was temporarily pausing activities due to COVID-19 issues. The plan is to re-open on Monday, with Spring practice beginning on Tuesday. The 15 practices leading into Tennessee’s annual Orange and White game on April 24th will prove pivotal for Josh Heupel’s first season. Multiple storylines will start to unfold, and we take a look at which ones are the most important here.
The Quarterback Competition
Tennessee will enter the spring with an open competition at the position and three quarterbacks with starting experience. Brian Maurer was unable to stay healthy last fall limiting his opportunity, but he was a recruit Heupel & Co. liked during the recruiting process. Can he make more of an impact in 2021? Harrison Bailey brings back experience gained from playing down the stretch last fall. He has been a known film room junkie, and that has not changed since Josh Heupel’s staff arrived; if anything, it has only intensified. The competition looks like it will be between Bailey and Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker. Hooker has started over ten games, and his legs add another dynamic to Tennessee’s offense. In this order, Joey Halzle says Tennessee is looking for intelligence, accuracy, and mobility at the quarterback position. Both guys will have to utilize their strong suits and do it well to beat out the other. It is unlikely the conclusion of spring practice spells this competition’s finale, but it is one everyone will have their eyes glued to.
Who can emerge at Inside linebacker?
Tennessee was already thin at the inside linebacker spot before Aaron Willis was suspended indefinitely from the team for an on-campus arrest for his involvement in an incident at Stokely Residence Hall. Henry To’o To’o and Quavaris Crouch remain in the portal, and there is plenty of smoke around each guy. There is more buzz out there about a potential return for To’o To’o than any point this spring from our end. There were rumors at various times, but nothing ever felt solid; this time around, it feels different. Will he make it back? We will see. Regardless, Tennessee remains thin there. Jeremy Banks is an obvious candidate to play from day one, as is To’o To’o if he were to return, but after that, it is up in the air. Aaron Beasley will likely see increased time in Tennessee’s new multiple defensive scheme style of play, while Morven Joseph could use his versatility to play there and on the edge. Solon Page has yet to be a factor for Tennessee at the position, but this is his best opportunity to date. This will be a crucial position to watch for Tennessee this fall.
What do the trenches look like?
Tennessee returns multiple contributors on each side of the ball at the trench positions, and the game starts and usually ends there in SEC play. The defensive line will be under well-known coach Rodney Garner and will return several veterans. Matthew Butler brings back the most productivity, while Aubrey Solomon and Darel Middleton both look to finish their careers strong. Can one of the younger players make an impact early? Omari Thomas is a naturally gifted recruit and one that got away from Garner during his time at Auburn. Dominic Bailey will look to break out after seeing limited snaps last fall. Can Greg Emerson return to his late-season 2019 form? Elijah Simmons is another prospect who is ahead of schedule in terms of development, as many thought he would not make an impact until later in his career, but he started and played at a high level for Tennessee at times last fall.
On the offensive side, Tennessee’s offensive line will look drastically different in terms of scheme and familiar faces. Trey Smith opted for the NFL, while Brandon Kennedy did not return for a seventh-year and Wanya Morris transferred to Oklahoma. Still, Tennessee has talent upfront; it will just be finding the proper fit. Cade Mays returns and should be the leader of the line, but who joins him? Cooper Mays started the last two games at center for Tennessee last fall, and the new scheme could benefit him tremendously. Jerome Carvin will look to find his groove as he starts with a clean bill of health. This is a prove-it year for Darnell Wright, who has not quite lived up to his billing on a consistent basis to this point of his Tennessee career. He should benefit from the more athletic, play in space style of offense Tennessee will utilize. Veterans Riley Locklear and K’Rojhn Calbert should both factor into the rotation and challenge for playing time, while younger guys like Javontez Spraggins, Jackson Lampley, James Robinson, and William Parker will look to make their presence felt. There will be a lot of eyes in the trenches.
