Some notes and observations from the open portion of practice on Tuesday afternoon.
Quarterback notes: What does Butch Jones do when he doesn’t love the first period of throwing from the quarterbacks? He starts it over.
That was the scene on the practice field on Tuesday afternoon when Jones told the quarterbacks, who were throwing to the receivers, tight ends and backs, to start the second period over because of too many balls hitting the ground. That was partially on the quarterbacks, who had a few balls behind the receivers, but also on some of the receivers who had some drops.
Still, despite the sloppy start, there were some nice throws from all the quarterbacks. Here are a few examples:
Guarantano ➡️ John Kelly pic.twitter.com/1AEzdj3UGs
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 28, 2017
Will McBride getting some work in pic.twitter.com/Xg0NqCVPEd
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 28, 2017
Dormady to Logan Fetzner pic.twitter.com/XMBc16UdSx
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 28, 2017
There wasn’t much to separate Dormady and Guarantano on Tuesday. Guarantano’s best throw was one down the sideline to Marquez Callaway that hit the sophomore receiver’s outstretched hands as he barely kept his feet in.
Dormady had a couple nice throws down the sideline – one to Tyler Byrd and another to running back John Kelly. I also thought Will McBride had a nice day. He has a nice compact release that gets the ball out of his hand quickly and to the receivers quickly. By no means am I saying that McBride will be a legitimate contender in the competition this year, but there are certainly things to like about the freshman from Texas.
Receiver thoughts: I really like the progress the second-year receivers have made. Latrell Williams, who we heard did some good things during the first full-padded practice on Saturday, looks quick and fluid catching the ball. Tyler Byrd continues to look like a natural receiver and UT definitely has him in the right spot. Marquez Callaway also looks a bit bigger and also looks smooth catching the ball.
Here's Latrell Williams hauling in a ball from Dormady pic.twitter.com/xAWbLVnF3f
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 28, 2017
Other notes:
• Cornerbacks Justin Martin and Baylen Buchanan were practicing in green, non-contact uniforms
• Former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville, a Knoxville native, was a guest at practice
• Tennessee will be back on the practice field Thursday afternoon and then again on Saturday of this week. The Vols will also hold Pro Day on Friday.
• Butch Jones, new defensive backs coach Charlton Warren, running back John Kelly and defensive end Darrell Taylor are all speaking to the media following practice
