Tennessee football held its first fall scrimmage on Saturday morning at Neyland Stadium. Head coach Josh Heupel met with the media following the scrimmage for the first time since the start of fall camp.
Here’s three takeaways on what Heupel had to say.
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Which Vols Did And Didn’t Participate
As expected, a number of Tennessee players were unable to go during the scrimmage. Josh Heupel said that Braylon Staley did not scrimmage while Mike Matthews did. However, we spotted Matthews in a red non contact jersey so it’s uncertain how much he was able to do.
Cornerback Colton Hood and tight end Miles Kitselman were also in red non contact jerseys. Receiver Chris Brazzell did not participate in the scrimmage.
Heupel did not disclose the status of Rickey Gibson, Jermod McCoy or Josh Josephs. But none of them have practice as of late so it would be surprising if they participated in Saturday’s scrimmage.
Tennessee’s fifth-year head coach did say that Boo Carter scrimmaged which is a positive sign as he works his way back into the fold.
Heupel Not Ready To Whittle Down Quarterback Competition
As expected, Heupel didn’t provide many notes in detail about Tennessee’s quarterback competition. But probably the most notable thing Heupel said if that he isn’t ready to eliminate anyone from the competition.
That’s a major win for George MacIntyre who has been the clear third candidate to this point in the competition. Heupel not cutting the competition down to two speaks to MacIntyre’s performance but also isn’t a great sign because Aguilar and Merklinger have been unable to separate from the freshman signal caller.
We’ll see what this next week looks like when it comes to MacIntyre’s reps and if he starts working more with the starting receivers.
Praise For A Pair Of Vols
Heupel rarely gets into too many specifics while talking to the media following scrimmages, but he did offer praise for a pair of players.
Linebacker Edwin Spillman made multiple plays behind the line of scrimmage according to Heupel as the sophomore linebacker continues to push for a much expanded role in his sophomore season.
Perhaps the most positive thing Heupel said Saturday was about transfer running back Star Thomas’ development from fall practice to now.
“A dramatically different player,” Heupel said. “Just his body, his movement, explosiveness, his physicality with the ball and without the ball. Some of the details and fundamentals that it takes— pass protection, special teams as well. He’s done an elite job from end of spring ball to where we are practice eight.”
Thomas is competing with DeSean Bishop and Peyton Lewis for playing time at running back as that projects to be a strength for Tennessee again this season.
