Tennessee’s coaches haven’t been secretive about one of their primary goals of spring camp. The Vols have to complete more deep-ball passes.
“A couple plays down the field that I really liked,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said following the Vols’ scrimmage on Monday. “We got into some four-minute situation and there are some things we can clean up in the operation of that. That’s the first time they’ve had that this spring.
“All in all, there is some real positive, but there are things that we have to clean up, and that’s all the guys that are in the room.”
Completing deep passes will take chemistry between quarterback Nico Iamaleava and a crew of receivers that will be without their three most productive players from last season. Let’s just say that things are not ideal for a passing game looking to have a renaissance after two subpar seasons. Anyone remember 2022? That’s what the Vols are shooting for. Tennessee’s receivers will be a big part of determining just how explosive the Vols can be.
“Those guys have been really consistent as far as what we are getting out of them on the practice field and in the meeting room,” Heupel said. “You see them continuing to take strides.”
Redshirt freshman Braylon Staley did not participate in Tennessee’s scrimmage on Monday. He is expected to be one of the Vols’ top receivers, along with sophomore Mike Matthews and junior Chris Brazzell II.
“Braylon wasn’t going today, but I thought the other two guys did a good job in the scope of what we are doing offensively,” Heupel said. “They have been consistent in making plays, day-in and day-out, on the practice field. For them, it’s just constant growth within the scope of what we are doing: the fundamentals and technique. learning how to attack defenders, reading zone and man and ultimately getting on the same page with the quarterback.”
Staley’s absence is a reminder that Tennessee doesn’t have much depth at receiver. The Vols get very inexperienced and very young when their top three receivers aren’t on the field.
“I love the group that we have,” Heupel said. “As a staff, you always evaluate where you are on the back end of spring ball, and we will certainly do that.
“I really like the guys we have there, how they work, how they compete, how they are trying to grow. That’s on the practice field and outside of it. I like what they have done through the course of spring ball too.”
Which means Tennessee’s deep-ball efficiency must be at least close to Heupel’s liking. The Vols have proven they can win without an explosive offense. However, that’s far from ideal.
