Tennessee’s latest scrimmage probably wasn’t Josh Heupel’s favorite. I’m sure the Vols’ head coach appreciates good defense, but he’d also like to score a lot of points. That wasn’t the case on Monday in UT’s second scrimmage of spring camp.
“Defensively, started fast today,” Heupel said after the Vols’ scrimmage on Monday. “I thought they played extremely well early in the scrimmage. Offensively, there’s some execution that we have to clean up. That’s guys that are skill players out on the perimeter. It was some of our protection stuff too. All in all, there are some things that we have to do at a better level today.”
That makes one believe that the offense, which should be taking over spring practice by now, is behind in its development. There would be good reason for that. The Vols have to replace four starting offensive linemen, their three top receivers from last season and the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, former Vol tailback Dylan Sampson. The time is now for any UT players that want to show what they can do with the ball in their hands.
“They get the urgency of the competition,” Heupel said. “We grade those guys every day. They certainly understand that you don’t just put the Tennessee helmet on and positive things happen for you on game day. This is a game where you have to go make it happen…We are a long way from kickoff. We have a chance to be a good team, but we have to continue to grow.”
Tennessee could certainly get a boost on offense from defensive back Boo Carter. The former Chattanooga preps star has seen a good bit of practice time on offense this fall as the Vols try to expand his role.
“When you do that, there is a whole other work load that you have to take on,” Heupel said. “You have to understand what is going on, on both sides of the football, and he has done a really good job. He has spent a lot of extra time in here, learning what we’re doing offensively and being able to handle the structure of the offense.
“We’re intentional in what positions we are putting him in during the course of practice and today during the scrimmage, and trying to manage that side of it. He has worked hard. You can look at him as a punt returner, to see his skill set when he has the ball in his hands that he has the chance to be a dynamic playmaker.”
Taking Carter away from the Vols’ defense is surely fraught with potential problems. In just his second season, Carer is suddenly one of UT’s best defenders, especially among Tennessee’s defensive backs, which could be without standout cornerback Jermod McCoy early this season. The junior is recovering from a torn ACL suffered during offseason workouts in January.
McCoy is supposed to be ready to play early this season, but that may be a bit optimistic. If McCoy isn’t ready for the Vols’ season opener against Syracuse on Aug. 30, it’s up to Tennessee’s other defensive backs to fill in for McCoy until he can return. Fortunately, the Vols have a veteran group in the secondary, led by senior safeties Andre Turrentine and Jakobe Thomas, along with junior cornerback Rickey Gibson III.
“Fundamentally and within the scope of their technique and scheme, they have continued to take strides,” Heupel said when asked about his defensive backs. “You can see that in our 11-on-11, but you can see it in some of our group work where we are working those fundamentals and technique as well.
“It’s a talented group, it’s long, it’s athletic. They just have to continue to grow as a player before we get to the fall.”
The same could be said for Tennessee’s offense, which probably should be further along right now. However, the Vols are trying to rebuild a much-depleted crew that will have to find different ways to move the ball this season. Tennessee’s latest scrimmage doesn’t make one confident that will be the case this fall.
