As Tennessee football kicked off its spring practice on a dreary Knoxville morning, the Vols got back to business under the guidance of Josh Heupel, now in his sixth year at the helm. With the media granted a glimpse into the indoor facility, there were some intriguing developments to note.
Offense
The quarterback battle is the talk of the town, with a three-way competition unfolding. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, true freshman Faizon Brandon, and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub are all vying for the top spot. During the open periods, the quarterbacks took reps in the order of MacIntyre, Brandon, Staub, followed by Mason Phillips, who’s projected as the fourth-stringer.
While we didn’t see quarterbacks airing it out with receivers, we did catch them making throws to running backs in the flat. The running back lineup featured DeSean Bishop, Daune Morris, Justin Baker, Javin Gordon, and Hunter Barnes. Though accuracy was a mixed bag, no quarterback stood out, for better or worse.
Quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle put the QBs through pocket presence drills, emphasizing fundamentals. MacIntyre and Brandon looked particularly sharp, with MacIntyre having bulked up to 201 pounds. Brandon, on the other hand, already boasts a college-ready physique and a strong arm, though deep throws were off the menu for this session.
Defense
Linebacker Arion Carter was notably absent due to an injury, as confirmed by Heupel, but there’s no need for alarm. In his absence, Edwin Spillman and Amare Campbell stepped up as leaders, showcasing their potential.
In the secondary, defensive backs split into safeties and cornerbacks. Co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter worked with safeties like Tevis Metcalf and Steele Katina, among others. Meanwhile, Derek Jones led the cornerbacks, including players like Jadais Richard and Javonte Smith.
A standout moment was the imposing presence of Joel Wyatt, who turned heads with his size. Sporting number 31, Wyatt’s stature might lead to some versatile uses, potentially as a true safety or in the STAR position.
As spring practice unfolds, the Vols are laying the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting season. With a quarterback race heating up and a defense looking to solidify its identity, Tennessee fans have plenty to keep an eye on.