Tennessee’s second scrimmage of fall camp produced a few clear takeaways, and the biggest one came on the back end of the defense. Both of the Volunteers’ expected starting safeties came away with interceptions, as TJ Metcalf and Dejuan Lane made the kind of plays that tend to stand out fast in camp.
That matters even more because both players are new to the Tennessee program and are stepping in while Edrees Farooq is injured and out for the season. The interceptions didn’t come with a full accounting of how much return space either player had, but the takeaway was still the same: the safety spot looked solid, even with the captain sidelined.
There was also encouraging news on the quarterback side if Tennessee leans toward Faizon Brandon. His legs were a real factor in the scrimmage, with reports saying he would have had several big gains if plays had not been blown dead to keep the quarterbacks from taking hits. In a quarterback battle where mobility can separate one option from another, that kind of showing can carry real weight.
Up front, the right tackle battle is still very much alive. Ory Williams entered camp as the presumed starter, but Jesse Perry has pushed the competition enough to keep it from being settled just yet. Williams still appears likely to hold the job, while Perry looks poised to get meaningful snaps at both guard and tackle this season.
Those were the main notes from the scrimmage, and Eric Cain also broke down more of what he was hearing from the second practice.
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Through two preseason games, Aguilar has completed 10 of 11 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, a start that keeps him firmly in the mix. He still has one more exhibition game to strengthen his case, and for a Jaguars team sorting out the back end of the quarterback room, his rise has made that final evaluation a tougher one. [Read more 🡒]
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Aguilar completed 9 of 10 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 29-yard scoring strike to rookie wide receiver Trebor Pea. For a quarterback trying to force his way onto the Jaguars' roster, it was the kind of efficient performance that gets attention in a crowded competition, even if the final call still has to be made. [Read more 🡒]
Derek Barnetts Next NFL Stop Gives Tennessee Fans Another Reason To Watch
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Barnett is now entering his 10th NFL season, which says plenty about how long he has been able to stay in the league since leaving Tennessee. He also brings a championship rsum from Philadelphia, and his arrival in Cleveland gives Vols followers one more familiar name to track as the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]