Tennessee got a small but meaningful boost on Friday morning when Radarious Jackson showed up in a normal white practice uniform after previously working in a red non-contact jersey.
Jackson had been wearing the red jersey in recent practices, but that changed during the final period open to the media. He lined up at the X spot to the quarterback’s left, ran routes on air and caught every pass thrown his way without looking limited.
That’s encouraging news for a receiver who is expected to be part of the mix for a starting job this season. Jackson is in the race to line up opposite Mike Matthews and outside Braylon Staley, with sophomore Travis Smith Jr. and five-star freshman TK Keys also in the competition. All three are likely to see opportunities as the year goes on.
“What you like about that is everybody knows about Braylon and Mike,” Vols offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said about the receiver room. “The other guys that haven’t been on the field as much, physically, you’ve got some extremely talented, gifted wide receivers.
And you got large guys. You got guys that can run.
And the best thing about it is you have a lot of guys in that room that you can get the ball and let them do the rest, which is, like you said, an absolute comfort blanket for a quarterback where I don’t have to throw it 50 to get 50.”
Jackson’s return to full participation is a welcome sight after a true freshman season that was interrupted by injury. He played in nine games, catching nine passes for 90 yards, and spent that year behind Matthews and breakout star Chris Brazzell.
The news around Jackson was the bright spot of the morning. Projected starting tight end Ethan Davis still was not taking part in the portion of practice open to the media, while cornerback Ty Redmond continued working his way back from an illness.
Jackson, a Memphis native who starred at Sheffield High School, arrived as a four-star recruit and a top-10 player in Tennessee on each major recruiting service.
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Former Vols Give Tennessee Fans Plenty To Watch Thursday Night
The NFL preseason slate on Thursday night gives Tennessee fans a familiar kind of viewing guide, with several former Volunteers scattered across six games. Quarterbacks Hendon Hooker and Joshua Dobbs headline the list of ex-Vols worth tracking, while rookies Tyre West and Jermod McCoy add a newer layer to the watch list for anyone following how Tennessee talent is settling into the league.
There is still some uncertainty built into the night, though, and not every familiar name is guaranteed to take part. Injury concerns could affect availability for players such as Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays, which means Vols fans may have to keep one eye on the broadcast and another on the pregame updates before knowing exactly who will be on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Former Vol B.J. Edwards Lands An SEC Chance Tennessee Fans Will Notice
B.J. Edwards is getting another shot in the SEC, and it comes with a familiar twist for Tennessee fans who watched him develop before moving on. The former Vols guard has committed to Oklahoma after spending time at Tennessee and SMU, giving him a new home as he prepares for one more college season in Porter Mosers program.
Edwards entered the transfer portal after a Tennessee court ruling opened the door to an extra year of eligibility following changes to NCAA transfer rules, creating the kind of late-career opportunity players rarely get. Oklahoma is heading into its sixth season under Moser, and for Tennessee followers, Edwards latest move is one of those transfer updates that still feels connected to what once was in Knoxville. [Read more 🡒]
Former Vols Get A Big NFL Chance And Titans Fans Will Care
The preseason always has a little extra meaning for Tennessee fans when former Volunteers start turning up across NFL rosters, and this week is no different. Josh Dobbs is back in the mix with the Detroit Lions, while Kamal Hadden and McCallan Castles are among the former Vols getting a look with the Green Bay Packers. It is the kind of late-summer window when a college fan base can scan a roster sheet and find plenty of familiar names.
Titans fans, though, will have the closest eye on the players wearing Tennessee colors again, including Alontae Taylor and Hendon Hooker. The exhibition games offer those former Vols a chance to show where they stand in camp and what kind of role they might carve out before roster decisions start getting serious, which is why these matchups can feel bigger in Nashville than they do anywhere else. [Read more 🡒]