Fall training camp: Ty Chandler, Eric Gray ‘practicing with purpose’

Fall training camp: Ty Chandler, Eric Gray ‘practicing with purpose’

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee returns Ty Chandler and Eric Gray to its backfield in 2020.

The duo combined for 1,194 rushing yards, seven touchdowns on the ground, 178 receiving yards and one touchdown through the air.

KNOXVILLE, TN – AUGUST 21, 2020 – Running back Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2020 Fall Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee offensive coordinator Jim Chaney discussed the duo during the second week of fall training camp.

“I like them both,” Chaney said of Chandler and Gray. “They’re both very competitive kids. They both are determined to have good seasons. You can just see there’s an air of maturity about those two kids when they walk out on the field. They do their business. They’re real professional in how they look at it. They’re trying to get better at specific things as they go on the football field.”

KNOXVILLE, TN – AUGUST 21, 2020 – Running back Eric Gray #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2020 Fall Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

The running back unit is coached by former Vol Jay Graham this season.

Chaney mentioned that Graham “has done a good job identifying things” that Chandler and Gray need to work on.

“They’re out there practicing with purpose,” Chaney said. “They’re to a point in their careers, you’re not coaching effort, you’re not coaching alignment, you’re coaching the nuances, the things that make a difference on a play with those two young men. They’re really driven to be successful.

“They’re fun to be around and they’re practicing very hard and Eric’s done a good job, as has Ty. Real pleased with those two.”