Tag: fall training camp

Jerry Mack discusses Jabari Small handling 20-25 carries per game

Jerry Mack discusses running back Jabari Small handling 20-25 carries per game in 2022.

Tennessee practiced for the thirteenth time during fall training camp Tuesday at Haslam Field.

Following practice, second-year running backs coach Jerry Mack met with media.

Mack discussed if junior running back Jabari Small could handle 20-25 rushing attempts per game in 2022.

“I really do,” Mack said of Small. “One thing about Jabari, that he’s done a great job, he’s added armor to his body. You look at the last game of the season, he weighed in around 199 (pounds). This year he’s been weighing in consistently between 212-215, and like that is going to help him down the road.

“As we get into games down the stretch, like being able to finish games, is what we’ve been talking about, so the added weight should help him a ton to try to increase his carries. That’s one of the things we’ve been really focusing on with him in the offseason, and obviously in fall camp, just trying to make sure you understand how to finish the practice.”

Small has appeared in 21 games with the Vols from 2020-21, recording 913 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 167 attempts. He has recorded 13 receptions for 101 yards.

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Jerry Mack discusses fall camp following thirteenth practice

Jerry Mack discusses fall camp following the Vols’ thirteenth practice.

Tennessee practiced for the thirteenth time during fall training camp Tuesday at Haslam Field ahead of the 2022 season.

The Vols will open its season against Ball State at Neyland Stadium Sept. 1. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.

The meeting is the first between the two schools.

Tennessee will play in the second Johnny Majors Classic Sept. 10 at Pittsburgh, followed by hosting Akron Sept. 17 and Florida Sept. 24 during the season’s opening month.

Following the Vols’ thirteenth practice during fall training camp, running backs coach Jerry Mack met with media. Mack’s media availability can be watched below.

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Josh Heupel updates Elijah Simmons’ injury status

Josh Heupel updates Elijah Simmons’ injury status during fall training camp.

Tennessee scrimmaged for the first time during fall training camp Tuesday ahead of the 2022 season.

Following the Vols’ scrimmage, second-year head coach Josh Heupel met with media.

Heupel was asked about redshirt junior defensive lineman Elijah Simmons’ injury status.

“I think he’ll have an opportunity to participate here this next four-day block,” Heupel said of Simmons. “It was kind of a freak deal, but I don’t think it’s a long-term injury for him that will inhibit him in any way as we get closer to the season, but we got to get him back fully ready to go.”

Heupel also discussed if Simmons’ injury has set him back heading into the season.

“We’ll see when we get back,” Heupel said. “He’s been in great spirits. He said he’s feeling really good. We’ll figure out here as we get back on the grass here in a couple of days.”

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Josh Heupel discusses wide receiver Bru McCoy’s eligibility status

Josh Heupel discusses transfer wide receiver Bru McCoy’s eligibility status.

Tennessee scrimmaged for the second time during fall training camp Sunday at Neyland Stadium ahead of the 2022 season.

Following the Vols’ second scrimmage during fall training camp, head coach Josh Heupel met with media.

The second-year head coach was asked if there is an update on transfer wide receiver Bru McCoy’s eligibility status.

“Don’t have an update on Bru,” Heupel said.

Heupel also commented on McCoy following Tennessee’s first scrimmage during fall training camp Aug. 9.

“I have been in dialogue with the people that we need to,” Heupel said. “Our administration has been on the other side of the coin. We feel good about where that is going. Bru is healthy and ready to compete this training camp, so he will be involved in everything we are doing.”

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound McCoy transferred to Tennessee from USC. He appeared in six games for USC in 2020, totaling 21 receptions, 236 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

McCoy committed to the Vols in May.

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Josh Heupel discusses Vols’ plan for right tackle position

Josh Heupel discusses Tennessee’s plan for the right tackle position.

Tennessee scrimmaged for the second time during fall training camp Sunday at Neyland Stadium ahead of the 2022 season.

Following the Vols’ second scrimmage during fall training camp, head coach Josh Heupel met with media.

Heupel was asked about Tennessee’s plan for its right tackle position.

“We plan to keep Darnell (Wright) at the right side,” Heupel said.

Following Tennessee’s fourth practice during fall training camp, second-year offensive line coach Glen Elarbee discussed the 6-foot-6, 335-pound Wright.

“I think Darnell’s just growing each day, just so proud of him,” Elarbee said. “The way he practiced yesterday was just unbelievably physical, the questions that he asked in the meeting room, the attention, you can just see him trying to be different in the way that he focuses, and even things he’s trying to work technique wise.

“He wants extra drill work, he wants extra reps, he wants to work. I think that’s something. I’m not sure, he probably did a little last year, but it’s so pronounced this year. He’s just such an improved player, and I’m just excited for him. I hope he keeps it up and just has a phenomenal year.”

Wright has appeared in 34 games for the Vols from 2019-21.

The senior has started in 29 contests, 14 at right tackle, two at right guard and 13 at left tackle. He has played 1,851 snaps at Tennessee.

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Josh Heupel details Tennessee’s left tackle competition during fall camp

Josh Heupel details Tennessee’s left tackle competition during fall camp.

Tennessee scrimmaged for the second time during fall training camp Sunday at Neyland Stadium ahead of the 2022 season.

Following the Vols’ second scrimmage during fall training camp, head coach Josh Heupel met with media.

Heupel discussed Tennessee’s left tackle position and how competition is progressing during fall training camp.

“It’s been back and forth a little bit through training camp,” Heupel said. “You guys have heard me say this, at the end of the day, we’re going to need both of them, all of them. You experienced last year, injuries. That’s true at the tackle spot. It’s true at all five spots. Those guys are continuing to compete. That’s not going to stop after today. That’ll happen all the way up until kickoff.

“Anticipate both of them (Jeremiah Crawford and Gerald Mincey) playing during the course of the football game throughout the season, and certainly in week one. Who gets a majority of that, or what the percentage breakdown is, we’ll continue to evaluate as we go through. Both of them have made a bunch of progress from spring ball, and really since the beginning of training camp, in understanding what we’re doing offensively. In the run game, playing with better pad level, being able to create some movement up front. Both of them have taken major strides in the pass pro side of it, too. I feel like those guys are continuing to progress as they should.”

Jeremiah Crawford. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Gerald Mincey. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

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Fall camp: Josh Heupel recaps Tennessee’s second scrimmage

Fall camp: Josh Heupel recaps Tennessee’s second scrimmage

Tennessee scrimmaged for the second time during fall training camp Sunday at Neyland Stadium ahead of the 2022 season.

Following the Vols’ second scrimmage during fall training camp, head coach Josh Heupel met with media.

“A great day, always good to get inside of the stadium here,” Heupel said. “First of all, it looks great, but a big day for our players and staff. A great day, too. We had a bunch of families that were here to share in the scrimmage, and they’ll get an opportunity to spend some time with their kids here this afternoon, too, before we come back in the building this evening. Excited about them getting a chance for myself and my staff to see them, as well.

“I thought there were a bunch of positives today in the scrimmage. We played cleaner on both sides of the football — executed. I thought alignment, assignment, eyes on keys, being lined up and ready to go on the defensive side of the football, tackling in space. I thought we did a much better job in those areas than we did in the first scrimmage. Offensively, at times we were efficient and played with great pace and handled the communication side of it at a really high level, too, so a bunch of positives. I know there will be a bunch of things we’re going to need to clean up, too, when we go back and watch the tape this afternoon.”

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Watch: Josh Heupel discusses Vols’ second scrimmage during fall camp

Watch: Josh Heupel discusses the Vols’ second scrimmage during fall camp

Tennessee scrimmaged for the second time during fall training camp Sunday at Neyland Stadium ahead of the 2022 season.

The Vols will open its season against Ball State at Neyland Stadium Sept. 1. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.

The meeting is the first between the two schools.

Tennessee will play in the second Johnny Majors Classic Sept. 10 at Pittsburgh, followed by hosting Akron Sept. 17 and Florida Sept. 24 during the season’s opening month.

Following the Vols’ second scrimmage during fall training camp, second-year head coach Josh Heupel met with media. Heupel’s media availability can be watched below.

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Willie Martinez discusses fall camp following tenth practice

Willie Martinez discusses Tennessee’s fall camp following tenth practice.

Tennessee practiced for the tenth time during fall training camp Friday at Haslam Field ahead of the 2022 season.

The Vols will open its season against Ball State at Neyland Stadium Sept. 1. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.

The meeting is the first between the two schools.

Tennessee will play in the second Johnny Majors Classic Sept. 10 at Pittsburgh, followed by hosting Akron Sept. 17 and Florida Sept. 24 during the season’s opening month.

Following the Vols’ tenth practice during fall training camp, secondary coach Willie Martinez met with media. Martinez’s media availability can be watched below.

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Jalin Hyatt discusses staying locked-in throughout a season

Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt discusses staying locked-in throughout a season.

Tennessee practiced for the ninth time Thursday during fall training camp at Haslam Field ahead of the 2022 season.

Junior wide receiver Jalin Hyatt met with media following practice. Hyatt discussed how he will stay locked-in throughout a season.

“This is the SEC, we’re the University of Tennessee,” Hyatt said. “We have great guys here, great receivers here. Last year, it taught me well, but if you don’t play to the standard where you need to be at, you’re going to be on the side, you’re not going to be playing.

“We’re here at the University of Tennessee. There are great athletes and great receivers here. The reason why I work so hard is I want to do it for these teammates. I want their respect. I feel like when I go out there, especially this year, I feel like I’m the best slot in the country. That’s what I want to do every day.”

Hyatt has appeared in 23 games from 2020-21 for the Vols, totaling 41 receptions, 502 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

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