KNOXVILLE – Tennessee returned to the practice field last week to open fall training camp.
The Vols will kick off the 2020 season Sept. 26 at South Carolina.
Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney will look to continue to have sophomore running back Eric Gray develop into a reliable part of UT’s offense.
Gray finished his freshman season on a high note, totaling 366 yards and four touchdowns in the final two contests against Vanderbilt and Indiana. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound running back finished his freshman campaign with 539 rushing yards, four touchdowns on the ground, 115 receiving yards, one touchdown through the air and two punt returns for 12 yards.
He was named the 2020 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl MVP in the Vols’ 23-22 win over Indiana.
Kevin Locastro, Gray’s head coach at Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee, discussed how his former running back played as a freshman last season and where he can improve in 2020.
“There is obviously a pretty big learning curve transitioning from high school to Power Five football,” Locastro told Vols Wire. “The position played and scheme of the offense or defense will determine how steep that curve might be. I thought Eric did a nice job progressing throughout the season. UT primarily played three backs and by the end of the year it appeared he had positioned himself into being No. 1.
“Eric must continue to improve in pass pro, but I think he will continue where he left off last year and have a breakout season. Eric is a student of the game and is a relentless worker.”