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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The first week of fall camp is in the books for Tennessee.
After one week, it’s about what I expected from Team 120. The Vols looked and practiced like an SEC championship caliber team. Athleticism, depth, solid coaching and continuity were all apparent.
Here are five takeaways after the opening week:
Tennessee looks like an SEC championship contender
From Butch Jones’ first year Tennessee team in 2013 to now, it’s night and day. The roster has been upgraded with talent – and it shows.
Each year the talent has increased, and now everywhere you look on the practice field there are elite SEC players. Each unit, each position in all three phases – offense, defense and special teams – in noticeably better than it was three years ago. And the depth has just as much eyes centered on them as the starting 22.
The debut of Jarrett Guarantano
The highly-touted quarterback recruit out of New Jersey, Guarantano has received high praise thus far from his offensive coordinator Mike DeBord.
“Jarrett Guarantano has come in and it’s a learning process for him,” DeBord told reporters following practice. “He wasn’t here in the spring and so every day is a learning situation for him. But he’s shown that he’s very athletic and he’s got a strong arm.
“I’m happy with where he’s at and he’ll just continue to learn and get better as we go through this.”
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound true freshman maybe eyeing a redshirt 2016 season with Josh Dobbs, Quinten Dormady and Sheriron Jones ahead of him on the depth chart, but his practice field presence is a reminder of what lies ahead.
Kahlil McKenzie’s physique
Kahlil Mckenzie came to Tennessee a season ago as a big body on the defensive line. Now as fall camp continues for the sophomore, McKenzie has slimmed down. The son of VFL and current Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, Kahlil has lost almost 20 pounds and now weighs 325.
He looks more agile and quicker, too. His agility and improved cardio can make the defensive line unit even more dangerous this season in providing havoc in the backfield.
Bob Shoop’s presence
Shoop made his debut this spring on Rocky Top as the new defensive coordinator. Team 120 has already been exposed to Shoop’s analytical defensive approach, but his players seem more in sync during fall camp.
“We have a close knit group,” Shoop told reporters following day three of camp. “We always emphasize our core values – playing a game of passion, great toughness and a ‘team first’ mindset.
“Second, we really talked about individual improvement, player development. If we can improve our players individually, collectively, we will be better. Third, we talked about techniques over tactics. It’s all about fundamentals. It’s about Football 101.
“We’ve been using the phrase ‘hunt the ball’ – that’s a big term for us. We have one of those scopes with cross hairs right there, and a ball. Everything we’re doing is about hunting the ball. Whether it’s creating more interceptions or more strip attempts, it is an area we feel that can help take our game to the next level.”
The freshmen
The incoming freshmen have had a lot of anticipation centered around them since signing day. Now they’re finally on the practice field.
And they have not disappointed from the eye test, providing effort and learning the system.
Marquez Callaway, Brandon Johnson, Tyler Byrd, Nigel Warrior and Guarentano, in particular, stood out during the first week.
“First of all, I want to compliment all the freshmen,” DeBord told reporters. “Our style of play is different, and what I mean by that is you don’t see guys out there jogging around when they’re in a play. It’s full speed.
“If they’re on the backside of a play, they’re sprinting across the field to go get a block. The entire freshman group has really picked up our style of play fast. I think it’s a compliment to our older guys who are showing them that. Those guys have really stepped up and everyday they are learning new plays. I really like their focus. I like the way they practice.”
Dan Harralson covers Tennessee football for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Dan on Twitter @danharralson.
