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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — There was not much of a spring game for Tennessee on April 22, but it does not mean that the annual Orange and White game was not important.
It was important to see Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano take snaps in front of fans inside Neyland Stadium. The defense the quarterbacks faced was not what Tennessee will field this fall, or what they will face from the opposition, but it was still critical for both to handle live action.
All told, it was a successful spring for Team 121 as it took the initial steps of creating a new identity.
This team might surprise some with a revised coaching staff and could very well be better offensively in the passing game along with being better on defense with a lock down potential secondary.
There are areas of strengths and weaknesses following spring practices.
Strengths
Offensive line: This unit is the strongest part of Team 121. Butch Jones’ program has finally reached the point where there are quality starters and quality depth. Jones and first-year offensive line coach Walt Wells will also have the luxury of plug-in-play with certain guys who play multiple positions, which is beneficial should injuries hit.
As criticized as Tennessee’s O-line was last season, the group yielded 25.0 sacks. Six SEC teams allowed more.
Individuals such as freshman early enrollee Trey Smith, who will more than likely start, can play where needed. Jashon Robertson can play guard and center. Brett Kendrick is a tackle who has the ability to provide depth at guard. Drew Richmond is a tackle who can also move around, if needed.
Coleman Thomas brings experience and a competitive nature to the center position. Jack Jones and Venzell Boulware provide depth at right guard while Chance Hall and Marcus Tatum provide the same at right tackle. Redshirt freshman Ryan Johnson will also play a factor with depth this season.
Wide receivers: It’s also a talented and deep group. Josh Malone led the unit last season, but he might not be missed due to the returning talent. The go-to-guy is Jauan Jennings – who has proven that he can be counted on in crucial situations – and behind him are several talented sophomores.
Brandon Johnson will accompany Jennings in the Z-receiver spot, and Marquez Callaway and Jeff George will makeup the X-receiver spot. Tyler Byrd and Josh Smith will be factors in the slot. Freshmen Jordan Murphy, Josh Palmer and Jacquez Jones will also arrive this summer. Ethan Wolf will also be a factor in the passing game at tight end.
Secondary: The defensive backfield might surprise people this season – in a good way. Bob Shoop brought in Charlton Warren as defensive backs coach and the two have talented players who have more familiar with Shoop’s system.
Tennessee intercepted 11 passes in 2016, the fewest since Butch Jones arrived.
Rashaan Gaulden and Baylen Buchanan will hold down the nickel corner role. Gaulden started eight games in 2016, totaling 68 tackles and four pass breakups. Buchanan played in all 13 games as a true freshman.
The safety and corner back positions are deep with skilled players. Todd Kelly Jr., Nigel Warrior, Micah Abernathy and Evan Berry all can play the safety position. The corners will gain graduate transfer Shaq Wiggins from Louisville on top of already having Emmanuel Moseley, Justin Martin and Marquill Osbourne.
Weaknesses
Running back: John Kelly is not a weakness, but the lack of depth is a concern. Carlin Fils-aime gained some experience last season as a true freshman, but he will be counted on more in 2017, especially early in the season as a trio of freshmen acclimate to college football. The trio is headlined by highly-touted recruit Ty Chandler, followed by Tim Jordan and Trey Coleman.
Linebacker: Like the running back position, the linebacker unit is headlined by a proven playmaker. Junior Darrin Kirkland Jr. is the leader and has been vocal this spring about being a leader like Jalen Reeves-Maybin and others before him.
Daniel Bituli (above) and Colton Jumper will need to provide quality depth behind Kirkland at strong-side linebacker. Senior Cortez McDowell will anchor the weak-side linebacker spot with his experience, but Team 121 will need Quart’e Sapp and Elliott Berry to provide production behind him.
Dan Harralson covers Tennessee football for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Dan on Twitter @danharralson.
