Injuries create chances for inexperienced Vols
KNOXVILLE — There was no shortage of quality Tennessee football players participating Saturday afternoon at the Orange & White game inside Neyland Stadium.
There was no shortage of notable Volunteers sitting out, either.
The Vols wrapped up spring practices before an announced crowd of 58,473 without top tailbacks Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright, without top receivers Bru McCoy, Ramel Keyton, Squirrel White and Oregon transfer Dont’e Thornton, and also without top inside linebackers Aaron Beasley and Brigham Young transfer Keenan Pili.
“It felt like normal,” sophomore inside linebacker Elijah Herring said. “This shows that we’ve got guys who can come in and make plays and that we can rely on. It’s a good feeling to know that we’ve got people who can step up and make plays for us, even in big scenarios like this one.
“It was a good day all around, and the playbook was still wide open for everybody.”
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said that three of his top four receivers could have played Saturday had it been a normal game.
“That group as a whole has been really good in what they’ve done through the course of spring ball,” Heupel said. “They’ve been banged up a little bit, but I anticipate that being an electric group when we get to the fall. They’re long, competitive, and they have great speed.”
Davis injured late
Tight end Ethan Davis had one of Saturday’s top highlight plays when he snagged a 30-yard reception late in the second quarter from fellow freshman Nico Iamaleava, who rolled right and threw a strike to the sideline.
The 6-foot-5, 228-pounder from Atlanta finished with two catches for 37 yards.
“He’s been really good,” Heupel said. “He understands space and how to get himself open. He plays long and is physical to the catch. He has done a really nice job for us”
Davis had to leave the contest in the fourth quarter with an injury that Heupel said was unrelated to the shoulder injury that sidelined him for his senior season at Collins Hill.
Calling the shots
Heupel took a break from calling plays Saturday.
“Today I let (offensive coordinator) Joey (Halzle) handle it up top,” Heupel said. “Obviously (offensive line coach) Glen (Elarbee) is always instrumental in what we’re doing, and it was an opportunity for those guys to continue to grow and do that.”
Halzle served as offensive coordinator in the Orange Bowl win over Clemson after replacing Alex Golesh, who left last December to become head coach at South Florida. This is year three for Halzle as Tennessee’s quarterbacks coach and his third year working with Joe Milton III.
“Everybody kind of messes up, but it’s hard to see him mess up because of how he prepares,” Milton said. “He’s always in the building.”
Odds and ends
Heupel when asked whether he would be interested in conducting a spring game against another school: “I don’t know what the right thing is. For myself, I want to make sure we’re taking care of our quarterback.” … Herring on how 6-2, 340-pound nose tackle Elijah Simmons has stood out this spring: “He really takes up two gaps on his own.” … Iamaleava on why he and Milton were wearing leis at the postgame news conference: “It’s a tradition thing that my family does. After every game, they have a lei for me. They saw Joe and said they had one for him, too.”