Tennessee football preseason highs, lows, Butch Jones analysis and the QB question

Summer turned to fall a little earlier for Tennessee’s football team.

The preseason portion of practice has ended and the Vols have begun preparing for their Sept. 4 season opener against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

The August grind began a little earlier than usual with practices in late July. There were more off days for recovery and recharging as well.

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"I like the way Coach (Butch) Jones scheduled it," defensive end Jonathan Kongbo said. "He gave us time between meetings and practice to kind of get your mind right. So it's been really good. It hasn't felt too long." 

Here are some highlights from the summer preamble to autumn’s main event:

Who is the starting quarterback?

The preseason concluded without Tennessee naming a starting quarterback. The question might go unanswered, at least publicly, until the Georgia Tech game.

At this point, two things seem certain:

First, the coaches are informed about their choice. They’ve been watching virtually every move Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano have made, both on and off the field. UT coach Butch Jones referenced a “quarterback leadership camera” during the team’s media day on Aug. 13.

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Second, the other players haven’t been preoccupied with the competition. Sounds as if they’re good to go with whoever goes behind center.

“I take passes from both and both got an arm on them,” wide receiver Jauan Jennings said on media day. “That’s one thing I’m not really too worried about. Either quarterback is going to step in and do the job.”

Butch Jones' analysis of camp

Jones has grumbled about consistency throughout camp. On Aug. 11, he said the offense had “zero continuity.” Last Tuesday, he lamented mental mistakes and called for “discipline to execute.”

Jones’ comments might qualify as coachspeak, intended to motivate his players. Or they could speak to nagging injuries on the offensive line that have impacted the unit’s continuity. Or perhaps playmakers have emerged more quickly on defense than on offense.

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There’s good and bad to all of Jones’ reviews because it’s been Tennessee versus Tennessee throughout these practices.

“As a coach, you try to gauge where you’re at in all three phases,” Jones said. “You really never know until the first game. … It’s all about the competition.”

Biggest surprises in camp

Theo Jackson’s name came up early in preseason practice. UT defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said he wasn’t necessarily expecting Jackson to emerge so quickly. The safety and tight end LaTrell Bumphus were the first two freshmen to have the black stripes removed from their helmets by decision of their position peers.

In Jackson’s case, his football IQ has impressed along with his ability. Shoop said Jackson was asking “200 level questions” in position meetings.

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“We love what Theo is doing,” fellow safety Micah Abernathy said last week. “Theo is a very bright kid and he’s learning a lot. It takes a lot for a freshman to learn the safety position and learn everything that we need to do. He’s taken it upon himself to do that.”

Regarding surprises, using the circle of life drill on Aug. 15 to award sophomore tight end Eli Wolf a scholarship deserves mention as well.

Greatest feats in camp

This determination is a matter of perspective. The media have seen only a fraction of the preseason workouts and thus have a limited scope. Within that time, running back John Kelly made a one-handed catch on Aug. 18 worthy of any highlight reel.

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Still, it’s hard to top 247Sports.com reporter Patrick Brown’s catch of a Trevor Daniel punt on Aug. 8. The play was spontaneous and achieved without any juggling whatsoever. And the catch was pressurized because it was a response to Jones’ challenge.

By the way, Jones never delivered on the scrimmage viewing that was supposed to result from Brown’s catch.

What’s to like about new assistants

Among the five new assistants on UT’s staff, quarterbacks coach Mike Canales is unsurpassed in terms of optimism. He likely packs more words into a single breath than the others, too.

Offensive line coach Walt Wells, who was a quality control coach last season, provides enjoyable listening during practice. Defensive line coach Brady Hoke adds some choreography with his sound while exhorting his players.

Worst misfortune

Offensive lineman Chance Hall and receiver Josh Smith added to their injury histories. Hall gets the nod because he’s out for the season with a knee injury.

Smith is out with a sprained shoulder, not a collarbone injury as originally thought. Jones speculated Thursday that Smith could be back inside of four weeks.  

Best quote

Running back Kelly’s early review of the freshman running backs had some real bite.

“They’re little pit bulls right now,” Kelly said. “They’re just holding the chains back, trying to make sure they don’t bite everybody. You’d rather have them bite (than) tell them ‘sic 'em.’ “

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