Volunteers early enrollee Trey Smith can 'hit somebody in the mouth'
It didn’t require any complex analysis to describe what took place.
Even the high school coaches lining the sideline at Tennessee’s spring practice could understand exactly what they witnessed, even if some were partially obscured from full view.
The Vols ran their “Circle of Life” drill to start practice last Thursday.
Offensive lineman Trey Smith, a player who could still be in high school if not for deciding to enroll at UT early, provided some of the visitors with instant flashbacks.
The 6-foot-6, 313-pound Smith got the better of 6-foot-6, 265-pound redshirt junior defensive end Jonathan Kongbo.
UT offensive line coach Walt Wells chuckled when asked what he could ascertain from the outcome.
“When he doesn’t have to think, he can really come off the ball and hit somebody in the mouth, that is for sure,” Wells said. “Trey is a good player. Trey is intelligent. He’s mature beyond his years. He is still learning as we go through it.”
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Smith’s early arrival has elevated the intensity among the offensive linemen. The five-star recruit out of University School of Jackson is pushing for immediate playing time.
“They see it. They understand,” Wells said of the returning linemen. “But Trey also understands there are some good players here and he can’t just go out there and roll his hat out there because I’m Trey Smith and win the job. But it’s created a lot of competition in the room and all positions because you are trying to find the best five.”
As the Vols prepare for their 10th spring practice on Tuesday, Wells can see Smith thinking less and reacting more.
“There’s no question. The problem is Bob puts more stuff in,” said Wells, referring to defensive coordinator Bob Shoop. “So, as we do that and we put more in, he takes a step back for half a practice and then figures it out just like any guy that should be getting ready for the prom and graduation and everything like that. But nobody is going to outwork Trey. He works hard and he comes in and does the extra things.”
Wells pointed to sophomore Marcus Tatum as a player making strides in spring. Tatum was not able to redshirt last season because of injuries along the line. He made his career debut as a true freshman against Alabama.
“I think Marcus Tatum is really coming in and doing some good things,” Wells said. “Marcus has added some weight, which is good for him, and got some strength in the weight room and he’s really coming on. He’s playing both right and left, but he’s playing primarily right and he’s doing a god job.”
Wells said senior Jashon Robertson will play inside for the Vols in the upcoming season.
“He’s probably the best overall balanced athlete we’ve got,” Wells said of the Nashville native. “He’s a former wrestler and does a nice job of maintaining balance. He is a smart player. He is a leader and he’s got a lot of pop when he comes off the football, so that is always good to have inside.”
Although Wells has been pleased with the cohesion of the line and some physical skills they’ve displayed, there remain areas of needed growth.
“Where I would like to see us improve is the communication aspect and the overall understanding of why we do everything we are trying to get done,” he said. “And them being able to communicate and change things at the line of scrimmage on the move and then be able to come off the football and do it well.”
Youth could be served in backfield: Having lost Alvin Kamara to the NFL, UT’s running back corps is having to “re-create yourself,” according to running backs coach Robert Gillespie.
Junior John Kelly Jr. has emerged as the clear-cut leader and sophomore Carlin Fils-aime is trying to gain an increased role.
But Gillespie made it clear there’s an opportunity for UT’s true freshmen to compete immediately for carries once they arrive in the fall.
“Ty Chandler is a hell of a football player. He is going to come in here and be ready to play. Trey Coleman. It’s my first time being able to say those guys’ names,” Gillespie said. “I think Trey Coleman, Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan, those guys are going to come in and be ready to play. We meet and talk football almost every day. The same install in practice these guys just did, we are going to go watch it with those guys tonight. Technology is something special. Skype and all that stuff, so those guys will know the offense and come in and be ready to play.”
Butch is 'starting to relax': Head coach Butch Jones isn’t spending as much time on the microphone during practice this spring. He is allowing the new position coaches and coordinators to have their voices be heard.
Senior defensive back Justin Martin believes the change is having a positive impact on the team.
“Coach Jones is starting to relax a lot and the team takes the vibe of their head coach because that is just how it is,” Martin said. “Coach Jones is starting to get looser and starting to relax a little bit more and I feel like that is just opening everybody up.”
Follow Rhiannon Potkey on Twitter: @TennesseeBeat
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