First year wide receivers made a good impression on Tennessee footballThe first intrasquad melee of spring training on Monday evening.
Travis Smith caught a pass of a touchdown of the Jake Merklinger rescue quarter on a melted route, and Radarious Jackson was part of a long completion sequence by a hot flight attack.
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This is a good sign for the slim reception body of UT, which could count on first -year students during the 2025 season.
“It’s just the landscape of university football. As your list turns around, your young people must be ready to learn, win it and take a job,” said coach Josh Heupel. “I saw big games on the football field this evening. The young wide receivers have done a good job in their first opportunity in a melee environment.”
Receivers returning Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley and Chris Brazzell also contributed to a strong offensive projection, led by the quarter-Arrière leaving Nico Iamaleava. There are only six scholarship receivers on the list in the spring, but the transfer of Alabama Amari Jefferson is limited while it recovers with a hip injury in 2024.
Heupel said that Aumaleava displayed “command and control and a complete understanding” of the offense, which is being adjusted in the spring.
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Admittedly, the defense was hampered with a dozen players sidelined by injuries. But the offensive worked well with veterans to first -year students.
The melee was closed to the public and the media. But here are other key dishes from the Heupel night review.
Travis Smith could take into account the rotation of the receiver
Heupel was impressed by the way Smith managed the game book, the defensive covers and the atmosphere of the Neyland stadium.
Smith, a 6-inch and 207 pounds, was a four-star recruit that chose UT over Georgia, Alabama and Auburn in a highly contested recruitment battle. He signed up in early January to compete for an immediate playing time. In this first fray, he took a good first step towards this possibility.
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“For a young player, he managed what we have already installed at the start (spring training), which is a lot,” said Heupel. “He managed it very well.
“It is large, a long length. He is competitive with catching up. And you saw it tonight. ”
The wide receiver of Tennessee Travis Smith Jr. (80 years old) during the Tennessee football training at the University of Tennessee, Tuesday March 25, 2025.
Deean Bishop, Peyton Lewis runs the back field
UT must replace the ball carrier Dylan SampsonThe player of the year of 2024 sec. Until now, it looks like a work of two people with Sampson’s backups that enter leading roles.
Desean Bishop and Peyton Lewis work like a one-two punch. They combined for 794 yards on the ground and six affected last season. But Heupel praised their protection against passes in the fray.
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The star of Duke Transfer Thomas, the first year Daune Morris and the Recruue Justin Baker also obtained many representatives in the fray. They hope to make Backfield duo in trio.
Kaleb Beasley It is necessary for CB for Tennessee. Why is it not there?
On digital defense, Joshua Josephs stands out
Rusher on board James Pearce is preparing for the draft of the NFL 2025 as a potential choice of first round. And thefts hope that Joshua Joseph can slip into his role as a disruptive passes.
Josephs looks at the room. The 6-3, 240 pounds flashed a rapid first step, leading a defensive line which was in disorder in the fray.
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“The guys who played a lot of football continued to grow as players,” said Heupel. “I like the length and athletics of this group (defensive line).”
Wounded defensive players who were recently or limited in practice include: defensive backs Jermod McCoy, Jourdan Thomas and Christian Charles; The seconds Arion Carter, Jaedon Harmon and Jadon Perlotte; Defensive line players Caleb Herring, Nathan Robinson, Jamal Wallace, Christian Gass, Jaydin Loftin, Christian Gass and Maryon Dye.
Miles Kitselman representatives were cut before the injury
Start the end tight Miles Kitselman suffered a pectoral injury Last week and underwent surgery, advancing inexperienced players on the depth table.
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The second year student Ethan Davis, recruit of Redsirt Cole Harrison, recruit Dasaahn Brame and recruit Jack Van Dorselaer share representatives at tight end. But Heupel said that this process started before Kitselman was injured because the tight young ends were to emerge.
“The other guys from this position get a ton of work,” said Heupel. “They did it before Miles (injury) because we had it in a limited role, just because of the quantity of football he played. It is important that all these young guys come.”
Adam Sparks is Tennessee Football Beat Reporter. E-mail [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@Adamsparks. Support strong local journalism in subscription to KnoxNews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football bid for: The first year Travis Smith impresses Josh Heupel
