Tennessee football: 5 biggest reasons I'm excited about Vols' spring game
KNOXVILLE — After a 1-year absence due to Neyland Stadium renovations, the annual Orange & White spring game makes its triumphant return to the UT campus. The scrimmage starts at 2:30 ET Saturday.
Even with the $5 charge, tens of thousands of Tennessee fans are expected to attend. This will be their first chance to cheer on their team since the conclusion of a 11-2 season, the Vols’ best since 2001. It also serves as the last chance to see the Vols until September.
Let’s look at the 5 biggest storylines about Tennessee’s annual spring scrimmage.
1. Nico Iamaleava on display
Tennessee’s quarterback of the future, Nico Iamaleava, arrived a few months ago with all the 5-star hype, but without a 5-star ego. (Note: No word on whether he has a 5-star heart.)
“He’s mature beyond his years. He doesn’t act like a freshman,” Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said about Iamaleava in March. “We put as much on the quarterback as anybody in the country, if not more. It’s a lot. He’s handling it well with a great attitude. He stays positive and he competes at a really high level. He just lets his athleticism take over too, which is fun to watch. So, he’s been great, but it is hard. People forget how hard it is to come in and play as a true freshman at any level of college football. It’s just a different area.”
On Saturday, Tennessee fans get their first glimpse at Iamaleava. Sure, he will be facing soft pressure and won’t get hit, but this will be a sneak peek at Volunteers football in 2024 and 2025. Heck, depending on how much he can push veteran starter Joe Milton, Iamaleava might see the field a bunch in 2023 as well.
Tennessee sportsbooks are live in the Volunteer state since November 1, 2020. Tennessee was the first SEC state to legalize sports betting.
2. Wide Receiver U is back
Tennessee’s longtime moniker “Wide Receiver U” didn’t fit for a while, but an exciting group of pass catchers, led by Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman restored that nickname the past couple of years. And even with their departures to the pros, the Vols have more than enough WR talent returning o keep the momentum going.
Squirrel White lacks Hyatt’s size, but his blazing speed will stretch the field this season. White caught 30 passes as a true freshman in 2022 and will be even more involved this season. Redshirt senior Bru McCoy and senior Ramel Keyton combined for 83 catches, 1229 yards and 9 TDs a year ago. Oregon transfer Dont’e Thornton also should be a big-play threat after averaging 21.5 yards per catch for the Ducks.
The Vols had the best offense in the nation in 2022, and these wide receivers could make sure they stay at the top. Expect Joe Milton to throw early, often and deep to those guys a bunch Saturday.
3. Secondary improvement?
The Vols need to be better defending the pass. I know it. You know it. Everyone knows it.
Last season they allowed 289.5 passing yards per game, a woeful 127th ranking nationally. Finding answers this spring is extremely important to Tennessee’s success.
The Vols return the majority of the secondary, including Warren Burrell, Kamal Hadden and Doneiko Slaughter. They’ve also brought in reinforcements, including Gabe Jeudy-Lally, who played at BYU and Vanderbilt.
On Saturday we’ll see if there has been any improvement over these past 4 weeks of Spring ball.
4. Freshman RB opportunity
Tennessee looks to be in very good shape in the running game with Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright and Dylan Sampson each returning. Heupel knows what he has with those guys, who combined for 2006 rushing yards and 29 rushing TDs a year ago.
So, at the Orange & White Game we might see a decent amount from true freshman running backs Cameron Seldon and DeSean Bishop. Heupel said that both performed well at last weekend’s scrimmage.
You can never have enough quality running backs, especially in that Tennessee offense.
5. Who’s the next elite edge rusher?
Tennessee will certainly miss having Byron Young creating havoc in the opponent’s backfield. Young was so good and impressed pro scouts so much at the NFL Combine that he probably will be a 1st-round pick.
The Orange & White Game could turn into a showcase for Young’s replacement. Roman Harrison is the veteran that looks to have the inside track, while sophomores Joshua Josephs and James Pearce are in the mix as well. Will any of those guys, or someone else separate themselves after Saturday afternoon?
Look, we can read way too much into one April scrimmage. Having an impressive afternoon doesn’t mean that you are destined for the history books. But let’s enjoy the game for what it is … an early look at the 2023 Tennessee Volunteers.
