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A heavy dose of intrigue in preseason practice

By: Wes Rucker
(Contact)

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Josh McNeil

KNOXVILLE — Here are some quick-hitters before UT hits the field at 4:40 p.m. for its first full-pads practice this season.

According to Vols coach Phillip Fulmer, junior Nick Stephens — not redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman from the McCallie School — would be the team’s backup quarterback if the season opened today. That competition is far from finished, though, and I’m guessing their performances in the team’s three big preseason scrimmages will be a big factor.

Here is Fulmer’s full quote from after Tuesday’s practice:

“Jonathan (Crompton) is the guy, and Nick and B.J. are kind of there, kind of blocked together,” Fulmer said. “Nick would be ahead of B.J.”

Stay tuned for this one. I know how important Coleman is to the McCallie community, and how important everything orange is to UT fans, so we’ll stay on top of this story as it develops all preseason.

— Fulmer complimented five receivers after Tuesday’s practice. He said seniors Lucas Taylor and Josh Briscoe, juniors Austin Rogers and Quintin Hancock and sophomore Gerald Jones were setting the tone through four days.

“Last year, we weren’t supposed to have any receivers,” Fulmer said. “Oh, gosh, the world was (supposedly) falling apart with Bret Smith and Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain not being there. Those guys took that challenged and proved themselves. That group of guys right there, they’re darn good players.

“We’re looking for some dynamics all the time, but they’re good players.”

A few players who could add some dynamics, namely sophomore Denarius Moore and redshirt freshman Ahmad Paige, obviously need to become more consistent to break into UT’s rotation.

Paige, a 6-foot-3 speedster, was named one of the team’s two most improved offensive players in spring practice.

— Lastly, here’s a quick interview from Monday with UT junior center Josh McNeil, who missed spring practice following knee surgery. McNeil discusses the first few days or practice, his recovery and what he hopes to see from the team’s young linemen.

Read timesfreepress.com throughout the day and Thursday’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for more information.

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