Vols Go Through Spirited, Energetic Practice For Missouri

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee coach Butch Jones was happy with the Vols' spirited and energetic practice on Tuesday as the Vols continued preparations to take on nationally ranked Missouri at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

"We had very good energy today," said Jones. "It was a very physical practice, very demanding practice. Actually we cut it short because of the physicality of it. Our players understand what it at stake. They know what they are playing for these last couple games. But I liked. We obviously need to correct some things tomorrow in moving forward. Monday was a businesslike approach, very consistent like they have been all year."

With several adjustments to the Vols' line-up several players will see enhanced roles. Jones has been happy with the work of those individuals.

At center, sophomore Dylan Wiesman is expected to see an increased role with the injury to Mack Crowder, who Jones called 'doubtful' for the game. Wiesman should draw his first college start against the Tigers.

"Dylan has worked exceptionally hard," said Jones. "Now is his opportunity, go take advantage of it. We have asked a lot of him. Playing multiple positions. But he is an individual who works hard. We are going to need him to step up."

With junior Brian Randolph suspended for the first half of Saturday's game following a targeting foul in the Kentucky game, freshman Todd Kelly Jr. draws the start in his place. Jones has played high expectations on the legacy.

"We are going to need to grow up in a hurry and TK [Todd Kelly Jr.] has done a good job when he came in when Brian had to leave the game," said Jones. "TK did a very good job of coming in and TK is a very smart individual. He puts his work in, he does his due diligence. I expect TK to really step up and perform well."

On defense, Jones expects sophomore linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to take on an enhanced role.

"We will rely on Jalen Reeves-Maybin a little but more," said Jones. "He has experience at the second level of our defense so we will reply on him a little bit more."

The Vols will also mix in several freshmen on Saturday in various schemes.

"Well, in the short term, it’s still going to be some nickel situations," he said. "Some dime situations, some third down situations, we will rely heavily on Jakob Johnson and Cortez McDowell and Kenny Bynum as well."

When Joshua Dobbs made his first SEC start against Missouri last season, he was an inexperienced quarterback who struggled against the Tigers' stout defense.

Heading into Saturday's game with the 19th-ranked Tigers, Dobbs is coming off of a two-game stretch where he has accounted for nine touchdowns and more than 800 yards of total offense, and he hopes to show that he is a much improved quarterback.

"I remember a lot," he said of last year's game versus the Tigers. "Obviously, it being my first start, I remember a lot and I know things that I've improved on since that game. They're a good team. They were a good team last year, they're a good team this year, so we're focusing on this year's Missouri team. We know what we have in front of us, and we're excited for the opportunity."

Dobbs says that he has put last year's performance against Missouri behind him, and is focused on getting win number six on Saturday.

"[I'm] always looking to get better, always looking at what I need to improve on, he said. "I haven't like gone back – I’ve watched the game – but I haven't gone back to think about what I was thinking through in that game, so I'm really just focused on this year."

The sophomore quarterback admits that he may have been a bit antsy to face the Tigers last season, but he is ready and prepared to take them on Saturday night.

"I wouldn't say nerves, I would say `excited,'" he said of his feelings last season. "I was excited to make my first SEC start, I knew it was a big game. And the same thing for this year, it's a big game with a lot at stake. We're trying to get to win six on senior night, so we'll be ready."

Dobbs says that the coaching and instruction he has received from offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian has made a huge impact in his development as a quarterback.

"I've improved a lot," he said. "Being in the program for a second year, that helps a lot. Being under coach Bajakian and learning more about the offense and the ins and outs, and just being able to talk with coach Jake and have a better relationship, that's what's helped me the most. "

It didn't take long for freshman Derek Barnett to prove that he was an athletic and strong player. It was during training camp that senior defensive lineman Jordan Williams realized that Barnett was someone special.

"In training camp, (Derek) ran Devrin Young down from like 60 yards," Williams said. "Then, the next play, he came in, made the tackle and stripped the ball. That's something you don't see freshmen do; staying focused and moving on to the next play, especially after they had a big play like that. He keeps getting better every week and he's going to be really special."

In Barnett's last four games, he has racked up eight of his nine sacks. He's tied for third in the SEC in sacks with 9.0 and has already etched his name into Tennessee record books having set the record for most tackles for loss (18.0) and most sacks by a true freshman in history.

The difference in the last four games for Barnett? He credits his improvement on the pass rush, comfort level and his teammates.

"I think I'm improving on pass rush," Barnett said. "At the beginning of the season I struggled with that. I think I'm getting better at that every week. I make mistakes but I'm learning from it because the guys are helping me out.

"In the beginning I was more nervous. I was still getting a feel for college football. Now I'm starting to understand it. I know every mistake you make is critical."

Moving past the nervousness and being able to embrace his position, Barnett says one thing turned it on for him to be as explosive as he is now.

"Having fun playing football. That turned it on."

(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)