KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Vols resumed bowl practice on Sunday. For the first time they practiced knowing their opponent: Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl. It was also the Vols' first practice in a week as the players finished their finals and the academic year.
Coach Butch Jones took the Vols back to fundamentals as they went through their third of 15 bowl practice in preparation for Jan.
2 in Jacksonville.
"Good to get back to work today," said Jones. "Our players have been in strength and conditioning mode but to get back and play football. Very short practice, about an hour, but just getting them in football condition, getting back to the fundamentals.
"We will take (Monday) off in terms of practice structure just because our coaches it be will an opportunity to go game plan now, watch a lot of Iowa video, and then our players will be in the strength and conditioning room and then we will resume practice on Tuesday."
Jones is enjoying the fruits of the Vols' labor in the 2014 season, being able to use the additional bowl practices to help build the foundation he has spoken about so often since arriving in Knoxville.
"It is invaluable, these bowl experiences and bowl practices," said Jones. "Then to be able to actually experience a first-class bowl, like the TaxSlayer Bowl and the standard and the expectations, the opportunity to compete in front of a national audience, Jan. 2, the benefits, they continue to grow because it is big for us.
"It is more opportunities for this football team to be together, also from leadership, we will start basically our offseason personal growth and development series and program, actually while we are at bowl preparation. We will have our seniors talk, what it meant to be a Tennessee Vol, kind of the things if they could do it all over again, their experiences that they have had here. So we will have some leadership seminars here as well. It is incredible."
Freshman running back Jalen Hurd learned a lot this season. Not only did he learn to adjust to the rigors and demands of being a student-athlete in the Southern Conference, but he learned more about what it takes to be an effective, total running back.
"It's the small details that make up a long run," Hurd said. "It's one more step here or the little inches that really make the long runs. [Good running backs] do the little things and the little extra steps instead of just having overall speed and power. Being a better back means doing the little things."
Preparing for the TaxSlayer Bowl has allowed Hurd more opportunities to work on perfecting the little details. With each additional bowl practice comes another chance to work on one-on-one matchups, pass protection, footwork and speed.
"I have to work on my steps, press and hold better, one-on-one matchups with that one arm tackle," Hurd said. "You have to break those to get that long run."
Personally, Hurd is also using the bowl practice time to work on his own improvements, adding that size is just one goal he has set for himself this offseason.
"There's nothing really specific but I do need to get bigger," Hurd said. "That's something I'm going to do and keep my speed, get faster and stay elusive as a running back. I'd like to keep my running back qualities but get a little bit bigger."
Coming off of a shoulder injury last offseason, Hurd now looks to attack this winter full speed and take advantage of his resources with the University of Tennessee's athletic training staff to keep his body healthy.
"Last winter, I didn't get to do much lifting because I was rehabbing my shoulder a lot," Hurd said. "Over the summer, I started lifting really heavy and getting back into it. Going into this winter, that's definitely what I'm going to pick up."
Above all, Jones added that considering Hurd's young age, the amount of resiliency shown this season has been nothing short of impressive and looks promising for seasons ahead.
"Great resiliency. This entire football team has shown great resiliency all year and the youthfulness," Jones said. "Jalen Hurd didn't even play in the UT-Chattanooga game and he just continued to battle and battle and there is a lot of great stories and a lot of positive things that are going on here. Very proud of our players."
ROBERTSON ON ALL-SEC FRESHMAN TEAM
On Sunday, starting right guard Jashon Robertson arrived at practice with new accolades behind his name. As a true freshman and the only offensive lineman to start all games at the same position this year, the Tennessee native was honored as a member of the All-SEC Freshman Team last week.
"It means a lot to me," Robertson said. "It was a goal of mine at the start of the season and it's a blessing to be a part of that team with a lot of talented guys on that list. I'm very thankful."
After arriving on campus with the expectation of working with the defensive line group, Robertson reflected on his successful transition to offensive line. Although the move initially came as a surprise, he quickly proved his abilities over his 12 starts and attributes his season performance to keeping an positive mentality.
"I feel that being open and optimistic toward everything [helped]," Robertson said. "As soon as I sat down with Coach Jones and he told me that the team needed me at offensive line, I just took it in full stride. That was the moment for me when I thought, `This is it. I'm an offensive lineman.'"
Robertson admits that his productivity also cannot be recognized without giving credit where credit is due. As a freshman learning to play on a different side of the ball, he sought guidance and help from his teammates to his left and right.
"I really appreciate all of the things the older guys did for me on the offensive line, and really the O-line all together," Robertson said. "They really helped me come along as far as camp, the season and the grind of things. I attribute everything I've done to everyone who has helped me get this far."
While preparing with his unit to face a big-bodied Iowa team next month, Robertson looks to use all lessons learned this year to make adjustments and help Team 118 win the TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.
"[Offensive line] is really a very `teamly' position where everybody has to work together and have good chemistry," Robertson added. "The margin for error is very small. I've really enjoyed it and it's kind of cool the way things work out."
Jones announced three members of the Vols elected to transfer and are no longer a part of the program. A trio of freshmen: tight end Daniel Helm, defensive lineman Dewayne Hendrix and running back Derrell Scott will all look to play at other schools.
"Daniel Helm has decided that he is going to go to another school and we wish him in the best and we will help in any way we can," said Jones. "Dwayne Hendrix and Derrell Scott will also be looking at other schools. Again, we thank them for everything they have given to Tennessee and wish them the best in moving forward."
Jones said the reasoning behind the players' departures are for various reasons.
"Every individual has a different reason, a different circumstance for that, but the only thing we can do is thank them and provide help in finding another school and whatever they wish to do."
With Scott departing the program, freshman defensive back/returner Evan Berry saw some time in the offensive backfield during Sunday's practice. Berry also experimented at running back midway through the regular-season in October. Berry has not seen any game action on offense.
Jones said the move is both 'an experiment and a possible sustained move.'
"The great thing about bowl practices is you take the first couple of bowl practices, and if there's individuals that you want to see play different positions, it's a great chance to get a jump-start on spring football," said Jones. "Evan Berry has done a tremendous job. He's making great strides at safety, but it was an opportunity today to see what he could really do with the ball in his hands.
The Tennessee legacy, Berry played both safety and at quarterback for Creekside High School in Georgia. As a senior, he led Creekside to an undefeated record and a state championship. He was rated as a 4-star prospect as an athlete by several scouting services.
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)