Butch Jones
photo by Dennis Norwood/File Photo
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s football team opened its preseason training camp on Monday with a 6 p.m. practice at Haslam Field.
Vols head coach Butch Jones, junior defensive back Todd Kelly Jr., junior defensive lineman Derek Barnett and sophomore linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. spoke with reporters after practice.
Butch Jones
Jones and his staff will use the first day of practice as a starting point to see the areas that the team needs to improve in. The season opener is exactly one month away and the Vols will dedicate the weeks ahead to getting better with each practice.
"(It was a) typical first day of practice. A lot of teaching points with our style of play, our habits. Not anywhere in shape, mentally or physically to play a game, but you don't have to be at this point in time. The great thing now is we have some things on video. We'll go back now, we'll work to correct it. For us, we just have to continue to get better as a football team. All-in-all I thought it was a good first day, but we have a long way to go."
Todd Kelly Jr. | DB | Junior
Kelly announced his decision to wear No. 24 this season on Monday. The junior safety switched numbers (he was formerly No. 6) to pay tribute to local hero Zaevion Dobson and continue his legacy. Kelly knew Dobson and his family since elementary school, having grown up alongside Dobson and his brother Zack.
"My decision to wear No. 24 is all for Zaevion Dobson. Everybody knows he is not here with us anymore, but his legacy lives on. He was a kid from Knoxville that loved the game of football. By wearing this No. 24, I feel like his legacy still lives on the football field."
Derek Barnett | DL | Junior
Barnett enjoyed returning to the field during the team’s first day of fall camp. Despite the defensive line being one of Tennessee's strongest units, redshirt sophomore Jonathan Kongbo has already begun showing glimpses of the impact he can have on the defense this season.
"He looks good. He is still learning a lot of stuff, but he is raw talent. He is going to be a good football player for us. ... He is going to help us this year."
Darrin Kirkland Jr. | LB | Sophomore
Kirkland is ready to build off of a strong 2015 freshman season. As a veteran linebacker on a talented defense, he looks forward to showing the progress he has made and his growth as a player. Kirkland explained how his weight gain over the summer during workouts helped improve his body and gain explosiveness on the field.
"We have been working a lot on hip mobility. We are making sure guys are really loose in their technique. This brought the idea of cleanliness to our workouts, so it really helped everyone's explosiveness."
The Vols open the season at home against Appalachian State on Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
(Reach Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)