The Tennessee Volunteers have five spring practices (including today's) left before their spring game on April 22nd, which means the coaching staff is starting to figure just what they have on the roster this year. So with a few practices left, it's time for an update on how last week's spring practices went. With that in mind, here's our Tennessee Football Spring Practice Report.
Darrell Taylor Impressing
We'll get to former five-star Jonathan Kongbo shortly, but fellow defensive end Darrell Taylor has been just as impressive this spring, if not more so. Kongbo has been sharp in spring ball, but even he felt the need to shout out Taylor's play.
"One guy I want to give a hats off to is Darrell Taylor," Kongbo said. "He's been working really hard this offseason, and he's been making a lot of plays out here."
Taylor was a 200-pound wide out in high school, but is now a 250-pound defensive end. With the Vols in need of defensive end help, the sophomore Taylor will be counted on to step up.
Trey Smith Fighting For Playing Time
Let's start with a video of Smith getting the better of Kongbo in the Vols' "Circle of Life" drill.
Trey Smith handling Kongbo. pic.twitter.com/4ayAD1HY3t
— VolBlood (@VolBlood) April 7, 2017
That's some impressive stuff from Smith, given that he should still be in high school if he didn't enroll early. A five-star recruit, Smith is pushing to get on the field right away.
"When he doesn’t have to think, he can really come off the ball and hit somebody in the mouth, that is for sure," OL coach Walt Wells said of Smith. "Trey is a good player. Trey is intelligent. He’s mature beyond his years. He is still learning as we go through it ... But Trey also understands there are some good players here and he can’t just go out there and roll his hat out there because I’m Trey Smith and win the job. But it’s created a lot of competition in the room and all positions because you are trying to find the best five."
The Vols would love it if Smith can establish himself as one of the best five offensive linemen. But Smith will need to continue to improve in the rest of spring ball and in fall practice.
Kongbo High On Smith
Kongbo has upped his play this spring, a positive sign for a player the Vols are hoping breaks out. But Kongbo is also signing the praises of Smith so far.
"Trey Smith is very impressive," Kongbo said. "He came in here and just put his head down and kept working. I've got a lot of respect for him. Every day we push each other to get better. There’s times he gets me, there’s times I get him. It’s just a good competition."
If everything goes according to play, Kongbo and Smith will be anchors on both lines this coming season. Kongbo is dealing with a knee sprain, but it doesn't sound too serious.
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