Tennessee Football: 5 Things We Learned About the Volunteers This Spring

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — There's no way to tell everything about a team during spring practice, but the Tennessee football team did learn some things that can help going forward.

Above all else, coach Butch Jones gathered during the past month that it's difficult to play with three-quarters of a roster. The Vols were without 13 players who were battling injuries, and they'll welcome 20 more freshmen on campus this summer.

Still, quarterback Joshua Dobbs said following Saturday's Orange and White Game there were plenty of positives from a challenging spring.

"I'm very excited moving forward, both on offense and defense," he said. "We took a lot of steps forward this spring. We installed a lot of good things and are playing with a lot more tempo and control of the offense and defense. You can just see it. Everyone's playing with a lot more confidence.

"Guys are definitely excited heading into the summer and heading into the season."

So, while crowning Tennessee as SEC East contenders already may be a bit premature, it's big to have so many little-used players getting major reps this spring.

Some positions are ready for primetime. Some aren't.

Let's take a look at some things everybody learned about the Vols this spring.

The Transition to New Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord Was Seamless

Credit: 247Sports

When Tennessee coach Butch Jones hired Mike DeBord from his job on the sports administrative staff at the University of Michigan, many asked, "Who?"

Nobody around the program is asking that now, especially after a spring full of meetings, practices and workouts. DeBord is a dynamic personality and an exceptional teacher who brings something to UT that simply wasn't there before.

"I wanted a teacher, I wanted a great person of great character, a great competitor, but a knowledge base coupled with great experience and somebody I could trust," said Jones, who hired his old head coach at Central Michigan. "I wanted somebody to be able to fix the problems at every single position group and be able to hold everyone in an offensive setting accountable.

"He's been able to do that, and he's earned the trust of our players right away."

Jones spoke of DeBord having a "moxie" about him, and that was certainly evident as B/R sat in on Tennessee team meetings and practice this spring. The new coordinator's office has been a figurative revolving door for players and coaches wanting to pick the veteran's brain.

Upon interviewing at UT, DeBord gave quarterback Joshua Dobbs two mechanical adjustments to make, and he has thrown the ball much better this spring.

"Just being there with him talking football with him and getting to know one another, that helps us on the field," Dobbs said. "We're definitely on the same page. We definitely like the same plays and similar things out there, and that really shows. That's what you have to have between your quarterback and your new offensive coordinator."

Tennessee's tempo is faster than it was a year ago with Justin Worley behind center. DeBord already knows this offense, and he continued the team's advancement in nearly every area.

Thus far, everything Jones had hoped when he hired DeBord has happened. Nobody will know what kind of play-caller he is until the season rolls around, but so far, the offense hasn't missed a beat.

Tennessee Could Be Very Good on Defense

Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

There were times during Saturday's Orange and White Game when a defense that eventually won the game dominated.

Considering that side of the ball didn't have Derek Barnett, Curt Maggitt, Danny O'Brien, Rashaan Gaulden, LaDarrell McNeil and many others, that's a scary proposition for SEC offenses in 2015.

The Vols improved dramatically from coordinator John Jancek's first season in Knoxville to last year, surging to 37th nationally in total defense, from 84th in 2013. They improved in virtually every category across the board as well.

With elite playmakers such as Cameron Sutton, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Barnett and Maggitt, the Vols have difference-makers. Add solid veterans like McNeil, O'Brien, Brian Randolph and others, and UT could be really strong.

Of course, there are still questions. Shoring up the middle of the defense is essential with middle linebacker A.J. Johnson out of eligibility.

That position is still a major concern, though between Darrin Kirkland Jr., Dillon Bates, Gavin Bryant, Jakob Johnson and Kenny Bynum, they should find somebody who can play well there.

Defensive tackle already looks much stronger. Freshman Shy Tuttle and redshirt sophomore Kendal Vickers enjoyed breakout springs, and a healthy O'Brien and Owen Williams will join the rotation this summer.

Throw in the arrival of 5-star Kahlil McKenzie—the nation's second-ranked defensive tackle—and Georgia prospect Quay Picou, and the Vols are going to have much more beef on the interior than they had a year ago.

All that, and there's not yet been any mention of a secondary that could be one of the league's best. The Vols go four-deep and very strong at safety, and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez will have his share of cornerbacks from which to choose, too.

Solid recruiting the past three years has really outfitted UT nicely on that side of the ball. If the Vols can find a man in the middle of the defense, Jancek's unit may carry the team.

Running Back Depth Is an Issue

Credit: 247Sports

There's no questioning the talent at the top of the running back depth chart. The sophomore tandem of Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara have the potential to be among the handful of elite runners in the SEC.

But who's going to log carries behind them?

History shows you must have more than two viable running backs in this rugged conference. While quarterback Joshua Dobbs also is a running threat, he doesn't need to be shouldering the load.

The Vols will have some options, though none are proven in the league.

First, incoming freshman John Kelly chose UT in part because running backs coach Robert Gillespie wanted him on offense rather than some Big Ten schools recruiting him to play on the other side of the ball.

Then, there's Cincinnati transfer Ralph David Abernathy IV, who is expected to transfer to UT to play his final year with his brother, Vols incoming freshman Micah Abernathy. Though he hasn't yet arrived on campus, he'll be in Knoxville this fall, barring any changes.

That's four running backs, and beyond that, there really isn't anybody else.

Athlete Vincent Perry is a possibility to get drafted to play Major League Baseball, and even if he makes it to Knoxville, as expected, the most recent story from GoVols247's Ryan Callahan indicates the 6'0", 177-pounder will get his first look at receiver.

"

I talk to Coach Z (wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni) pretty much every week—he wants to know how I'm doing with baseball and stuff like that—and (linebackers) coach (Tommy) Thigpen. (Azzanni) said he wishes he had me up there already lifting weights and stuff like that. But I told him I'll be up there as soon as possible.

"

Knoxville athlete Jocquez Bruce is another player who could potentially play running back, though he also likely will play slot receiver.

Tennessee could still add some help in the '15 recruiting class from South Carolina prospect Joseph Young, who'd give the Vols five running backs. They need able bodies back there, for the rigors of SEC play if nothing else.

Wide Receivers Are Talented but Have Major Consistency Concerns

Wade Payne/Associated Press

Tennessee's wide receiving corps just can't seem to get healthy, and its production has suffered because of it.

Despite being loaded with talented pass-catchers, the Vols couldn't find any consistency (or any big-play threats) in an injury-plagued 2014.

This spring, they were still banged up with Marquez North, Jason Croom and Josh Smith being limited or out. But they really struggled at times, and that was the case again in the spring game.

"I thought our defensive backs did a great job of knocking the ball out," Jones said after the game. "We've got to find some receivers that can catch the football and advance the football. I was not particularly pleased with that area, but they'll get it right.

"A lot of things to teach on, a lot of things to move forward into spring football."

Between Pig Howard, Josh Malone and the trio mentioned above, the Vols have a wealth of talent. Throw in incoming freshmen Preston Williams, Jocquez Bruce and Vincent Perry, and UT has a lot of players other teams would be envious of.

It's now time passing game coordinator Zach Azzanni's group began living up to their massive potential. Promise and potential must equal production.

North and Malone, especially, are pro prospects with massive upsides. Smith and Howard also have proven they can do some nice things within the framework of this offense.

If something clicks, the receivers can be a special group.

Nobody is giving up on them yet. It has been a frustrating run of bumps and bruises, but this is the year the Vols really need them to produce, and this spring didn't cut it.

Or, as GoVols247's Wes Rucker put it:

"

Those guys are beat up, so let's be fair to them. Overall, though, Tennessee's defensive backs handled the Vols’ highly touted pass catchers, and the fact is that group will need to take a big step forward this summer in order to meet expectations that are high but not unfairly high, considering the talent level in this group. Even Jones admitted this group needs to step up.

"

The Lines of Scrimmage Are Improving

Credit: 247Sports

Jashon Robertson (left) and Mack Crowder (right) anchor a Vols offensive line that's improving. The kid in the middle? Well, he's just awesome.

Nobody should be ready to declare Tennessee's much-maligned offensive line is a strength or the defensive line will provide a sturdier opposition to the run, but the Vols improved this spring.

Offensively, tackle Brett Kendrick enjoyed a stellar spring to help solidify a unit needing somebody to step up on the exterior. Sophomore Jashon Robertson also was rewarded with the offense's most improved player.

Fellow sophomore Coleman Thomas is contending with senior Mack Crowder to start at center, and there are position battles all over the field with prospects such as Drew Richmond, Venzell Boulware and Zach Stewart not even on campus yet.

The offensive line isn't a finished product yet, but there are a lot of able players who should give the Vols options to improve on the team's weakest link from a season ago.

"Night and day," head coach Butch Jones said of the offensive line from a season ago. "Again, it's experience. They worked really hard in the weight room, but again we have a long ways to go. It's all about embracing the process. Like we talk about, 'Everyone wants the prize but nobody wants the process.'

"This football team, particularly on the lines of scrimmage, is still going through a process. But I see those individuals continue to develop."

Defensively, the Vols found a couple of needed players to increase the depth on the interior of the defensive line with Kendal Vickers and Shy Tuttle. Defensive ends Andrew Butcher and Chris Weatherd also should help.

When the Vols get all of the injured players back on the defensive line, they may be able to field a group that is not only dynamic rushing the passer as it was a season ago, but also one that can stop the run.

Neither line is where coaches want them yet, but both have reasons to be excited about their 2015 potential.

Quotes and observations obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted. All statistics gathered from UTSports.com, unless otherwise noted. All recruiting information obtained from 247Sports.com.

Brad Shepard covers SEC football and is the Tennessee Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.