Tennessee Football: Week 2 Fall Camp Stock Report

Once upon a time, the Tennessee football team struggled to convince any highly rated defensive linemen to come to Knoxville, and the Volunteers defense plummeted to the bottom of the league because of it.

Year after year came and went with UT middling in the trenches. Former coach Phillip Fulmer occasionally found a diamond in the rough during his latter years; Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley rarely did when it came to the defensive front.

Oh, how things have changed under coach Butch Jones and defensive line coach Steve Stripling.

The Vols may have several unresolved questions as the season draws closer, but defensive line isn't one of them. As a matter of fact, UT is deep and loaded at the position, and the group, quite simply, could be special.

Tennessee's players know it, too. Patrick Brown of the Chattanooga Times Free Press tweeted:

Curt Maggitt, Derek Barnett, Kyle Phillips, Dimarya Mixon, Corey Vereen and LaTroy Lewis highlight an extremely talented defensive end rotation that should be among the nation's best.

Though the interior isn't as deep, freshmen Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle join Danny O'Brien, Kendal Vickers and Owen Williams to round out a group that's only going to get better. UT also has some players with enough versatility to slide inside if needed.

Four- and 5-star players are all over the field, and the Vols are playing up to those rankings thus far in camp. Radio show host Seth Stokes tweeted:

Following Saturday night's open practice, there were no comments glossed with coachspeak when Jones discussed his ends. He told Volquest.com's Rob Lewis:

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You can never have enough depth, particularly up front, it can change on one play. But we do have a luxury at the defensive end position that we've never had since we've been here. These individuals continue to grow and develop, they're playing with a lot of confidence. Now we need to continue to get that same depth at the defensive tackle position.

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To say Jones hasn't had this kind of depth on the line since he's been here is an understatement. Tennessee hasn't enjoyed this type of talent revival at the position since the early 2000s, when some of the greatest lines in school history roamed the field.

Everybody talks about McKenzie and Tuttle (and they continue to show flashes of brilliance, reportedly) but an overlooked star is Phillips, the former U.S. Army All-American end from Nashville.

He was the first freshman to have his black helmet stripe removed (a rite of passage where newcomers earn their position group's recognition). 

The same kind of buzz that surrounded Barnett a year ago now is reserved for Phillips.

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Barnett said even when Kyle Phillips messes up he still makes plays. "I don't know how he does it"

— Seth Stokes (@SethStokesTSE) August 16, 2015"

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ICYMI: Butch Jones says Tennessee is 'really, really excited' about freshman defensive end Kyle Phillips. http://t.co/WmmMkMqf7t

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) August 11, 2015"

There's even a possibility that Phillips could start in some sets. Having that kind of depth and talent is huge for a team that is trying to find the right player mix at linebacker.

When you've got a strong defensive line, it can mask a lot of issues. Toss that in with the secondary the Vols are expected to field, and you get an idea why all that excitement is swirling around Knoxville. 

The Vols have to prove it on the field, but right now, it appears that the defensive line is going to be a team strength.

One thing's for sure: They sure are doing stuff daily in practice that is getting caught on Twitter and making fans excited about what's to come, such as this move from Barnett (courtesy of Patrick Murray of WBIR-TV):

 And another weekly domination video from McKenzie:

'North Gate' and More Injuries

Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

When Knoxville's Fox Sports radio affiliate tweeted rumors that Marquez North was "feared lost for the season" on Thursday, it caused a worry frenzy that engulfed the Vol Nation.

Thankfully, after half a day of weeping and gnashing of teeth, Jones squelched the concerns.

"He'll be back here very, very shortly," Jones told Nashville radio station WPRT-FM on Thursday afternoon (via the Chattanooga Times Free Press' Patrick Brown). "He won't miss much time."

Though the 6'3", 229-pound rising junior hasn't proven himself to be a star yet, the reaction to the injury should tell you how valuable UT fans consider him to be.

North is a huge target with elite skills. The wide receiver hasn't put everything together yet, but he has the size and ability to stretch the field. It's big news for UT that he looks like he'll be OK for the season.

UT has endured a very physical training camp so far with only fifth-year senior guard Marcus Jackson expected to miss extended time so far. Though there hasn't been any word on junior defensive end Lewis, he has missed all of camp so far.

The Vols are definitely feeling the effects of the injuries.

According to GoVols247, Jalen Hurd, Alvin Kamara, John Kelly, Jack Jones, Brett Kendrick, Jason Croom, Cody Blanc, Darrell Miller, Dillon Bates, Cortez McDowell, Stephen Griffin, Andrew Butcher, Chris Weatherd, Evan Berry, Cameron Sutton and Jalen Reeves-Maybin missed or were limited in the open practice.

None are feared out for a long while.

Passing Fancy

Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

If Tennessee is going to do what its fans want and win some marquee matchups this season, the Vols are going to have to fare better in the vertical passing game than they have in the past two seasons.

The early returns in that department are mixed.

Though Joshua Dobbs has been one of the toasts of college football this offseason, the bottom line is his accuracy is a developing trait. Considering the receivers have been an injury-riddled letdown the past couple of years, their improvement during camp is welcome. But the consistency still isn't there yet.

"That'll be a work in progress," Jones told the Tennessean's Matt Slovin. "We have made progress but not to where we're game ready yet."

The freshman duo of Jauan Jennings and Vincent Perry continues to show flashes of brilliance, and potential stars like Pig Howard, Josh Smith and Josh Malone have had their moments. The unit really misses North and Jason Croom, who've been hobbled. But once they return, that group will be exciting to watch.

It's all going to depend on Dobbs' accuracy beyond eight to 10 yards downfield and how UT adapts to new coordinator Mike DeBord's play-calling. If all that works out, the Vols could be potent because everything being mentioned around the running game right now is extremely positive.

Rocky Top Roundup

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

• Nobody seems to have a firm grasp on the middle linebacker role yet. Redshirt junior Kenny Bynum and walk-on Colton Jumper have gotten most of the positive coach praise thus far, but freshman Darrin Kirkland Jr. is coming on strong. That's a battle that will be waged over the next 15-20 days.
• The Vols continue to mix and match personnel on the offensive line, but as of now, it appears that the five that most often go out with the first team are left tackle Kyler Kerbyson, left guard Jashon Robertson, center Mack Crowder, right guard Jack Jones and right tackle Coleman Thomas.
• Not only is redshirt sophomore running back Alvin Kamara making an impact, he's already being referred to as the voice of the offense by the coaching staff. Indeed, Kamara is always in front of the media, and the quotable runner said this week that having him, Jalen Hurd and Dobbs in the same backfield has the potential to be "scary."

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Alvin Kamara on the packages that put him, Jalen Hurd and Josh Dobbs on the field at the same time: 'It's going to be scary.'

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) August 11, 2015"

All recruiting information obtained from 247Sports unless otherwise noted. All stats gathered from UTSports.com unless otherwise noted. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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