Von Pearson 'progressing well' for UT Vols

photo JuCo transfer receiver Von Pearson practices with the Tennessee Vols.

KNOXVILLE - An ankle sprain slowed Von Pearson's debut season at Tennessee before it ever really got going.

Now the junior college transfer receiver is settling into a larger role in the Volunteers' offense as his health improves.

Pearson missed two games and was heavily limited in two more after suffering the injury after a promising first quarter against Arkansas State back in September, but he's caught 12 passes for 102 yards in Tennessee's last three games.

"He's progressing well," receivers coach Zach Azzanni said after Wednesday's practice. "Typical first-year junior college guy, just the whole shock and the deal of learning the offense and getting thrown into the lineup like he did, he's had a good couple weeks of practice.

"The injury didn't help at all. That really set him back. He's starting to feel better now, and he's starting to know the offense better know. I think it's taken a little bit longer than I maybe have wanted, but it's coming along now. I'm pleased with him. He's starting to understand a little bit, so it's fun to watch."

The 6-foot-3, 183-pound Pearson, who's also gotten four carries in the past two games as the Vols incorporated the jet-sweep motion into their offense after inserting Josh Dobbs at quarterback, caught a 42-yard pass at South Carolina, giving him the two longest receptions by a Tennessee player this season.

He took a short throw for a 56-yard gain against Arkansas State before his injury.

Of course, Pearson also missed a block on the perimeter against the Gamecocks and knocked the ball out of Dobbs's hands when coming in motion across Tennessee's offensive formation to mix some bad plays with his good ones.

"They're all like that," Azzanni said. "He's a knucklehead at times, and he knows that, but he also makes up for it and makes some really good plays. He's passionate, and he plays with a lot of juice and energy, and it makes up sometimes for some of those mistakes. He's fun to coach."

Versatile Kerbyson

No player symbolizes the shuffling Tennessee has had to do on its offensive line more than Kyler Kerbyson, who's started at three different positions in nine games this season.

The junior from Knoxville started the first two games of the season at right tackle before Jacob Gilliam's injury prompted his flip to left tackle, where he started the next five games. Marcus Jackson's one-game absence due to injury forced Kerbyson to slide inside to left guard. With Jackson back against South Carolina, Kerbyson was back at left tackle.

"The part that's probably his biggest strength is his mental capacity that he has of understanding of offense," Vols offensive line coach Don Mahoney said. "Here's something that's always important for linemen: You have to know what your deficiency is, (recognize) that and know how to overcome it."

Mahoney said NFL scouts told him former Tennessee guard Zach Fulton, currently starting as a rookie for the Kansas City Chiefs after they took him in the sixth round of May's draft, was an example of that.

Kerbyson is better suited at guard, but he's had to play tackle with the Vols limited for options there.

"Kyler's done a good job of being able to understand the offense, reading defenses and being able to allow himself to be one step ahead (and) giving himself a chance to execute the block at different positions," Mahoney said. "That's been his strong suit. ... He's the one guy that has the ability to play really every position.

"Tackle's one that he's fought his way. Naturally, by stature, you'd like the guys to be a lot taller at that position, but again, he finds a way to fight his way into a battle at that position. That's what he's done, really, all year."

Big Blue's big plays

Tennessee coach Butch Jones noted earlier this week how much Kentucky has upgraded its speed at the offensive skill positions, and the Wildcats' big-play ability bears that out.

Kentucky is tied for 35th nationally with 49 plays of 20-plus yards in 10 games this season after totaling just 48 such plays in 2013 and 39 in 2012. The Wildcats have 25 plays of 30-plus yards (ranks tied for 23rd in the FBS) and 17 plays of 40-plus yards (t-9th). Only Marshall, Ole Miss, Marshall and Colorado State have more than Kentucky's 11 plays of 50 or more yards.

The tailback tandem of Stanley "Boom" Williams and Braylon Heard have a big hand in that, but Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek said quarterback Patrick Towles is playing with "a lot of confidence" and powering Kentucky.

"In the throw game, if it's not there, he takes the ball, tucks it and takes off," Jancek said. "He'll hurt you with his feet. I can't tell you the number of times I've seen him in third-and-longs, if it's not there, just tuck the ball and go pick up a first down. We have a huge challenge in all areas."

Status updates

Tailbacks Jalen Hurd (precaution) and Marlin Lane (ankle) and receiver Marquez North (shoulder) all were in non-contact jerseys again as Tennessee practiced outside in 43-degree weather on Wednesday.

Freshman tailback Derrell Scott continues to wear a cast on his right wrist as he works through a thumb injury.

Trevarris Saulsberry (knee) won't play against Kentucky, but the big defensive tackle was doing some jogging on the side of Wednesday's practice.

Freshman defensive tackle Michael Sawyers again missed practice with an illness, while redshirting freshman defensive end Joe Henderson, who is sitting out due to an academic issue after the NCAA Eligibility Center flagged one of his test scores, is scheduled to retake that test next week.

Four finalists

A quartet of in-state commitments in Tennessee's 2015 recruiting class were named Mr. Football finalists on Wednesday: Coalfield offensive linemen Zach Stewart (Class A), Murfreesboro Oakland offensive lineman Jack Jones (Class AAA), Maryville defensive end Dylan Jackson (Class AAA) and Murfreesboro Blackman quarterback Jauan Jennings (Class AAA).

The Vols are still recruiting two other finalists in Memphis University School offensive tackle Drew Richmond, who's committed to Ole Miss, and Pearl-Cohn running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn.

Winners will be announced during a ceremony in Murfreesboro on Dec. 1, the Monday after Tennessee finishes its regular season at Vanderbilt.

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