KNOXVILLE -- For the first time in this year's edition of spring football practice, Tennessee took its work inside Neyland Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In what was another first, the open-viewing period of the Volunteers' practice included a lengthy team period of 11-on-11 football.
Junior college transfer running back Alvin Kamara and rising sophomore safety Evan Berry were two of the standouts of the brief scrimmaging on Saturday.
Here are some other notes and observations:
> Kamara, the former Alabama freshman, showed why everyone, from his teammates and coaches to others around the program, have been raving about his ability since he enrolled in January. On the first series for the first-team offense, Kamara took a handoff, found the edge and took off down the sideline.
The run probably went for about 30 yards and set up a goal-to-go situation, and Kamara punched it in on fourth-and-goal from inside the 1-yard line, though it looked like he'd scored on third down.
> Berry made two excellent plays on the first series for the second-teamers. He read a screen pass, darted toward the ball and finished it off with a hard hit that drew a reaction from his teammates on the sideline. Berry then snatched an interception while defending a tight end on a corner route.
> The first and second teams each got two series. The starters scored a touchdown on a 50-yard drive on their first series, but went three-and-out on the second. The second group, led by freshman quarterback Quinten Dormady, bounced back with an Aaron Medley field goal on its second series, though Josh Malone dropped a would-be first-down catch on third down after Dormady scrambled out of the pocket and threw on target.
> Austin Sanders, the former Bradley Central High School standout, continues to get some first-team work at left guard. Marcus Jackson is the returning starter there, but he's out for the spring (shoulder). Dylan Wiesman began spring getting some work there, but he's now with the second group at center.
> The second-team offensive line includes Dontavius Blair at left tackle and an all-freshman right side of guard Chance Hall and tackle Jack Jones.
> Kenny Bynum continues to plug away at the second linebacker spot alongside Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and Gavin Bryant got some second-team work alongside Cortez McDowell.
> Freshman Shy Tuttle and Kendal Vickers were the first-team defensive tackles.
> Ray Raulerson and tight end Neiko Creamer were among those not participating in Saturday's practice, though both the redshirt freshmen were dressed out as they worked out on the side.
> Receiver Jason Croom, coming off December surgery, was catching some passes on the sideline during practice in what was the first action he's been seen doing since dislocated his kneecap during bowl prep.
> Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart and new basketball coach Rick Barnes were among the spectators at Saturday's practice.
More practice coverage online and in Sunday's Times Free Press. Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.