KNOXVILLE -- It's been a week of practice since Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden's old position became his new position, and his defensive coordinator already is seeing results.
Bob Shoop praised Gaulden for what he's brought to the nickel cornerback position, where the redshirt sophomore was set to play a year before an injury ended his season and preceded a move to safety.
"Love it," Shoop said Friday before the Volunteers practiced. "He's probably a little bit better closer to the ball, when he gets his hands on a receiver, when he triggers in the run game. I've said this before, and even the players have kind of said this to you guys, the nickel position, the job description is very similar to that of the safety. I kind of like to think of those guys as interchangeable parts."
For most of the offseason it appeared Gaulden would be one of Tennessee's starting safeties alongside Todd Kelly Jr., but the preseason performances of Micah Abernathy and star freshman Nigel Warrior prompted the coaching staff to look at Gaulden back at his previous position.
It's where he was poised for a potential breakout season in 2015, but a preseason foot injury squashed those hopes before the kickoff of the season opener.
Cornerback Malik Foreman catches a kickoff during Tennessee's practice at Neyland Stadium on Aug. 15, 2016.In Gaulden's stead Malik Foreman took over at the nickel spot and struggled early in the season before playing his best football later in the year. He's the more proven player, but Gaulden is making it a competition. It's not clear who will start, but both should play.
Between those three positions -- the two safety spots and the nickel position -- Shoop believes the Vols have six fairly interchangeable pieces in Gaulden, Foreman, Kelly, Abernathy, Warrior and Stephen Griffin, who Shoop said is one of the team's most improved players.
"Between Rashaan, Micah and T.K., they've got a nice feel for one another in there," Shoop said. "When you watch Rashaan trigger in the run game ... he does an excellent job of that. He can cover a slot receiver. He can blitz and all those things.
"And that's not to discount Malik. Malik's had a really good camp as well. I'm really excited about what he can do."
Middle men
Darrin Kirkland Jr. is poised for a big season as Tennessee's middle linebacker, and as the Vols near the season opener against Appalachian State the pecking order behind him has sorted itself out.
Former Baylor School standout Colton Jumper will be Kirkland's backup, following by redshirt sophomore Gavin Bryant and freshman Daniel Bituli.
"Colton Jumper's had a good camp," Shoop said. "He's been our most consistent performer. I also like Gavin Bryant. Jumper's ahead of Bryant right now. Gavin's been a good player on special teams for us in the past and is a valuable -- he's 'made the team.' We're really excited about the future of Daniel Bituli.
"He's got a long way to go as far as learning the package. When Coach (Butch Jones) talked the other day about not getting lined up a couple times, it was probably him in the scrimmage. He's right a find-ball, get-ball type of guy, and he's got tremendous potential."
Colton Jumper (53) from Baylor School and Cortez McDowell (20) get ready to play defense in Tennessee's Orange/White spring football game last April 16 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.Jumper began last season ahead of Kirkland, but he struggled in a trio of starts against Bowling Green, Oklahoma and Florida before giving away to the talented freshman.
"The games that he played the most in were Bowling Green and Oklahoma," Shoop said, "and those games are games where the middle linebacker can get exposed and be spread out all over the place by really good athletes.
"He's smart. He gets the unit lined up. He's got great leadership qualities. He's got great communication qualities. He diagnoses run and pass plays well, he's played fast and he's been really very, very consistent, so I'm excited.
"I think we're foolish if we think D.K. and Jalen (Reeves-Maybin) are going to play every single snap of the year, and he's ready. He's ready to take the next step. And keep in mind last year was the first time he'd seen any action as well."
Status updates
Tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Larry Scott indicated safety and return man Evan Berry (undisclosed) would return "soon" and indicated Tennessee is continuing to sort out its options at kickoff returner in Berry's absence.
Shoop had a positive update regarding defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (leg).
"Encouraged is a good word," he said. "He's still got a ways to go. Going in individual drills, then going in practice and team sessions and things like that -- I thought yesterday was his best. Clearly we're still 13 days from the game, so I'm very, very encouraged, as a matter of fact."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.