KNOXVILLE - Today's Orange and White Game at Neyland Stadium will provide a public proving ground for a number of Tennessee football players hoping to parlay strong springs into impactful seasons for the Volunteers.
Chief among them are defensive backs Justin Martin and Nigel Warrior, who have garnered consistent praise from defensive assistant coaches through 14 spring practices leading into today's intrasquad scrimmage.
"Honestly, the guy who's had the most consistent spring is Justin Martin," defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said Thursday. "He's really stepped up his game and done everything he's been asked to do. In the meeting room, on the practice field and as a teammate, he's done really well.
Martin, a senior cornerback, is establishing himself as a leader entering his third season in the program after transferring from Northeast Oklahoma A&M. Although he played during his first two seasons at Tennessee, he struggled to cement his place on the depth chart.
With the exit of Cameron Sutton, a likely NFL draft selection, Martin is stepping up to fill the void.
"His commitment and dedication to being a great player, I've seen a change in him," defensive backs coach Charlton Warren said. "Just today, I told him how much I appreciate that and that the team appreciates what he's done this spring. I've told him now he has to take that, run with it and do more."
Warrior, a sophomore safety, has "probably leveled off a little bit," Shoop said. But the coach also said that's to be expected.
"He's had a good spring overall," Shoop said.
New beginnings at defensive end
The departures of Derek Barnett, LaTroy Lewis and Corey Vereen leave Tennessee with gaps to fill at defensive end. But Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor have given Shoop reason for optimism.
"I feel like (they) are going to give us a pretty good one-two punch at defensive end," Shoop said. "Everyone is going to look and point and say, 'You lost Barnett and Vereen and LaTroy Lewis,' but those two guys are good football players. And the rookie DeAndre Johnson has had a really good spring as well."
Johnson and fellow early enrollee Shanon Reid, a linebacker, have performed serviceably in Shoop's assessment. Both will get the chance to showcase their skills in front of fans at Neyland Stadium for the first time as they prepare to be joined by the rest of the 2017 signing class this summer in preseason camp.
"He and Shanon both have flashed to the point where if they had to go into the game, they could function," Shoop said.
Hey, Trey: Smith may be very busy
Lauded freshman offensive tackle Trey Smith figures to get plenty of attention today. The 6-foot-6, 313-pounder could play his way into the rotation on an experienced offensive line this fall.
He and fellow early enrollee Riley Locklear have earned plenty of repetitions in practice this spring while others on the offensive line went through rehabilitation for injuries, and both will get plenty of work today.
Fans will get their view of QB battle
Quarterbacks coach Mike Canales has heard people saying Tennessee's QBs are hungry. Canales said they're starving to be "the guy."
The competition for the starting spot, which pits junior Quinten Dormady against redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano, will last for months to come. But the two - along with Sheriron Jones, Will McBride and Zak Jancek - will get the chance to line up behind center and razzle and dazzle in front of fans today.
"Obviously, they understand Saturday won't be the deciding factor on who is going to be the starting quarterback," Canales said. "But they get that it's important in front of people. They want to go out and show well, and they're anxious to get on the field."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.