KNOXVILLE - The second period of Tennessee's fourth spring practice wasn't up to par Tuesday afternoon.
So Butch Jones used it as an opportunity to remind his competing quarterbacks that their responsibilities go beyond focusing on themselves and their own performances.
The fifth-year head coach made the Volunteers restart the staple pat-and-go warmup drill in which the quarterbacks lob downfield passes to the running backs, receivers and tight ends running less than full speed.
"It's not just about their individual improvement in the competition, but it's about the entire team, and the quarterback's got to set the table," Jones explained after practice. "They've got to put the boat in the water, so to speak, and get us off with great momentum starting practice. It's just like starting a game fast.
"Every rep is a learning opportunity, and that wasn't up to our expectations, so that's a great teaching opportunity to restart the period, and I think you guys saw a little bit different approach once we started the period over, but in football there are no do-overs. You work year-round for 12 opportunities looking to play a few more. Every opportunity out here, whether it's a spring practice, a summer strength and conditioning (day) in the weight room, there can be no wasted days, and that's part of the maturity of a football team of understanding that."
Jones challenged Tennessee's quarterbacks to ensure they're being the right kind of influence because he didn't like how many dropped passes or errant throws there were during the drill.
With a handful of star players moving on to the next level, the Vols are looking for a new cast of leaders and alpha personalities to step into those roles this offseason, and that's certainly the case at quarterback, a position that inherently requires leadership qualities. The main battle to succeed Josh Dobbs may be between junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano, but redshirt sophomore Sheriron Jones and freshman Will McBride add further competition to the position.
Coach Jones has been pleased with what he called a "workmanlike approach" the quarterbacks have taken this spring during practices and meetings.
"They have to worry about just winning the day and getting better, and I see that each and every day," he said. "The biggest thing of playing quarterback, obviously, is taking care of the football and leadership, but consistency in performance every day. You have to be consistent, whether it's on the field or in the meeting room off the field."
The Vols will have their third practice in full pads today, so it's early, but Jones has been pleased how the quarterbacks have avoided turnovers.
"They've done a good job to date, but they haven't been in a lot of situations where I think the ball security has been challenged," he explained. "As practice goes on, we'll have a little bit more of that, but I like the decision-making progress.
"Today the game sped up a little bit for them because our defense had some different exotic blitzes in, some different looks out of the 3-4 alignment that they hadn't seen in a while. It forced them to think. We've got to continue to challenge them of taking care of the football. It's been good to date, but it's going to be ongoing."
Freshmen impressing
Former five-star recruit Trey Smith didn't wait long to start turning the heads of some of his teammates with his size and skills during his first few spring practices.
Limited matchups against the 6-foot-6, 313-pound offensive lineman were all defensive end Darrell Taylor needed to be impressed.
"We play on different sides of the ball, but sometimes when we switch I'll go against him," Taylor said. "I think it's about half and half (who wins), because he's a pretty big guy. He does not (look like a freshman) at all."
Another early enrollee who caught Taylor's attention is linebacker Shanon Reid, whose speed and instincts could help him earn an immediate role on special teams.
"He's standing out pretty much," Taylor said. "He's got a lot to learn, but I think he's doing some good things on the field."
Pro day primer
Representatives from all 32 NFL teams are expected to be in attendance for Tennessee's pro day Friday morning. Tennessee will live-stream position drills on its official Facebook page from 10 to noon. Reporters from the SEC Network and NFL Network also will be in attendance.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.