Tennessee’s Quart’e Sapp, left, goes against Gavin Bryant during practice earlier this month. Sapp made several big plays at linebacker during the Vols’ second scrimmage of the spring last weekend.KNOXVILLE – When Bob Shoop spoke to the media Thursday, he was sure one of his unproven outside linebackers would stand out in practice later that afternoon.
The new defensive coordinator for the Volunteers just had no way of knowing which one.
The absence of Jalen Reeves-Maybin for all but one week of spring practice has meant more opportunities for some younger players, but each has made an impression at different times this month.
“It depends on what day you catch me,” Shoop said. “That’s kind of how it’s played out.”
“Cortez McDowell has played in games and has that to his advantage, and he came out on Tuesday and had his best practice of the year. He had a big interception in a third-down drill. He ran to the ball and did some good things, and I’ve really tried to challenge him over the last six practices to take his game to the next level and separate.