KNOXVILLE – The quarterback, starting running back, many of the wide receivers and the offensive coordinator are new for Tennessee this season.
But the Volunteers’ offense may not look drastically different than it did the past two years under coordinator Mike DeBord, head coach Butch Jones explained Friday in response to a question about the unit’s “new” look.
“It’s really not the new offense,” Jones said after the Vols’ concluded their 15th practice. “It’s the Tennessee offense. Not much has changed there, maybe just some run schemes. Some more gap schemes and things like that. Obviously, a different passing game and some nuances. But it’s Tennessee’s offense.”
First-year coordinator Larry Scott called plays from the booth of Neyland Stadium on Thursday, when the Vols scrimmaged for the first time in preseason camp.
The scrimmage was closed to media. Jones said the team played “about 85” snaps, not including special teams, and he said “valuable repetitions” were gained and that there were “no injuries.” The first scrimmage was originally scheduled for last weekend, but concerns about injuries on the offensive line played a role in the decision to postpone it.
Senior offensive tackle Brett Kendrick, who has been nursing an ankle injury, participated in the scrimmage as the Vols continue their quest for continuity on that side of the ball, specifically with a nicked-up offensive line that has yet to return to full strength.
“The first scrimmage is always huge learning for some of the freshmen,” Kendrick said. “We got some numbers back, and we got to see what we could do versus the defense just out there playing football in a little controlled scrimmage.”
Junior safety Micah Abernathy shared that cornerbacks D.J. Henderson and Marquill Osborne each had interceptions during the scrimmage, though he didn’t specify which quarterback they came against.
Tennessee scored a school-record 473 points under Debord in 2016 with NFL draft selections Joshua Dobbs, Alvin Kamara and Josh Malone. Scott was on staff as the tight ends coach last year and talked Sunday about how the offense will change with those veteran playmakers departed.
“Now we have a new young crop of kids that have worked hard,” Scott said. “Obviously, they’re talented or they wouldn’t be putting on the uniform here at the University of Tennessee, and we’ve got to help mold and get their skill and talent level out on the field.”
Kendrick said Scott has put in “some different plays” for the offense, but Scott has continued to keep any new schemes out of the public eye, preferring instead to highlight his personnel philosophies.
“We’re going to play to what our strengths are,” Scott said, “and what this group of young people bring to the table and what they do really well.”
One less Yellow Jacket
Dedrick Mills, who ran for 771 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman at Georgia Tech last season, was dismissed from the program Friday. Mills was set to be Georgia Tech’s leading returning rusher.
Tennessee opens its season Sept. 4 against the Yellow Jackets at Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Jones said the news will not affect the Vols’ preparation.
“I believe they were 3-0 without him last year. They have a system obviously that’s very challenging,” Jones said. “They have good players and they have a very solid defense, good special teams. This is a complete football team we’re playing.”
Suspensions?
Asked about rumors a Tennessee player or players could be suspended for the season opener, Jones did not confirm or deny.
“I know there’s a lot of rumors out there, and I don’t comment on rumors,” he said. “If there is a suspension, I think we’ve been pretty consistent. We’ll make an announcement and we’ll talk about that.”
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.