Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway and trainers help quarterback Jarrett Guarantano up after he was injured during last November’s home game against Southern Miss. Injuries were a problem for the Vols under former coach Butch Jones, and new coach Jeremy Pruitt is emphasizing being mindful of teammates’ health during practices.KNOXVILLE – Tennessee’s football team will be walking a “fine line,” coach Jeremy Pruitt said, as it ramps up the physicality Sunday at Neyland Stadium during the Volunteers’ first preseason scrimmage.
Pruitt has said he is searching for consistent toughness from his players, but they’re also learning a form of practice etiquette that prioritizes the team’s overall health.
If the Vols are to correct last season’s 4-8 record this year in Pruitt’s first season as coach, they must fix one of the primary problems that led to former coach Butch Jones’ demise. Tennessee led the nation in missed starts the past two seasons amid a rash of injuries, some of which occurred on the practice field.
“You’ve got to stay off the ground, you’ve got to stay under control and don’t take cheap shots at people that aren’t looking,” Pruitt said. “You take care of your teammates. I think our guys are learning that. We’re much better than when we first got here, so we’ve got to continue to improve on that.”
Pruitt’s words insinuate that before the new staff arrived, Tennessee players were accustomed to practicing in a more forceful fashion. Most 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 portions of practice under Jones were closed to media. Pruitt’s practices follow a similar protocol, but he has alluded to “knowing how to practice” multiple times since preseason practices started this month.