LaDarrell McNeilKNOXVILLE – After a two-day respite from Haslam Field, Tennessee’s football team was back at practice on Tuesday afternoon.
And for the first time this spring, the pads were on.
After practicing on Friday and Saturday in just helmets, the Volunteers were in full gear on Tuesday, and head coach Butch Jones marked the occasion by calling for his favored circle drill right after the team’s stretching period early in practice.
The circle drill challenges a player’s toughness and competitive drive. Jones will call out one offensive player and one defensive player to face up in a three-point stance and try to drive the other back as the entire team forms a circle around the two combatants.
It was a staple of Jones’ practice during last season, and it made its 2014 debut on Tuesday. Among the winners were guard Dylan Wiesman and two newcomers: tight end Daniel Helm and linebacker Jakob Johnson. Receiver Von Pearson did well in a matchup with cornerback Justin Coleman.