KNOXVILLE – Out on Tennessee’s indoor practice field, Josh Dobbs already was getting ready for next season – or should that be this season? – throwing passes to teammates, running just to run, smiling and laughing the way a superbly gifted starting quarterback should this time of year.
And such dedication hasn’t been lost on the Vols’ new kids on the block, that midterm class of early enrollees who hope to get a jump on their fellow incoming freshmen by experiencing both college schoolwork and spring football practice.
“Guys are already working out, even though they were playing a little more than a week ago,” said incoming quarterback Quinten Dormady, who was wrapping up his classes at Boerne (Texas) High School this time last month. “That’s good to see, and as we start team workouts here it’ll be fun.”
Added Jauan Jennings, the Murfreesboro Riverdale graduate early Tuesday afternoon, “It felt so great to finally be down here and be a part of the team. Not just part of recruiting class, but a part of the team.”
They are now officially a part of Team 119, the newest and youngest part, the part that might one day have the biggest ability to move Tennessee into position to challenge for a spot in a future College Football Playoff.