Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh was asked Saturday afternoon to single out those who have performed well through two spring football practices for the Volunteers, and he was happy to oblige.
“Jabari Small has been really impressive,” Golesh said. “We were all excited to see what he can do. As far as guys who have stood out, I would say that Jabari has been one for sure, and probably that O-line group as a whole.
“They are knowing how the operation works and are getting on the right people and are playing fast.”
Small is Tennessee’s top returning rusher from last year, having amassed 26 carries for 117 yards as a freshman. His best showing was 48 yards on six carries in the 42-17 thumping of a depleted Vanderbilt, but he did play in all 10 games.
Golesh described Dee Beckwith as a “fascinating body type” and added that junior-college transfer Tiyon Evans has been solid. Velus Jones and Jimmy Calloway are the receivers Golesh mentioned, and he complimented quarterbacks Harrison Bailey, Hendon Hooker and Brian Maurer for showing improvement from an operational standpoint between the first and second practices.