The freshman season for Tennessee running back Daune Morris went about as expected last year, as the 5-foot-10, 198-pounder from Chattanooga got those obligatory late-game carries in blowout victories over East Tennessee State, UAB and New Mexico State.
Yet there was also the Florida game.
In Tennessee’s biggest victory of the season — the Volunteers entered Gainesville last November having lost 10 straight times in the Swamp — Morris earned a season-high 14 carries in helping salt away a 31-11 triumph over the Gators. Only DeSean Bishop, who rushed for 1,076 yards last season, received more carries for Tennessee on that memorable night.
“I think that helped me understand my goal and what I was working towards coming into this season,” Morris said in a recent press conference. “I understood what it would take coming into this spring and how much I have to dial into my offseason work. I feel like I’ve grown just understanding what it takes to be in this league and doing the right things on and off the field.
“It’s just a different standpoint now from your freshman year. You have a better understanding of the game.”
The Vols were off Wednesday and are scheduled to conduct their second spring scrimmage inside Neyland Stadium on Thursday morning. They will then have Easter weekend off.
Morris began last season outside the top trio of Bishop, Star Thomas and Peyton Lewis at running back, but he wound up playing in seven of Tennessee’s 13 games. He tallied 33 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown, while also returning three kickoff returns for 92 yards and three punt returns for 24 yards.
“I’m really proud of Daune and his growth as a young player,” Vols coach Josh Heupel said after the win in Gainesville. “We have total trust in him in the return game as well as playing the running back position. He has all the traits, and now it’s all understanding and growth and practice habits and consistency. Everybody believes and trusts in him — pass protection or whatever it might be.
“It’s how you become a good player and then a great player. There are no shortcuts. You’ve got to go through the forest, and you’ve got to go through the work. I’m proud of what he’s done this year.”
With Thomas out of eligibility and having turned his focus to the NFL, and with Lewis having transferred to Virginia, there is an opportunity for Morris to be Bishop’s top backup. Also vying with Morris for that role are fellow sophomores Javin Gordon (a transfer from Tulane) and Justin Baker.
“With Daune, you’ve seen him grow and mature,” Tennessee running backs coach De’Rail Sims said. “That joker now is doing the things necessary in terms of being a pro in terms of his mindset. You see the way he goes and attacks it on the field now. You see the way he carries himself in the meeting room and the entire building.
“Last year, he was a guy transitioning from being the best player on the field in high school to coming in and having to compete. You’re seeing him now rise to the occasion in those situations. His pass protection has gotten better, and you see him being physical. You see him putting hands on people now.”
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Morris, who played at Red Bank as a high school sophomore before competing his final two prep seasons at Murfreesboro’s Oakland, just wants the improving to continue.
“I feel like I’m a lot faster in the read game and in the run game,” Morris said. “I’m able to pick up blocks, and I’m understanding where my eyes should be. I’m just playing a lot faster than last year.”
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.