KNOXVILLE - J.J. Peterson continues to play on Tennessee's scout team during practices, but the highest-rated prospect from the Volunteers' 2018 signing class is impressing at least one teammate in his quest to make up for lost time.
"I preach to J.J. all the time," junior linebacker Daniel Bituli said Tuesday. "We text. We talk a lot of times. He's really eager to learn about the game of football. Those are the types of guys we need, and we're really excited to have him here."
Peterson arrived on campus the weekend of Tennessee's season opener after academic issues kept him from enrolling with the rest of the freshman class. Coach Jeremy Pruitt noted that Peterson was out of competitive shape and was months behind in schematic understanding when he started practicing.
"We understand the situation he's in, because we were in his shoes just a couple months ago," Bituli said. "So to be able to preach to him and for him to be able to learn, it's really been a fun process."
Tennessee rotated four players at its two middle linebacker spots in a 38-12 loss to Georgia two weekends ago. Bituli, Darrin Kirkland Jr., Quart'e Sapp and Will Ignont each recorded at least four tackles.
It will be an uphill battle for Peterson to crack that rotation this season as he continues making up for lost time, but Pruitt stressed the need for depth at inside linebacker this week.
"I think we have four guys that can execute what we're trying to get done," Pruitt said. "I think all four of them will tell you that they've not played their best game yet. They're working hard to improve. We've got good competition. That's important."
Friendly scouting
Senior safety Micah Abernathy watched Auburn's loss to Mississippi State last week for a couple of purposes.
"Well them being our next opponent, obviously I'm trying to scout it," Abernathy said. "But I have a couple friends on that team, so I was kind of pulling for them a little bit. Just a little bit."
Abernathy played with Auburn junior receiver Darius Slayton at Greater Atlanta Christian School. Slayton is Auburn's second-leading receiver with 17 receptions for 246 yards and a touchdown this season.
Quiet emergence
Fifth-year senior defensive lineman Alexis Johnson came to Tennessee from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas and redshirted in 2016. He appeared in 11 games last season, totaling 14 tackles. He's already surpassed that with 22 tackles this season as a regular starter and served as a captain for the East Tennessee State game.
"I feel like I've waited my turn and taken advantage of it," Johnson said Tuesday.
Johnson credited part of his progression to first-year defensive line coach Tracy Rocker.
"I feel like I can definitely see my game has grown since he got here," Johnson said. "He's been a good mentor. He really gets after us."
Thaxton dealt with
A domestic assault charge against former Tennessee linebacker and defensive end Ryan Thaxton has been dismissed, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported Tuesday.
Thaxton can have a second charge of false imprisonment dismissed if he completes judicial diversion, according to the report. He pleaded guilty to that.
Pruitt dismissed Thaxton from the team following his July 15 arrest.
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.