Tennessee redshirt freshman Dee Beckwith has been a running back for nearly a year now, and the plan is to keep it that way.
The 6-foot-5, 227-pounder from Florence, Alabama, signed with the Volunteers as a three-star athlete prospect, and he worked last preseason at tight end, wide receiver and running back. His move to running back was at least partially due to low numbers at that position stemming from COVID-19 contact tracing, but that's where he resided last season and this spring.
"We have Dee at running back because we believe that he's a running back, and we want to see him progress," coach Josh Heupel said Wednesday during a news conference that followed his first August practice with the Vols. "I thought during spring ball that his last five practices were his best. He started to understand the principles and using his blockers in front of him, and he started to use his body as a true weapon.
"He learned how to start playing with a little pad leverage, too, because he's a big, tall, long body back there."
Beckwith made his debut on special teams last December against Florida in the Vols' eighth game of the season. His first two carries totaled 24 yards in the win at Vanderbilt, with the season finale against Texas A&M yielding one rush for 1 yard.
Although Beckwith likely will spend this season vying for playing time behind projected starter Jabari Small, he does have more and more NFL body-type examples from which to emulate.
"One of the biggest I've probably been around is Adrian Peterson as far as his length and stature," Heupel said. "Running backs are a little like quarterbacks in that they come in different sizes and different shapes. There is a great one (Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans) a couple of hours down the road that's a big human being who imposes his will on people.
"As I've gone through my tenure in coaching, I've found different skill sets and different body types that can all be weapons with the ball in their hands. You try to utilize that."
Heupel began Wednesday's news conference by smiling and stating, "No, we haven't named a quarterback yet." Given that only a brief portion in the early part of practice is open to the media, the former Oklahoma quarterback and Missouri offensive coordinator was asked how he spends his time.
"Early on, when we get through our stretch period, I try to get over to the defense a little bit," he said. "It's my opportunity to get a chance to see them and to make sure they understand that I'm watching them, too, and that I have a vested interest in that. During the course of some of the individual work, I want to make sure I'm with the offensive unit and the quarterbacks and looking at technique, because sometimes we will have two of those guys going at the same time.
"Then there are certain team periods where I try and step back and will make sure the defense feels my presence when they do positive things. I just want to make sure that you celebrate victories on both sides of the ball."
Heupel said there is no "bad cop, good cop" dynamic among the staff, adding: "We just try to be real, and we feel that we can be real. We want to be transparent in our communication with a player."
Positive energy and good communication among the players were two aspects to Wednesday's opening practice that Heupel liked, and the retention from spring was apparently promising as well.
"I really feel like with pretty much everybody on the offensive unit that we are way ahead of where we finished, and it's the same on the defensive side of the ball," Heupel said. "We've continued to become smart and more understanding of what we're trying to do and operate. I saw all the quarterbacks miss throws, and I saw them all make throws.
"It was day one, but it was a good day."
Transfers acclimated
The Vols added eight players via the NCAA transfer portal since spring practice, and Heupel said each has hit the ground running.
"I think they really are acclimated," he said. "Those guys have been here, and there are a portion of them who have been here since May. They've been good teammates, and they do things the right way. They're helping to build the culture we want in the locker room and on the practice field and ultimately on game day.
"They didn't know how the practices were going to unfold, but they weren't standing out in any way. They went out there and competed really hard."
Heupel singled out linebacker Juwan Mitchell, the leading tackler at Texas last season, in 7-on-7 drills for his ability to position himself for the tackle.
Tennessee has two redshirt sophomore cornerbacks, Kamal Hadden and Brandon Turnage, who were obtained through the portal. Turnage started his career at Alabama, while Hadden began at Independence (Kansas) Community College before signing with Auburn last December and practicing with the Tigers this spring before transferring.
"I think their backgrounds are both from a corner perspective," defensive coordinator Tim Banks said Tuesday, "but as we get into camp and get a chance to legitimately evaluate those guys, I think we'll know more as far as where they'll play and where they'll fit. Our strength coach has been very pleased with the direction those guys are headed in terms of their preparation and how they attacked their summer work.
"We're very eager to see how they attack camp."
Odds and ends
Kaemen Marley, a freshman from Ramseur, North Carolina, is listed as a defensive back but started camp at receiver. ... Freshman tight end Trinity Bell from Albertville, Alabama, is rehabbing an injury from high school and hasn't been cleared to practice. ... Heupel on timing with four quarterbacks: "There are certain throws you're going to make that require touch, and there are some that you're going to drive in there - like slants at times. We have strong-handed receivers who are going to be able to adjust whichever quarterback is playing."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.