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Williams stands out, steps up; Richmond taking key strides

Jalen Reeves-Maybin talks with several Vols' offensive linemen during Thursday's warm-up.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin talks with several Vols' offensive linemen during Thursday's warm-up.


The freakish athletic ability? That’s been obvious in Preston Williams since he arrived on campus.

A former Under Armour All-American, Williams even when he wasn’t on the practice field with his Tennessee teammates last August could be seen leaping hurdles with an anchor chain around his neck.

But Preston Williams the leader? Perhaps.

At one point during Thursday's practice, Williams stepped up after running his route and helped a younger receiver who was having trouble figuring out where to lineup. It's part of his continued growth as he shows wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni he's ready to take a giant leap forward in 2016.

"There has been a ton of growth," Azzanni said. "When you look at Preston and he didn't practice during training camp. I think he practiced two days before the Bowling Green game and he actually played. He really never has had this opportunity to get in there and practice, so he has worked hard this offseason. He's coming along and every day he is coming along. To see those steps in the right direction helping guys line up and going harder. All of those things are progress."

Never lacking for confidence, Williams’ transformation from one that passes the eye test to one that catches passes could prove pivotal for this throw game in the fall. And part of the confidence building has been his work to transform his body in the off-season.

"The winter in the weight room has helped him," Azzanni said. "He really wasn't able to do any lower body stuff last year with the knee injury. So he's a lot stronger and has more confidence in his body. He knows the plays better. Our motto has been better and he's been getting better every day.

"He's looser and more confident. He knows what he's doing a little bit more. He's taking coaching better and those are all steps in the right direction. Still a long way to go, not where we need him to be yet, but he is making progress and that's all I ask."

Added offensive coordinator Mike DeBord of the 6-foot-4-inch, 209-pounder, “You know, I really, I complimented him (Wednesday) and Preston, right now, is really working hard. He’s got the right mind-set; he is doing some really good things. I like where he is and he’s continuing to learn.”

WANTS TO BE GREAT

DeBord likewise was asked about the progress of redshirt-freshman tackle Drew Richmond, who has worked primarily at left tackle but also gotten some work at the right tackle position.

“He wants to be great,” DeBord said of Richmond, adding that consistency is the next step for the 2015 Rivals.com five-star and top overall player in the state of Tennessee.

ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK

Looking to not only grow the passing game, but also expand the running game with longer runs in 2016, the Tennessee receivers are doing everything to help on their end. With some bigger bodies, it's a chance to really have more devastating downfield blocking for a running game that set records last season.

"They are all coming along," Azzanni said. "They can all continue to get better but Preston never blocked a day in his life in high school. That's a welcome change and now he's straining and putting a body on a body. That's the same with Jauan with him playing quarterback so those guys are getting better."

No. 1, No. 2, No. 9?

Much is made of the wide receivers rotation at Tennessee and Azzanni is quick to say that is overblown. He believes this offense can not only have a marquee wideout, but can have several at the same time. It's something that Tennessee battles on the recruiting trail and expanding the passing attack this fall could prove pivotal in landing players like Tee Higgins.

"When you look at this offense, Antonio Brown had 302 catches in three years in this offense," Azzanni said. "The next guy had 294 and the next guy had over 100 (playing 8-9 receivers) and that's why we play so many plays. We want to play 85-90 plays so we have more opportunities for guys to get the ball. If every wide receiver on the field got ten balls then that's only 30 so we still have 50-60 more to go yet. That's how we do it and why we go fast. There can absolutely be an Amari Cooper or Percy Harvin here."

TIME TO SWIM

One young wide receiver that is already here is junior college transfer Jeff George. The rangy 6-foot-6 product has shown an ability to use his frame early in spring ball, but is still a long way from being a consistent contributor in the rotation.

"Another work in progress," Azzanni said. "When you come here from another place, our style of play is so different in our style play and how we play. The 63 effort and the body on a body and all the things that make us different as a program. Those are kind of a shock to some people when they first get here. It's like throwing them in the deep end of the pool and not being able to swim yet. They are gasping for air. That's what it's like for him. That's why we wanted to get him here mid-year because he needs these 15 practices. He needs the summer and I don't think he could have done it if we threw him in in August."

INCREASING THE PACE

Offensive line coach Don Mahoney said there were no words to express how beneficial it was for Drew Richmond and Venzell Boulware to redshirt last season. Both are stronger. Both have a better grasp of the offense and as a result both are doing things faster through five days of practice this spring.

“They are playing faster than they did in the fall without a doubt,” Mahoney said. “I'm proud of Drew. He has done a better job of snapping and clearing when a play is over as opposed to the fall. If something went wrong last fall, it bothered him for two or three plays. He's done a better job of just letting it go and moving on. He does some processing and thinking about it because it's important to him and he wants to be right. He wants to play well. He has to let go faster. He's done that and that's encouraging. He's been able to play more physical in doing so.

“The reps early in the year last year when he was working with us on the travel squad helped as it did with Venzell. Venzell is a lot like Drew in that he wants to be perfect. He wants his stance to be right. His hands to be perfect and all of those things. That slows you down a little bit in your physicality. He's an extremely strong, strong player. I mean he has all the tools. As he continues to get reps and gets confident, you will see that in his play.”

While much of the focus has been on the left tackle position and the former 5-star in Richmond, Mahoney said it's the other tackle spot currently being anchored by Brett Kendrick that has set the pace for his offensive line that's without both Jashon Robertson and Chance Hall this spring.

“Brett Kendrick is playing his best football. He's playing at a different level. He's extremely confident. He's one guy who has separated himself thus far early on. With some of the young guys it's encouraging. There are some things to build on from today. We got knocked around a little bit and we needed to. They need to know how to bounce back from that.”

NO VACATION ALLOWED

Despite not having three starters from a year ago on the practice field Thursday, Mahoney said every day for his unit is a work day as for the first time since he's been with the Vols there's depth which means competition everyday.

“It's good,” Mahoney said. “It's a situation in which it allows guys to be pushed. Competition is always healthy. It's better than it's been. There absolutely are no off-days. You better bring it every day or you are going to get passed up. That's a good place to be in the program. That's where you want to be. You want to consistently have that on their mind that everyday they come to work there is a guy pushing them and we are getting to that point.”

Helping create that competition this spring is improvement from both tackle Dontavius Blair and Austin Sanders, who is also working on the outside.

“I've been encouraged by Blair's play and that's just because he has gotten stronger,” Mahoney offered. “You are seeing it in his play. You are seeing it in the way he's carrying himself. That part has been encouraging. The other guy who has missed a year but is so strong and we are working out at tackle is Austin Sanders. He's working his tail off. He's been inside at guard but he is working hard at tackle. I've been encouraged with the early part of spring with him because of the physical presence he brings.”

PRAISES FOR THE BACKUP QBS

DeBord said sophomore Quinten Dormady had put together back-to-back strong practices this week and also praised the progress of redshirt-freshman Sheriron Jones.

“Quinten has had real good practices, had a real good practice on Tuesday. He followed up by a good one today,” DeBord said.

“Sheriron, I love his mentality right now. He’s working extra, really coming in trying to get extra stuff. Spending a lot of time watching film by himself. Sheriron is continuing to learn and I like where he’s at right now.”

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