Freshmen are all over Tennessee’s first depth chart of the 2009 football season. And if Saturday’s scrimmage was any indication, coach Lane Kiffin will back it up.
Janzen Jackson started at free safety Saturday with the No. 1 defense, a surprise considering junior Dennis Rogan worked there most of camp.
Nu’Keese Richardson was the first man to go deep on punt returns — and he fumbled one before the day was over.
Richardson was listed ahead of Brandon Warren at receiver and Marsalis Teague and Zach Rogers could end up starting if the Vols open in a three-wide formation.
Redshirt freshman Aaron Douglas opened at right tackle with the No. 1 offensive line, getting the jump on Jarrod Shaw.
Mike Edwards is bracketed with sophomore Anthony Anderson at left cornerback, although Anderson got the start Saturday.
Bryce Brown is bracketed with senior Montario Hardesty at tailback. Hardesty opened the scrimmage and the reps were divided fairly evenly.
The format Saturday was the two-deep depth chart guys against a scout team.
Jonathan Crompton took almost all the snaps at quarterback until Nick Stephens got some work late.
Ben Martin, listed a surprising third on the depth chart at defensive end, started in place of Chris Walker, who is being held out until next week.
Also sidelined Saturday were left guard Vlad Richard and tight end Jeff Cottam. Kiffin said he expects both back on Monday as preparation for the Sept. 5 opener against Western Kentucky begins in earnest.
Filling in for Richard were a rotation of Cory Sullins, Cody Pope and William Brimfield.
Notebook: Tailback Tauren Poole got shaken up on punt coverage early Saturday and didn’t take any snaps on offense. Tight end Sam Bartholmew appeared to suffer an ankle injury. ... The scout team defense recorded a safety, tackling Hardesty in the end zone. ... Eric Gordon had a nice end-zone interception off scout-team quarterback Nick Lamaison.
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Comments » 35
ULTIMATE_VOL_WARRIOR writes:
Talent first.....seniority last--the way coaching should be.
volzz writes:
i guess he is not a liar
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Sometimes the baby has to go out with the bathwater. We were in bad shape.
stayingorange writes:
What is up with Q. Hancock now that the season is upon us? He seemed to have a great spring but I've heard very little about him at all in preseason. An all freshmen 3 wide is fine if they're the best on the field, just doesn't seem like the team should have to resort to that with vets. like Hancock out there. We need the Q. Last year he had a strong spring then barely saw the field for games. Maybe it's more him than coaching.
BigT_Chief writes:
So far, Kiffin has stuck to his guns and has done what he said he would do. Can't fault the man for that. I love it.
VolunteerPassion writes:
They may not be so hot this yeat, but at least they will have experience next! 6 1/2 days!!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!
alavol writes:
Here is good locker room material for CLK from the Wall Street Journal, of all sports papers! Used it to rub nose in with Bama Fans. Berry for Heisman! Go Vols, surprise everyone, especially the WSJ! http://www.emailthis.clickability.com...
RollTideJoe writes:
BAMA fans not worried.
KiFFiNOMiCS writes:
Put your BEST athletes on the field in space where they can make plays.....sad to hear it sounds like the freshman are better than the skilled veterans...oh well...if they are better then they belong in my book...can't blame them CLK preached it since his arrival...that's KiFFiNOMiCS 101 for you!
Ironcity writes:
I think Hancock started with the ones
Ironcity writes:
Its good to see Kiffin going with the best instead of seniority but this many Freshman starting suggest a real lack of talent in a number of positions and likely a difficult year against the skilled and experienced teams we play. I hate to say it, but the position I really wanted to see some Freshman start at were at linebacker and that hasn't happened yet.
VOLbackfromKorea writes:
I'm all about putting the best on the field no matter how young they are but I can't get BAMA's choke job out of my mind. They started several freshman last year, did very well and choked under preasure against flor-duh and a good Utah team. Are our freshman ready for the big time that is the SEC? I hope so... Go get em coach's and GO VOLS!!!
GerryOP writes:
You wouldn't hear me complaining if we "choked" our way to 12-2 like Alabama did last year!
7 -- Fear The Kiffin...
VOLbackfromKorea writes:
Obviously, 12-2 would be great but we need to beat WKU first and a lot of people consider BAMA's 12-2 a failed season. Lose the last 2 biggest games of the year and you can see why. I think it's awesome but I'm a VOL fan!!!
amstelman writes:
Talent on the field...YES!
Bryce will be a stud, I know...out on a limb, but over 1000 is attainable if the Vols run as much as I think they will. Montario should be a close second. Two over 1000 asking too much?
Q will be the #1 receiver, but that may be attributed to being pushed by NKR. Disagree?
Who wouldn't take 8-4 and be happy?
Can't wait ... GO VOLS!!!
Pdiddy10 writes:
we need to get this out to recruits. they all love to play early. tell all the recruits they will play early we need that michael guy. the top running back. that would be great! go vols!
VOLbackfromKorea writes:
2 at 1000 means SEC glory. I'm not sure about that kind of production considering our O-line last year. I know it's a new year but ??? Same goes for protection to throw the ball to those route runners. Crompton get's a lot of phooey for last year but his line did NOT protect him. Who knows what will happen but I'll be happy with .500 and a bowl game.
lynbyrd99#1372317 writes:
I guess you did not read the other article. I believe it says Hancock is starting at receiver. This one is only talking about the freshman. I heard he has done a great job and yes last years it was the coaches. He is a starter this year................
UTVolAlum writes:
Who is tight-end Sam Bartholmew????
Is that Ben Bartholmew's cousin?
DennisVols writes:
Vol frosh game ready?
http://tennessee.scout.com/2/893112.html
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
Joevolsxtra writes:
If Chubby thought that way he wouldn't be begging for a Louisville job and we might have a few more championships.
Pullingguard writes:
Lets just hope it all works long term, for short term I think we may be a comparison to Michigan of last year..That is losing more than we win, and that will bring questions..
GainesvilleVol1 writes:
Hopefully you have quit sneaking into better half's medicine supply. We need the Bones calibrated for the season. I'm no witch doctor, but I predict this team will have success this year, which in turn, will lead to a top recruiting class next year. I predict several players who have commited verbably to other teams will decommit, and come to Tennessee. Yes, I hope at least one is a QB. All in all, this team is not as weak as the so called professionals predict. A good start next week, a solid revenge victory sending the baby bears home crying the following week, who knows what could happen. Mullen is gone from UF, Monte is in the house, don't think he doesn't have a plan for the new UF OC. We just can't self destruct, and I don't think we will. The orange kool aid is flowing tonite, but if the Witch Doctor stays on his game, I'm ready to believe in his Bones.
GO VOLS!!!
give_him_6 writes:
Me likey what dem bones is sayin!!!!!!!
VolWalker writes:
Sam Bartholomew would be Ben and Will Bartholomew's grandaddy, also a former Vol.
dvols writes:
good news is one day they will be juniors and seniors and hopefully winning football games!
volfan7 writes:
go vols
KINGKONG writes:
we r rebuilding from championship stand point not to win games we proved that with phillip fulmer era he was 150-52 which is good we want to become a national power instead of espn clowning on us and disrepecting ut
CoverOrange writes:
Meaningless. Ole Phil got one last year and he was gone the next. How many years did Nicky have left on the contract when he vamooshed from Miami? LSU? Contracts are only good up until they are renegotiated.
oldsmokey67 writes:
you can have him.in 6 years he will be ready for the glue factory.GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
blitzshoot writes:
I believe there will be more anxious fansthan ever before next Saturday. If BB breaks a 20 yarder, the walls will vibrate. Will this be offered on PPV?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Maybe it's more that the coaches already saw what Q could do in the spring and wanted to give the freshmen a good long look since SOME of them will HAVE to play a lot.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Let's hope we get as far as Bama did before we choke! Most people would consider that a HUGE step up for us. Let the best players play, however young, and live with the inevitable mistakes for the best chance both to win now and for boosting recruiting AND experience for the future.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Let's hope no upperclassmen are being pushed aside JUST to get freshmen in there. I'm pretty sure CLK knows we expect a winning season THIS year, and so he won't play anyone who he doesn't think is the best guy for the job, regardless of class.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Don't think it'll happen unless we get a half-dozen starters at the thinnest positions out for the season with injuries. The schedule is too easy for that and I think the team will be better prepared and hungrier than they have been in the past.
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