KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football returned to the practice field Tuesday afternoon to open its third week of the preseason as head coach Jeremy Pruitt met with members of the media.
Pruitt discussed the freshmen talent developing at running back behind the one-two punch of Ty Chandler and Eric Gray.
“Tee Hodge and Jabari Small have been really steady for freshmen,” Pruitt said. “They have a lot to learn. Obviously, every freshman does. Whether it’s pass protection or holding onto the football or staying on their feet in practice. Both guys are really good competitors. They’re very smart, they have really good hands, they’re instinctive. Both of those guys, they’ll both play this year.”
Defensively, Pruitt stressed the importance of developing toughness along the defensive front under new position coach Jimmy Brumbaugh.
“The one guy that I feel like has had really good practices every single day is LaTrell Bumphus,” Pruitt said. “The guy continues to come to work every single day. He’s trying to be at his best. Matt Butler is another guy. We’ve got to get other guys to raise to their level of play at that position, and that’s a choice.”
The Vols will walk through and meet on Wednesday before going through another practice on Thursday.
Tennessee opens its 2020 season on Sept. 26 at South Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET live on SEC Network.
-UT Athletics
