Preseason practice offers a glimpse at depth chart strengths and weaknesses. We’re left with some questions.
One player we’re not questioning: Nico Iamaleava. The buzz around Tennessee’s redshirt freshman quarterback is reminiscent of the hype surrounding Peyton Manning, Heath Shuler and Condredge Holloway. Iamaleava is worthy of that hype.
Some other positions are on squishier footing.
On this edition of “The Volunteer State,” Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel’s Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss three burning questions that remain unanswered as preseason practice winds down and the Week 1 game against Chattanooga nears.
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Is Tennessee football’s Cam Seldon healthy and ready?
Tennessee’s running back depth remains an area of concern. Dylan Sampson is dependable atop the depth chart, but the situation gets murkier after that. The Vols will be better position after Cam Seldon returns from a shoulder injury.
When will that be?
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Seldon wore a non-contact jersey during practice periods that were open to reporters in the preseason, but coach Josh Heupel recently said that Seldon is “full go.”
Whether “full go” means Seldon will play against Chattanooga is unclear. More important will be having him healthy against NC State in Week 2. A shoulder injury is no small deal for a running back.
Will Bru McCoy return to form?
McCoy suffered a serious ankle injury last season that cut his season short after five games. Watching him in practice this month, you wouldn’t know he was ever injured. He’s returned to form and will be part of the first-tier wide receiver rotation that includes Squirrel White and transfer Chris Brazzell II.
As to who will lead Tennessee in receptions, that’s another question. White is the smart choice. The ball comes to the slot receiver a lot in Heupel’s offense. White led the offense in receptions last season, and he’ll probably do it again. But a healthy McCoy makes the offense much more dynamic.
Will Boo Carter start the opener? And will Vols really start walk-on safety Will Brooks?
Let’s take Carter first: The four-star true freshman is talented enough to start as Tennessee’s nickelback, but defensive coordinator Tim Banks usually favors older players. Against Chattanooga, Carter must prove he’s ready for a big role.
Walk-ons tend to generate preseason buzz before falling behind scholarship players once the season arrives. Brooks isn’t fading, though. Expect him to earn snaps at safety.
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Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s SEC Columnist and a published author. John Adams is the News Sentinel’s senior columnist and a two-time published author. Adam Sparks covers the Vols with award-winning coverage for the News Sentinel. You can subscribe to read all their coverage, or check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football: 3 burning questions as Vols’ preseason winds down
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Publish date : 2024-08-22 19:04:00
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