If Tennessee head coach Butch Jones had an MVP of spring practice award, he’d likely bestow it on senior running back Marlin Lane.
Jones told InsideTennessee he couldn’t be “more proud” of the progress Lane made both on and off the field in the weeks leading up to spring practice and throughout the allotted 15 work days.
“Marlin has really taken a hard look at himself and has really transformed as a player and as man,” Jones told IT. “He’s leading like a senior should. He is carrying himself like a champion and he is leading by example.”
Jones reeled off a long and winding list of reasons why he is so optimistic about Lane’s final season on Rocky Top. But atop the list of reasons, Jones has been particularly impressed with Lane’s newfound consistency and his emergence as a vocal leader.
“He comes out to practice everyday and gives us his all. I can’t say that about last year, just to be honest with you. He attacks drills now,” Jones said. “…. Leading doesn’t come easy to him. But he has really put himself out there and tried to be that vocal guy for us, which we need badly.”
Tennessee running backs coach Robert Gillespie is equally excited to see what the future has in store for Lane this fall, but is also eager to see how Lane’s leadership impacts the Vols’ young running backs.
“I was worried for a little, because I didn’t know who those young guys could look to as an example — both as a man and at practice,” Gillespie said. “Marlin is that guy.”
Tennessee freshman center Ray Raulerson had what sources described to IT as a “rude awakening” to life cracking helmets at the SEC level.
Raulerson took a while to get used to the physical demands of spring practice, constantly needing extra breathers and complaining of soreness. But Tennessee coaches aren’t about to write Raulerson off just yet. Not by any means.
“Some just take longer to get used to things,” offensive line coach Don Mahoney said. “Ray will get there.”
Raulerson pleased coaches by playing very physical throughout camp, but his biggest need for improvement is his conditioning level. If he needs an example of what a well-rounded SEC offensive lineman looks like, he needs to look no further than Tennessee’s current starting left guard.
According to nearly everyone around the Tennessee program, Marcus Jackson had what can only be described as an impressive spring. A host of Tennessee coaches praised Jackson for playing mistake-free football all spring while emerging as a leader and bringing a nice blend of athleticism and physicality to the still-growing offensive front.
Vols utility defenseman Curt Maggitt told IT that Jackson is the “toughest” offensive linemen to go against in one-on-one drills. Defensive tackle Danny O’Brien agreed.
“He just plays nasty,” Maggitt said. “He’s got one heck of a mean streak, man.”
It should be noted that freshman walk-on linebacker Colton Jumper was described by nearly all of Tennessee’s defensive coaches as a “pleasant surprise” this spring. While Jumper isn’t about to compete for a starting spot, IT was told he played an invaluable role to the Vols’ scout team looks.
You can never have too many weapons. And the Vols certainly appear to have their fair share on offense. But if wideout Jason Croom can be lumped into that group remains to be seen.
Croom, as impressive physically as any Vols player on roster at 6-feet-5, 235 pounds, struggled mightily with attacking the football and playing physically last season. Sources tell IT Croom made “strides” this fall, but still has a long way to go in order to reach his full potential.
The departure of running back Alden Hill certainly doesn’t derail Tennessee’s rushing plans for next season, but coaches were widely happy with Hill’s progress throughout spring.
“We’ll be counting on Alden to step in there,” Gillespie told IT. “He’s really grown as a man. We need him in there to change up the pace. He’s been running with a purpose for the first time since he’s been here.”