Freshman Boo Carter is in the mix for TennesseeNickelback’s starting position, and former Karns standout DeSean Bishop appears to be the favorite for the No. 2 running back spot.
Those were some of the takeaways from the Vols’ first preseason practice Friday night.
It was a close game under the lights of Neyland Stadium. But coach Josh Heupel recapped the highlights for the media afterward.
Here are five key takeaways.
DeSean Bishop continues to star from scrimmage
Starting running back Dylan Sampson did not play in the scrimmage, which made extra reps available for his potential backups.
When Heupel was asked who impressed him on offense, Bishop was the first player mentioned.
This is nothing new. The former two-time Mr. Football has been among the standout performers in scrimmages in each of the last two springs. But he sat out last season after suffering an injury in pre-season training.
Bishop is battling freshman Peyton Lewis and sophomore Khalifa Keith for the backup running back spot, or at least until sophomore Cam Seldon returns from offseason shoulder surgery.
“DeSean Bishop had a really good night,” Heupel said. “(He was) efficient, effective, ran a lot.”
Boo Carter advocates starting as a freshman
Jourdan Thomas was lost to a season-ending knee injury a week ago. It is designed to start in the Star position, what UT calls the nickel.
Sophomore Christian Harrison and junior Christian Charles are among the candidates for the position. And UT could reshape its secondary to move a safety or cornerback to Star. But Carter has a chance to claim the starting spot despite being a freshman.
“Boo played very well. I thought the last few days, even before the match, were his best days,” Heupel said. “(He) just stayed in the scope of what we do defensively, playing within that and making plays.
“He is a young man who needs and will continue to improve every day. He’s a dynamic playmaker.”
Coaches are learning to use iPads off the field
College football will utilize helmet radio devices and iPads on the sidelines for the first time this season.
The Vols underwent testing of both technologies during the fight.
The helmet radio is a one-way communication device. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava and middle linebacker Keenan Pili will be able to hear the coaches talking through a listening device on their helmets until there are 15 seconds left on the play clock.
Meanwhile, iPads are being introduced to college football after the NFL and high schools have been using them for years. Players and coaches will be able to watch game film on the sideline.
Heupel said players are more adept at using iPads, but coaches need practice during scrimmages.
“Yeah, I’m more worried about the coaches than the players, to be honest,” Heupel said. “It’s a better tool than someone having to draw something on a whiteboard (as) visual learners. It will be a good tool as long as you use it the right way as a coach.”
Ethan Davis is among the top targets in the passing game
Heupel said wide receivers Chris Brazzell, Squirrel White, Kaleb Webb and Chas Nimrod played well. One obvious omission is Bru McCoy, who continues to gradually recover from a serious ankle injury that ended his 2023 season.
Freshmen Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley did not play in the game due to minor injuries.
But the tight ends stood out in the passing game. Heupel said redshirt freshman Ethan Davis made some impressive catches up the middle.
Notre Dame transfer Holden Staes and Alabama transfer Miles Kitselman are also in the mix as it appears UT will utilize all three tight ends.
Unlike last season, there weren’t many flags thrown
Game officials often work UT practices during the week. But a full team also officiates scrimmages so the Vols can get a true game simulation.
It’s certainly necessary after UT was the most penalized team in the SEC last season, averaging 7.8 penalties for 67.9 yards per game.
Heupel said he was reasonably pleased with the low number of penalties given to the Vols, especially considering it was the first scrimmage of the preseason.
“It was very clean for the first game,” Heupel said. “Communications people (and) – there were no problems with any of this. There are some penalties we need to be smarter about. But that’s always the case at this point.”
Heupel had the referees talk to the team after the scrimmage to emphasize the penalties the players must clear before the season starts.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football reporter. E-mail adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee scrimmage takeaways: Boo Carter and DeSean Bishop emerging
