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Tennessee held their first closed scrimmage under the lights at Neyland Stadium on Saturday night. Without media in attendance, information has been scarce on the results. Slowly but surely though, word has leaked out.
From two different sources, John Brice and Austin Price, Ty Chandler, Josh Palmer and Dominick Wood-Anderson were singled out as players that shined on Saturday night. Brice noted that five-star 2019 offensive lineman Wanya Morris got some work with the first team offensive line at tackle, while Jerome Carvin got work at center. Carvin could prove to be an important piece in 2019, potentially starting at guard and operating as Brandon Kennedy’s backup at center.
Am told stars from @Vol_Football scrimmage under the lights were @wanyamorris64 @Channdler_35, Palmer and Dominick Wood-Anderson might have had the best overall day. @TaeTaylor6 is an absolute star. Kirkland did not scrimmage #Vols
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) March 31, 2019
Brice also notes that Jarrett Guarantano and redshirt freshman quarterback JT Shrout got the majority of the work at quarterback. This shouldn’t be all that surprising, considering offensive coordinator Jim Chaney’s comments from Friday about freshman quarterback Brian Maurer simply learning how to take snaps from under center.
Chandler & Palmer had TDs; Morris got some first-team work at OT & Carvin got some work at center. JG & Shrout got majority of meaningful QB work https://t.co/20DIBPJ9g9
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) March 31, 2019
Meanwhile, Austin Price notes that Jarrett Guarantano was “solid.” He also echoes Brice’s comments on Palmer, Chandler and Wood-Anderson.
.@AustinPriceless: "Jarrett Guarantano was solid from what I have been told about the scrimmage. Josh Palmer and Dominick Wood-Anderson both turned some heads. Ty Chandler did what Ty Chandler does, catching the ball and running. A few bright spots on defense as well."
— The Midday 180 (@Midday180) April 1, 2019
The most interesting part of these notes is the potential progress of Josh Palmer and Dominick Wood-Anderson. It’s also good to hear about Ty Chandler making plays in space in the passing game. That’s something Tyson Helton could have done more of in 2018.
Hearing Dominick Wood-Anderson mentioned as a guy that’s “turning heads” is encouraging too. Coming in as the No. 1 ranked JUCO tight end in 2018, Wood-Anderson didn’t have much of an impact on the Tennessee offense. In fact, he caught just 17 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns last season. Part of that could have been the offensive system, part of that could have been Wood-Anderson simply getting adjusted and acclimated. Whatever it was, he should have plenty of opportunities with Jauan Jennings, Marquez Callaway and Josh Palmer attracting a lot of attention on the outside.
Again, these are simply second hand reports, but it’s April and we are starving for football news. In just 12 short days (April 13th), we’ll have our first live look at this roster during the Orange and White Game.