KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — More than 150 members of local law enforcement teams took in practice at Haslam Field on Thursday afternoon as the Vols hosted Law Enforcement Day as part of their 11th of 15 scheduled spring practices.
Following practice, head coach Butch Jones presented a personalized jersey to officers from the Maryville Police Department as a salute to fallen officer Kenny Moats, who was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance on Alcoa Trail last summer.
Captain Sharon Moore of the MPD briefly addressed the team before accepting the jersey from linebacker Cortez McDowell.
Only four more practices remain in the Vols’ spring season, which concludes with the Orange & White Game on April 22 at Neyland Stadium (4 p.m. ET). The Orange & White Game will be televised on SEC Network for the second consecutive year with Clay Matvik and Clint Stoerner calling the action and Dr. Jerry Punch reporting from the sidelines.
Admission and parking are free to the public and a Fan Day event will precede kickoff.
Like all Tennessee athletic events, UT’s clear-bag policy will be enforced the Orange & White Game. For more information on the clear-bag and other safety policies, click here.
The Vols head to Neyland Stadium on Saturday for their final practice of the week.
Day 11 Quotables
Wide receivers coach Kevin Beard
(On if he told the players before spring that he would be out at practice in cleats)
“I did. They kind of saw it in the workouts before and it was almost funny because (they would say), ‘Yeah, you’ve got cleats on, but show me that route, Coach. Show me what you’re asking us to do,’ like they’re going to put me to the test. Being able to get out there and do it for them and demonstrate it, it gave me a little more credibility. It’s almost like, ‘If he did it, then I have to do it. I’m not going to let him show me up.’ That’s what it has been. It has been very competitive. They don’t want me to out-do them because I’m too old for that. It’s just been healthy, good competition.”
RS sophomore LB Austin Smith
(On if he prefers playing linebacker or defensive end)
“I don’t really prefer one over the other. I consider myself an athlete, but wherever the team needs me, I don’t really care. I’m just doing it for my team. I love my team a whole lot and I’ll always believe in family. We have this thing called FAMILY: Forget About Me, I Love You. So if the teams needs me to play safety, defensive tackle, I really don’t care. I’m just doing it for the team. Last year I sat out and I really just missed the team. I’d do anything for these boys and I love them a whole lot.”
Sophomore OL Marcus Tatum
(On why people say he is mature beyond his years)
“It’s been going pretty well. I am never satisfied, though. I can get a lot better in a lot of things, especially technique-wise. I feel comfortable in my weight, but my technique needs to get a lot better.”
Freshman DL Deandre Johnson
(On feeling more comfortable during Practice 11 as opposed to Practice One)
“I feel way more comfortable. Mentally, the game was really fast. I’ve been slowing it down in meetings, coming out here working, getting coached up and taking criticism when I mess up. That has been the biggest part so far, just trying to slow the game down mentally.”
-UT Athletics
