KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s first-team defense set the tone in the Volunteers’ second scrimmage to kick off the final week of spring football Monday morning in Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee opened the morning with special teams action and worked close to 80 plays from scrimmage, culminating with a four-minute drill.

“Just defensively, started fast today,” said head coach Josh Heupel. “I thought they played extremely well early in the scrimmage. Offensively, there’s some execution that we have to clean up. That’s guys that are skill players out on the perimeter. It was some of our protection stuff too. All in all, there are some things that we have to do at a better level today.”

Dynamic sophomore Boo Carter continues to see action in all three phases – as a special teams returner, as the starter at STAR on defense and as a wide receiver.

“We’re intentional in what positions we are putting him in during the course of practice and today during the scrimmage, and trying to manage that side of it,” Heupel said. “He has worked hard. You can look at him as a punt returner, to see his skill set when he has the ball in his hands that he has the chance to be a dynamic playmaker.”

The Vols return to the field Wednesday for their final padded practice before going through a “fast” Friday workout.

Saturday’s Orange & White Game presented by Cherokee Resorts & Entertainment is set for a 2 p.m. start in Neyland Stadium. Tickets are on sale now at AllVols.com.

“I think it is really important for the young guys,” Heupel said. “They get a chance to go out and perform in front of people. It’s a part of the growth for them as we get ready for kickoff next fall. It should be a beautiful day, and I look forward to seeing our fans.”

Tennessee Football Media Availability | April 7, 2025
Head Coach Josh Heupel

Opening statement…
“Good work this morning. Got some situational football in as well, and there are some things to clean up from that. The defense, ‘one’ defense in particular I thought had a really good day, started really fast. Offensively we have some things that we have to clean up – just on execution and communication – but a lot of good work.”

On the improvement of pre-snap operation during the second scrimmage…
“Both sides of the ball had a few more penalties than we had in scrimmage one. We have to play smart, play cleaner, and that was true offensively but on the defensive side of the ball as well. We have to continue to grow in the way that we play.”

On the challenge of scrimmaging and maximizing opportunities…
“The game hasn’t changed. You have to be physical, you have to play with alignment and technique and you have to play assignment sound. We’ve tried to balance that throughout the course of spring but at some point, you have to get the work that you need to grow as a team too. On days like today, we’ve placed an emphasis on that.”

On the development of Peyton Lewis…
“Peyton has had a great spring. He has a lot more comfort and understanding in the scope of what we’re doing, and it should be that way in year two. He grew throughout the course of last year too, but he’s done a really, really good job. That’s with the ball in his hands, but that’s also playing without the ball. All those running backs have done a good job of growing throughout the (spring), but have really grown fundamentally in playing without the football. They’ve all continued to take strides in understanding what we’re doing, in particular the young guys. A lot of good competition in that room.”

On execution of the defense early in the scrimmage…
“Just defensively, started fast today. I thought they played extremely well early in the scrimmage. Offensively, there’s some execution that we have to clean up. That’s guys that are skill players out on the perimeter. It was some of our protection stuff too. All in all, there are some things that we have to do at a better level today.”

On younger players understanding the urgency of roster placement and how it has affected their approach…
“They get the urgency of the competition. We grade those guys every day. They certainly understand that you don’t just put the Tennessee helmet on and positive things happen for you on gameday. This is a game where you have to go make it happen. All of those guys are in the growth (stage), talking about the young guys in particular. There is not an end destination, it’s a journey to continue to grow to be the player you need, and then to operate as 11 guys operating as one. Offense, defense, and on special teams too. We are a long way from kickoff. We have a chance to be a good team, but we have to continue to grow.”

On Boo Carter handling the duties of a two-way player…
“When you do that, there is a whole other work load that you have to take on. You have to understand what is going on, on both sides of the football, and he has done a really good job. He has spent a lot of extra time in here, learning what we’re doing offensively and being able to handle the structure of the offense. We’re intentional in what positions we are putting him in during the course of practice and today during the scrimmage, and trying to manage that side of it. He has worked hard. You can look at him as a punt returner, to see his skill set when he has the ball in his hands that he has the chance to be a dynamic playmaker.”

On his evaluation of the quarterbacks in the scrimmage with deep-ball accuracy…
“A couple plays down the field that I really liked. We got into some four-minute situation, and there are some things we can clean up in the operation of that. That’s the first time they’ve had that this spring. All in all, there is some real positive, but there are things that we have to clean up, and that’s all the guys that are in the room.”

On the offensive line’s performance and progress…
“I like where the group is going. There is competition. They understand that, day-in and day-out with what is going on out on the practice field and how they are getting graded. Today, I thought there were times where we executed well in the run game. I don’t think it was a complete day where we executed to the level that we’re capable of as an entire unit for the entire day.”

On the young receivers building on the first scrimmage and their performance today…
“Those guys have been really consistent as far as what we are getting out of them on the practice field and in the meeting room. You see them continuing to take strides. I thought they both performed well today, talking about the two new young guys in that room (Travis Smith Jr. and Radarious Jackson).”

On the defensive backs’ progression between spring scrimmages…
“For me – after watching it, I’ll have a better understanding of their overall performance throughout the course of the day. Fundamentally and within the scope of their technique and scheme, they have continued to take strides. You can see that in our 11-on-11, but you can see it in some of our group work where we are working those fundamentals and technique as well. It’s a talented group, it’s long, it’s athletic. They just have to continue to grow as a player before we get to the fall.”

On Mike Matthews, Chris Brazzell II and Braylon Staley’s performance in the scrimmage…
“Braylon (Staley) wasn’t going today, but I thought the other two guys did a good job in the scope of what we are doing offensively. They have been consistent in making plays day-in and day-out on the practice field. For them, it’s just constant growth within the scope of what we are doing: the fundamentals and technique. learning how to attack defenders, reading zone and man and ultimately getting on the same page with the quarterback.”

On concerns for depth at wide receiver…
“Ultimately, it is always about the guys in the room. A year ago, we had some guys that departed through the transfer portal. It’s hard to keep everybody happy at that position. I love the group that we have. As a staff, you always evaluate where you are on the back end of spring ball, and we will certainly do that. I really like the guys we have there. How they work, how they compete, how they are trying to grow, that’s on the practice field and outside of it. I like what they have done through the course of spring ball too.”

On his approach to the Saturday’s Orange and White Game…
“For us, it is the third opportunity to play football in a gameday-like situation. I think it is really important for the young guys. They get a chance to go out and perform in front of people. It’s a part of the growth for them as we get ready for kickoff next fall. I am looking forward to seeing a huge crowd. I’m not sure what we are limited to because of construction, but I expect that thing to be packed out. It should be a beautiful day, and I look forward to seeing our fans.”

On if the spring game will be a similar format like recent years…
“Yes, relatively. There may be a few subtle tweaks to it, but yes.”