Vols 'excited' to have Sapp back, Ignont turning heads at MLB
While Tennessee opened preseason practice without its top two middle linebackers, one of the Vols’ most tantalizing defensive playmakers returned to the practice field running around full-go Saturday.
Outside linebacker Quart’e Sapp has missed much of the last two seasons with significant injuries, but the 6-foot-2, 222-pound redshirt sophomore is fully-cleared from last season’s ACL injury and is primed to compete for a starting spot at the weakside-linebacker position.
"It’s exciting to me," defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said.
"He’s built his body up. He’s fast. He’s hungry. He’s eager. As good a player Quart’e Sapp is, he’s an even better person. We all just want to see him have success. In the first two days, I haven't seen any hesitation or tentativeness. He's picked up right where he left off last year this time.
"Everybody recognizes that we lost Kirkland and Maybin last year, but people fail to realize sometimes, that we lost Sapp and Austin Smith when SEC play rolled around."
Sapp, who has just four career tackles, has drawn comparisons to former Tennessee linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, as he possesses a similar combo skill-set in terms of an ability to rush the passer and cover tight ends and tailbacks.
The difficultly in fulfilling that potential has been staying healthy.
Sapp broke his foot in 2015, missing the final eight games of his freshman season. Then last fall, he tore his ACL in Week 2 against Ohio on special teams. It’s been a frustrating couple of years for the Atlanta native, but senior outside linebacker Cortez McDowell said Sapp has done his best to remain positive and should help the defense a lot this fall.
“It’s a great thing (he’s back),” McDowell said.
“When we went down, it was tough on us, tough on him because we know how much he loves football. We know how much we love having him in the room with us and out on the field competing and helping us get better.”
While McDowell and Sapp are competing against each other for the starting WILL spot, the senior welcomes the battle, saying, “At the end of the day, our room is so big and so competitive, we need better competition and better drive from everybody. (Sapp) brings a lot to the (table), with speed, physicality, instincts, just all of that. It’s a good asset to have in our room, getting him back.”
QUESTION & ANSWER
Now a senior, McDowell said he’s dropped about 10 pounds since last season, feeling much better physically under guidance of new strength and conditioning coordinator Rock Gullickson. The 17-year NFL vet has become a cult hero with the Vols this offseason, as every player has delivered rave reviews about Gullickson’s impact.
McDowell was asked specifically when he noticed a change in the S&C program and he said, bluntly, “Day 1.”
“(Gullickson) brought the energy for us — something that we were missing. He’s been in the NFL a long time. When he came in, he brought the energy he had with those guys to us. Everybody has gravitated to him. Not just to him, but his whole staff.
" We’ve had the other others on his staff for a few years, but with coach Rock, he brings a different element and dynamic for us to push and keep going.”
IGNONT SHOWCASING
What would fall camp be without early reports of newcomers impressing before the first day in pads even rolls around?
Two days into preseason practice, several freshman have turned defensive coordinator Bob Shoop’s head.
On Sunday, Shoop doled out some praise for new arrival Will Ignont, and what he’s gotten done at middle linebacker.
With both Darrin Kirkland Jr. and Daniel Bituli out for the start of camp due to injury, Ignont is getting a ton of work in the middle and taking advantage of it.
“The guy who really flashed the first two days is Will Ignont to tell you the truth. He got his hands on a pass today, recovered a fumble yesterday. Those were good things. We’re giving all the young players reps but Will is taking advantage,” Shoop said.
Shoop added that he feels like Ignont has found a home at the MIKE position and isn’t likely to see much action at either of the outside spots barring an emergency situation.
“He's more of a MIKE linebacker. His skill-set lends itself being really good tackle-to-tackle and in the box,” Shoop shared.
“He’s also got a pretty good football IQ. You don’t need to say things to him three or four times. He seems to grasp things pretty quickly."
MORE WORK SPACE
When Tennessee opened training camp Saturday, Team 121 was the beneficiary of an extra practice field. Work continues on the Haslam Field facility, but the Vols were able to utilize a second 120-yard outdoor field that was finished this spring, as the defense took up most of the space in the first preseason practice.
Construction continues on the third practice field, but Jones said it was good to have a second full outdoor field and that it’s critical for the Vols to add a third this spring.
“We need that third field,” Jones said.
“When we get the other field, it’s going to be critical for us because now you go side-by-side. Most practice fields, that’s the setup. To be able to have our defense have a full 120 yards, that will be invaluable.”