Vol fans finally get a first glimpse at the Tennessee connection they’ve dreamed about seeing for the last year
Two of Tennessee’s biggest recruits are finally working out together in orange and white.
Quarterback Faizon Brandon dropping back inside Neyland Stadium and letting one rip deep to Tristen Keys, who pulls it down in the checkerboard. That’s been a dream for a number of Vol fans since the days that Josh Heupel was seriously recruiting both players.
Well, it might not be Neyland Stadium, and it might be a simple route inside the indoor practice facility in March, but the two December Tennessee signees are indeed connecting on passes in spring practice as the two begin their football careers for the Big Orange.
Faizon Brandon and Tristen Keys connection gets its first look in Tennessee’s spring practice
As to how quickly that connection will develop remains to be seen. Brandon is in the beginning stages of his battle with George MacIntyre for the starting quarterback job.
Josh Heupel made it clear during his press conference on Monday that this QB battle won’t be decided in the spring regardless of how either player looks. It’ll go into fall camp before Heupel and his staff make a decision. But Brandon certainly doesn’t have the build of an incoming true freshman, as was evident in his comparison with MacIntyre in practice.
Tennessee is well established at their top two wide receiver spots, with Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley both topping 700 receiving yards last season for Tennessee. But Keys’ upside is unmistakable, and if he can hit the ground running, he could find himself on the field early as the team’s WR3 next season.
We’ll find out soon enough how quickly the Vols’ two star signees can make a name for themselves, both individually and together, with the Vols’ spring practice concluding with the Orange and White Game on Saturday, April 11.
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