Josh Dobbs leans on Peyton Manning to prepare for the NFL Draft

I don’t know whether we’ve ever had anyone smarter on the roster than VFL former quarterback Josh Dobbs. I’m betting that one the things that makes him so smart, though, is that he knows when to listen to the master. And Dobbs has relied on none other than another VFL former quarterback in the ever-awesome Peyton Manning to help get ready for the NFL Draft. Dobbs told this to Pro Football Talk Live:

“The best advice, easily, I’ve ever gotten from Peyton Manning is the importance of preparation,” Dobbs said. “He just talks about his preparation each and every week, his pre-snap process, his communication at the quarterback position and how important those three areas were. And then to go on the field with him and see the importance of each and every rep. Every rep is important and he’s trying to maximize that rep and make it a game rep. So to see how important your preparation is and seeing how important each rep is that’s definitely made me a better quarterback in my college career and that’s something I’ve learned and will take to the next level.”

The best learn from the best.

Derek Barnett and Butch Jones to attend the first round of the NFL Draft

Derek Barnett and Butch Jones will both be in attendance at the first round of the NFL Draft on April 27. In all, 22 top prospects and 13 coaches will be in attendance.

ESPN has projected Barnett as high as the eighth pick overall in this year’s draft, and having his college coach beside him will definitely be a very good thing for the Tennessee program.

Defensive end Deandre Johnson earns removal of his helmet stripe

Freshman defensive end Deandre Johnson, one of five early enrollees for the Vols, was rewarded with the removal of his black helmet stripe after last Saturday’s scrimmage. Johnson stepped up after Jonathan Kongbo was hurt, and Kendal Vickers and Darrell Taylor took it upon themselves to remove Johnson’s “rookie” stripe. Johnson is a 6-3, 235 defensive end from Miami, Florida and a 3-star recruit in this year’s class, according to 247.

Highly-touted offensive tackle Trey Smith also had his stripe removed last Saturday.

3-star Shatar McClay commits to Tennessee

The Vols picked up a commitment from 6-0, 165 3-star cornerback Shatar McClay yesterday. Coaches Walt Wells and Charlton Warren were the lead recruiters for McClay, and he chose Tennessee over offers from Texas A&M, Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Memphis, Indiana, and Samford.

McClay is the fourth commitment of Tennessee’s 2018 class, and he joins 5-star offensive tackle Cade Mays, 4-star athlete Alontae Tayler, and 3-star offensive guard Ollie Lane. It’s early, but Tennessee now ranks 28th in 247’s team recruiting rankings.

Tennessee first offered McClay over a year ago, and he told 247 that he’d wanted to commit for the Vols since receiving the offer, but he decided to wait until his 18th birthday to make his announcement. His Twitter handle is @mcclay_shatar. 

Although he does look like a fumble waiting to happen, he looks like an electric athlete.