Josh Heupel provides timetable for Kamal Hadden's return to practice, evaluation of CB competition

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel had some good news regarding cornerback Kamal Hadden. The redshirt junior did not see the field in the spring while dealing with an injury that carried into the start of fall, but is finally on the mend.

After the Volunteers held their second scrimmage of fall camp this weekend, Heupel told reporters that he anticipates Hadden returning to practice next week. Although he has been unable to get any reps to this point, Hadden has kept himself in the starting conversation by maintaining his commitment to the team.

“Kamal I anticipate being able to get some reps here over the next four-day block,” Heupel said. “It’ll be good to see him back on the field for us. He’s handled himself in a really mature way while he’s been nicked up and hasn’t been able to be on the field. Been purposeful in the way he’s approached meetings, practice. Has essentially a plan of coaching guys up during the course of practice. I think his engagement has allowed him to continue to grow. Obviously, you want those real reps and anticipate being able to get those next block with him.”

Kamal Hadden joined the Volunteers for Josh Heupel’s inaugural season last year as a JUCO transfer out of Independence Community College (KS). He ended up playing in seven games with two starts, recording 17 tackles and two interceptions. Now he has his eyes on a bigger role for 2022, but faces plenty of competition.

Heupel went on to discuss what other players are standing out so far this fall, while also providing an assessment of where he feels the group is at as a whole.

“Overall, I think they’ve done a better job of the 50-50 balls down the field,” the coach said. “Being calm, not panicking and playing the football and the wide receiver. They’ve done a good job on our pressures and some of the things that we’ve done.

“…Warren Burrell has had a really steady, good camp. (De’Shawn) Rucker coming back healthy, I feel like he’s playing his best football right now as well. There’s a ton of competition right there at that position. Some young guys that have gotten here and guys that have been around this program, too. So I’m excited to see that play out.”

Tennessee ranked last in the SEC against the pass this past season, allowing an average of 273.2 air yards per game. With that in mind, the cornerback position battle could be one of the most important for the Volunteers to figure out before their season kicks off Sept. 1 against Ball State.