Spring practice is underway for Tennessee football, allowing the newcomers to suit up for the first time.

After finishing the season 10-3 with a College Football Playoff berth, the Vols saw departures and arrivals over the offseason. As players left, Tennessee brought in 27 new players — including four transfers and 23 freshmen.

For the freshmen, it is their first go-around with spring practices. Some of them saw what was like in the winter when early enrollees participated in bowl practices prior to Tennessee traveling to Columbus, Ohio, for the opening round of the playoff. However, this time, they are fully a part of the roster.

Five-star offensive tackle David Sanders highlights Tennessee’s rookie class. Coming to Tennessee as the highest-rated prospect in the class, Sanders’ expectations were high. Being able to participate in the playoff practices allowed Sanders to get ahead of the curve before he arrived.

“I feel like coming in during bowl practices, just being able to see that you’re not far off from the top guys that they already have,” Sanders said. “I went against James Pearce the whole bowl practice, getting ready for that. So just seeing that I do have things to work on, but if I continue to work, I’m not far off from a guy that’s about to be a top-20 draft pick.”

Greater Nashville native quarterback George MacIntyre is another name that headlined the class. The Brentwood Academy quarterback chose the Vols over multiple other national suitors, despite knowing that Nico Iamaleava was ahead of him on the depth chart.

Despite that, MacIntyre is embracing the opportunity to learn head coach Josh Heupel’s playbook. He is working on the adjustment, but sitting behind a previously touted quarterback to learn is helpful.

“I’d say just the amount of plays,” MacIntyre said. “It definitely helped in high school being in a lot of different offenses, but just learning the signals, the plays, the protections and everything, it’s just a wider variety. So I’ve just got to stay locked in and keep working it in extra time.”

As MacIntyre adjusts to the new playbook, the receivers also have to adjust to the uncommon look that Heupel’s offense brings to the field. When Tennessee is on offense, it is often times that the wide receivers are spread across the field. That is where receiver Travis Smith Jr. is having to adjust.

“Having those wide splits,” Smith said. “You’re so used to being near the numbers. Just having to be outside the numbers, near the sideline. It’s been a bit of an adjustment for that.”

As the freshmen adjust to the physical adjustments of the game, it is also evident that the players must change their bodies to meet the demands of SEC competition.

Standing at 6-foot-6, 190 pounds, MacIntyre has embraced what it takes to become a competitor off the field. Playing at a light weight in high school is not abnormal, but in the SEC, it is not an ideal playing size. Since arriving on campus, the team support staff has worked with him and his diet — allowing the quarterback to move up nine pounds over the offseason, according to MacIntyre. It’s a common theme with many of the other recruits in the class.

For fellow Nashville native Ethan Utley, the biggest adjustment so far has also been related to the weight department. For the four-star defensive lineman, it has been the weight room schedule that the freshmen have been assigned that makes things a little more difficult for the rookies.

Coaches assign weightlifting schedules for the newcomers. Based on their class schedule, the majority end up in the early mornings. For Utley, he ended up in the 6:30 a.m. group — something they have embraced as the “Brick Squad.”

“I never had a problem waking up early,” Utley said. “But I would say having that adjustment, having to get your body going quickly early in the morning. I would say that was a challenge at first.”

Fellow defensive linemate Isaiah Campbell agreed.

“Once you get it — it’s a process, it’ll come — but you just gotta get up,” Campbell said. “That’s it. It takes time, that’s all it is.”

As guys adjust to collegiate practices on the field, the coaching staff also wants to ensure that the players are learning etiquette off the field as well. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner has been known for the love he shares with his players, but he does not mess around when it comes to treating every part of the day with respect.

Utley learned the hard way.

“I was slouching down in the chair one day on accident, just like I got too comfortable,” Utley said. “And that he kind of let me hear it.”

It’s a gesture that the freshman appreciates, allowing accountability to be held through the day. As for Campbell, he realized he was no longer a recruit a little more recently.

Following Monday’s second spring practice, Gardner made the defensive lineman pay up for his mistakes.

“That was that moment when Coach G was running me and had to run about like 15-20 sprints or something like that,” Campbell said. “But just having that progression over days, that’s going to help a lot, and that’s going to build a great mental fortitude, too.”

Through all of the adjustments, the players are also fighting to earn playing time during their freshman season. Last year, players like Boo Carter and Mike Matthews emerged in roles on the field during a playoff run. Now, it’s this class’s turn to carve out a role.

At the current point in time, however, the guys realize that spring practice is not the time to be fighting for positioning on the depth chart. It’s a time to be learning how to compete at the college level.

“I’m focused on understanding the offense and going out there and playing carefree because I feel like my best will get me moving up on the depth chart,” Sanders said. “But I’ve got to understand the offense and understand what I’m doing so I can play with confidence.”

Sanders recognizes that once he gains that confidence, it will be a game-changer for what he can do on the football field.

“If I’m playing with confidence, I’m one of the best five we’ve got.”

April 12 will signify the end of spring practices when the players split off into two teams for the annual intrasquad “Orange and White Game.”