Freshman Boo Carter is in the mix for Tennessee's starting nickelback position, and former Karns star DeSean Bishop appears to be the early frontrunner for the No. 2 running back spot.

Those were among the takeaways from the Vols’ first scrimmage of preseason practice on Friday night.

It was a closed scrimmage under the lights at Neyland Stadium. But coach Josh Heupel recapped the high points to the media afterward.

Here are five key takeaways.

DeSean Bishop remains scrimmage star

Starting running back Dylan Sampson did not play in the scrimmage, which made extra reps available for his possible backups.

When Heupel was asked who impressed him on offense, Bishop was the first player he mentioned.

That’s nothing new. The former two-time Mr. Football was among the standouts in scrimmages each of the past two springs. But he sat out last season after suffering an injury in preseason practice.

Bishop is battling freshman Peyton Lewis and sophomore Khalifa Keith for the backup running back spot, or at least until sophomore Cam Seldon returns from offseason shoulder surgery.

“DeSean Bishop had a really nice night,” Heupel said. “(He was) efficient, effective, ran hard.”

Boo Carter makes case to start as freshman

Jourdan Thomas was lost to a season-ending knee injury a week ago. He was projected to start at Star position, what UT calls its nickelback.

Sophomore Christian Harrison and junior Christian Charles are among the contenders for the job. And UT could reshuffle its secondary to move a safety or cornerback to Star. But Carter has a chance to claim the starting spot despite being a freshman.

“Boo has played really well. I thought the last couple of days, even leading into the scrimmage, had been his best days,” Heupel said. “(He has) just been in the scope of what we do defensively, playing in the framework of that and making plays.

“He’s a young guy who needs and will continue to get better every day. He’s a dynamic playmaker."

Coaches are learning to use iPads on sideline

College football will utilize helmet radio devices and iPads on the sidelines for the first time this season.

The Vols went through trials runs of both technologies during the scrimmage.

The helmet radio is a one-way communication device. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava and middle linebacker Keenan Pili will be able to hear coaches talk through a listening device in their helmet until there’s 15 seconds remaining on the play clock.

Meanwhile, iPads are being introduced to college football after the NFL and high schools have used them for years. Players and coaches will be able to review game film on the sideline.

Heupel said players are more adept at using iPads, but coaches needed practice during the scrimmage.

“Yeah, I’m more concerned about the coaches than I am the players, to be honest,” Heupel said. “It’s a better tool than somebody having to draw something up on the whiteboard (as) visual learners. It’ll be a good tool as long as you use it the right way as a coach.”

Ethan Davis is among top targets in passing game

Heupel said wide receivers Chris Brazzell, Squirrel White, Kaleb Webb and Chas Nimrod played well. An obvious omission is Bru McCoy, who continues to work back gradually from a severe ankle injury that ended his 2023 season.

Freshmen Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley did not play in the scrimmage due to minor injuries.

But the tight ends were highlighted in the passing game. Heupel said redshirt freshman Ethan Davis made some impressive catches over the middle.

Notre Dame transfer Holden Staes and Alabama transfer Miles Kitselman are also in the mix, as it appears UT will utilize all three tight ends.

Unlike last season, there weren’t many flags thrown

Game officials often work at UT practices throughout the week. But a full crew also officiates scrimmages so the Vols can get a true game simulation.

It’s certainly needed after UT was the most penalized team in the SEC last season, averaging 7.8 penalties for 67.9 yards per game.

Heupel said he was reasonably pleased with by the low number of penalties called on the Vols, especially considering it was the first scrimmage of preseason.

“It was pretty clean for scrimmage one,” Heupel said. “Communication (and) personnel – there weren’t any issues with any of that. There’s some playing penalties that we’ve got to get smarter at. But that’s always the case at this point.”

Heupel had officials talk to the team after the scrimmage to emphasize penalties that players must clean up before the season starts.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee scrimmage takeaways: Boo Carter, DeSean Bishop surging