Gameday on Rocky Top

Today Butch Jones will meet the press and tomorrow the Vols open fall camp. On Tuesday, August arrives. We’re in the last stages of the off-season, but the shadows of last year are stubborn.

This week John Adams polled a number of local media on how many games Jones needs to win this fall to be absolutely certain of another year in Knoxville. The consensus seemed to be that, if you’re looking for absolute certainty, Jones needed to go 9-3.

That might be true. But it shouldn’t be.

I’m sure you already know that 9-3 would be Tennessee’s best regular season since 2007. But I’m not sure we as fans know it well enough to not equate what would be the best season in Knoxville in ten years with the bar of safety for the head coach.

The “how many wins for safety” question is a valid one after last year’s disappointing end. But if our answer causes us to look at a 9-3 season as something less than progress in 2017, we should reconsider.

To be clear:  including the bowl game, any path to 10 wins for this team is, by definition, progress. If the Vols go 9-3 and win any bowl. If the Vols go 10-2 and lose any bowl. Or if the Vols go 10-2, lose in Atlanta, then lose any bowl. Any of those results should be celebrated more than tolerated.

If after the bowl the Vols finish at 9-4 again (remember, a 9-3 regular season would have been good enough for the Sugar Bowl last year), there will be some who will point to three straight years of the same result and wonder if it will ever get any better. And, as pointed out in Adams’ story, a year like that always makes one ask, “How did they get there?” Not all 9-4’s are created equal.

But not all Tennessee teams are created equal either. A 9-3 regular season would have been, by definition, progress for last year’s team too. But when you start the year in the Top 10, 9-3 isn’t your goal. But this year’s team won’t be starting in the Top 10 and won’t be on some Top 25 ballots. There is plenty of talent on the roster. But much of it will have to prove itself.

What will Vegas say about this year’s team? The 2015 Vols went 9-4, losing twice as a narrow favorite (Florida at -1, Arkansas at -5.5) and beating Georgia as a +2.5 underdog. The 2016 Vols went 9-4 but, as you know, lost as a touchdown favorite at Vanderbilt and a two touchdown favorite at South Carolina.

It’s early, but 2017 odds from Golden Nugget have the Vols as a touchdown-plus underdog against Florida, Alabama, and LSU and a one-point favorite against Georgia. It’s entirely possible the Vols could be underdogs in all four of those games.

All of this to say:  2017’s 8-4 could easily and quantifiably be more impressive than 2016’s and/or 2015’s (depending on margin of defeat). But if the Vols do go 8-4, there will be some who want Jones gone mostly because they’re still upset about last year’s 8-4.

And rightfully upset about last year’s 8-4. But if that’s how you’d feel about this year’s 8-4, you’re probably not going to feel a whole lot better about 9-3.

At Tennessee, 9-3 will never be enough in the long run. It wouldn’t have been enough for some of us last year, and maybe that’s fair with six NFL draft picks and a 5-0 start. But in this year, on the heels of so many consecutive years of less? 9-3 should qualify as enough:  to not just keep the coach safe, but – especially if it’s followed up with a bowl victory – to call it a step in the right direction and tip our caps.

College football is fun. It comes for 13 weeks, then a bowl, then it disappears for eight months. I continue to be of the belief that you don’t want to miss any opportunity to enjoy it.

In the month to come, most will pick this team to finish somewhere between 7-5 and 9-3. I’d bet the majority will land on the ol’ 8-4. There will be plenty of words to follow – in August – about if that result would be enough to save Butch.

My thought? If such a conversation is actually, realistically necessary at the end of this year, it will be painfully obvious. But this team and its coaches will have every opportunity to do something far better than just avoiding that pain.

It’s getting close to football time in Tennessee. Don’t forget to enjoy it.

With the start of fall camp right around the corner, it’s time to look at some picks to prosper at each position.

Over the next few days leading up to the beginning of practice, we’ll examine each position and spotlight a player who the Vols desperately need to perform well as well as one who could elevate the team if he lives up to expectations.

Think of these as the old Chicago White Sox WGN announcers’ “picks to click.”

A year ago, Tennessee had perhaps the weakest linebacking corps in the SEC East. With Jalen Reeves-Maybin missing the season and Darrin Kirkland Jr. either injured or playing at less than 70 percent for much of the season, the Vols struggled to put SEC-caliber athletes on the field at the second level of their defense.

Not many people believe that unit has improved much this season, with JRM’s departure to the NFL. But it’s up to defensive coordinator Bob Shoop and linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen to change that in 2017. If they don’t find some quality players in a full stable of ‘backers (especially considering UT only plays two on the field at once most of the time) one or both of them may be looking for a new job next year.

MUST

DARRIN KIRKLAND JR., Junior

An overlooked turning point of last year for the Vols came late in the Battle at Bristol win over Virginia Tech when Darrin Kirkland Jr. was lost for a portion of the season with a nasty high ankle sprain.

Kirkland — nor Tennessee’s defense — were ever the same after that. Kirkland missed five games and couldn’t regain full strength. But, in actuality, he was struggling early in the season with his run fits and calling the defense prior to his injury. As smart as the Indianapolis native is, Shoop’s defense didn’t come naturally. He wound up with just 45 tackles and five tackles for a loss in what essentially was a wasted season.

In 2017, the Vols need for Kirkland to return to his freshman form where, at times, he was the best linebacker on the field, even with JRM beside him. Yes, he was that good. At 6’1″, 238 pounds and blessed with sideline-to-sideline speed, Kirkland is one of the league’s sleepers this year. He never was truly fit a season ago, and now the Vols believe they’re getting a guy back who could wind up being one of the best second-level defenders on the field. That’s what Shoop is banking on. The junior seems tailor-made to play the aggressive defense, and a year into the system, he should be a transformed product.

As Gridiron Now’s Jason Hall wrote recently, Kirkland admittedly struggled with health last season and this spring, but he’s geared-up now.

“I really just want to develop myself every day and to really grow to be a leader and become an All-SEC player – that is my goal,” Kirkland said during spring practice. “My dream is to be one of the best linebackers in this conference, so I have to prepare for it every day.”

With Shoop charged to put all the speedy Vols in position to make plays, it’s essential that UT has a run-stopping second-level defender. That tackle-gobbler must be Kirkland, and he must be a starter who is consistent. Yes, Colton Jumper and Cortez McDowell can provide plenty of assistance, and sophomore Daniel Bituli has the potential to help a lot, too, but Kirkland is a proven commodity, even if he’d love to have his 2016 season back.

He’s big, fast, aggressive and has a photographic memory that should allow him to know the defense and help others get it quickly. But he has to get everybody lined up and keep his own fits, or the Vols will get gashed too often. That’s what happened in ’16, and that has to be a thing of the past.

He said in that Hall article that he feels like a veteran now, “the Last of the Mohicans,” he called it. The Vols need him to be a warrior and a defensive leader in the middle. If not, it’s going to be another long season for UT’s defense.

MIGHT

QUART’E SAPP, Redshirt Sophomore

Everybody has his favorite players, and, for me, Quart’e Sapp has fallen into that category ever since UT held a spot in a crowded recruiting class to sign him in the 2015 haul. They knew what kind of player he could be, and the blazing-fast, edge-rushing defender was a special-teams monster as a true freshman.

He looked like the next in line of the JRM/Cortez McDowell lineage of linebackers who cut their teeth chasing down kick and punt returners early on before those dues paid off on defense.

Then, just when he was readying himself for a more extended role on defense last year, a knee injury cost him the remaining 11 games of the year. That’s the second season in a row that his year was cut short with knee injuries. That begs the question: Is he still the speed demon he was when he came into Knoxville?

Let’s all hope so.

Though McDowell is the odds-on favorite to win the weak-side linebacker spot, the Vols need quality depth at all positions on the second level, and Sapp is good enough to push McDowell to start and at least be a situational linebacker who can get after the quarterback in pass-rushing situations. He could be an X-factor if he hasn’t lost that foot speed, and the Vols need that badly. It’s a cornerstone of Shoop’s defenses to have guys who can put pressure on the quarterback, and with Sapp and JRM out last year, the Vols didn’t have anybody who could from the second level.

On the exterior, Tennessee will have more options this year. The Vols love freshmen Solon Page III and Shanon Reid, though it’s unclear whether either of them will help in anything other than special teams this year. Jumper is a versatile defender who can play either spot, too. Then there’s Austin Smith who looks more like a strong-side ‘backer/speedy defensive end hybrid. But Sapp was brought in to be that gazelle who is all over the place all the time, much the way JRM was before the injuries and how guys like Kevin Burnett and Rico McCoy played back in the day.

Can he be that kind of player, or am I just having visions of those Chavis safety-turned-linebackers dancing in my head in a blitz-happy defense? I guess we’ll see. We all have thoughts about what Shoop’s aggressive defenses can look like when he’s coaching at his best and his cupboard is full. My vision of that defense includes Sapp surging from all over the field and getting after quarterbacks.

• For a look at UT’s quarterbacks “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s running backs “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s wide receivers/tight ends “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s offensive line “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s defensive ends “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s defensive tackles “must” list, click here.

With the start of fall camp right around the corner, it’s time to look at some picks to prosper at each position.

Over the next few days leading up to the beginning of practice, we’ll examine each position and spotlight a player who the Vols desperately need to perform well as well as one who could elevate the team if he lives up to expectations.

Think of these as the old Chicago White Sox WGN announcers’ “picks to click.”

The Vols have an opportunity to be really good on the defensive interior in 2017, but they definitely need a lot of breaks. Nobody is expecting them to be that salty inside after an injury-riddled last season, but UT could sneak up on a lot of teams with all the talent it has. All that potential must produce, though, or none of that means anything. You’re going to see the word “if” a lot in this article and in preseason discussions about the Vols. If Kahlil McKenzie lives up to expectations… If Shy Tuttle can get and stay healthy… If Alexis Johnson and Quay Picou can provide quality depth… If Kendal Vickers can provide leadership and some interior explosion in his redshirt year…

Those “ifs” haven’t been great to the Vols in recent years, but with a new defensive line coach in Brady Hoke and a defensive coordinator in Bob Shoop that must be feeling the heat after a pitiful first year on Rocky Top, they must turn into “whens” for the Vols to reach expectations. Let’s take a look at Tennessee’s defensive tackle situation.

MUST

KAHLIL MCKENZIE, Junior

There hasn’t been a more hyped Tennessee recruit since Eric Berry. As a matter of fact, I was on the record a couple of years ago saying McKenzie, a UT legacy with an NFL body and a 5-star pedigree was a can’t-miss prospect who’d contribute right away.

Well, the clock is ticking.

Yes, McKenzie did contribute right away, but dominance has been far off. Now, after coming into UT at more than 360 pounds, he’s hit the weight room under new strength and conditioning coach Rock Gullickson, and he’s geared up to play the 2017 season at 320 pounds. That should help him with the rigors of being an every-down defensive tackle.

But how quickly will McKenzie adapt to his new body? Has he lost any of the strength that enabled him to bully some of the best high school players in the country? All of that remains to be seen.

The bottom line is McKenzie — the son of former UT defender Reggie and the nephew of All-SEC offensive lineman Raleigh — is in put-up or shut-up mode. He’s done a lot of talking in his first two years on Rocky Top on social media and other avenues, and he’s not short on confidence. He’s also contributed meaningful snaps, but other than being an interior space-eater, he’s not made anywhere near the impact recruiting analysts predicted.

His career has been overshadowed by part-time player Shy Tuttle, who has endured two season-ending injuries in two years. Now, with Tuttle still nursing his last battle, this is McKenzie’s defensive line along with Vickers. He MUST show up. He MUST dominate. He MUST get through the line, collapse the middle and provide a push. He MUST have better technique and use his ability as the team’s strongest player to produce key snaps that end possessions.

If he doesn’t do that, the Vols simply won’t be that good on defense. He’s that important.

McKenzie was expected to be a program-turning talent who’d help the Vols elevate their defense to a championship level. Instead, he has been a part-time player who hasn’t been able to stay on the field in every-down situations for whatever reason.

After really blossoming against Texas A&M with five tackles and one for a loss and looking like the kind of player UT recruited, McKenzie tore his pectoral muscle against Alabama and missed the rest of the season, limiting him to just seven games. Though that was a massive loss to UT, it gave him more time to focus on preparing his body for the rigors of SEC play.

It’s time now for him to return with a vengeance.

“Fans and coaches have been waiting to see McKenzie live up to the hype he brought to Knoxville, but against Alabama last year — in his first career start — he went down with a season-ending pectoral injury,” ESPN.com’s Edward Aschoff wrote. “McKenzie has so much potential he has yet to tap into.”

Hoke is tapped to bring it out.

Now, this has the potential for McKenzie to own this defense, to become the alpha dog he was known as during a high school career that had every single college football team in the country wanting him.

The time has come. Much like Kyle Phillips and Tuttle, McKenzie was part of that 2015 recruiting class that was supposed to make UT’s defensive line one of the best in the SEC. If it doesn’t start to happen now, it won’t. His development is vital.

MIGHT

ALEXIS JOHNSON, Redshirt Junior

The top-rated JUCO defensive tackle in the 2016 recruiting class was expected to come to Knoxville and make an immediate impact for a Vols interior defensive line that needed him.

Instead, he dealt with an off-the-field issue involving a woman that wound up keeping him suspended for six months from the team. After seeing charges reduced, Johnson returned to the team after a season-long hiatus, and he looked right away this spring like he was going to help the team.

There’s a season why Alabama, Florida and others wanted him out of JUCO. If he winds up being the player the Vols expected he’d be, he’ll be one of the top two defensive tackles off the bench this year and provide UT with some major depth on the interior.

If he does, there’s no reason why UT’s front can’t be salty.

Shoop told GoVols247’s Ryan Callahan this spring that Johnson was “doing all the right things” to become part of the rotation.

“Alexis is working hard to get himself into the shape that it requires to play at this level, just like Jonathan Kongbo a year ago — some of those junior-college guys. I think sometimes when you’re a junior-college guy, you guys think, ‘OK, it’s like signing an NFL free agent.’ These guys, this is a pretty high level of football. When they get here, they don’t get, necessarily, what it’s all about.”

It’s trial-by-fire time. Behind Vickers, McKenzie and a healthy Tuttle once he returns full-strength during the first third of the season, the Vols are searching for depth. Junior Quay Picou is up to 280 pounds and should be a quality player on the interior, but Johnson is right there. He’d be in the five-man rotation right now, for sure. With the Vols needing a freshman like Matthew Butler or Kivon Bennett to step up and provide some snaps in that rotation, it would be huge for Johnson to be something other than a warm body.

As a matter of fact, if Johnson is a stud, it may enable Butler to slide outside and help on the edge where the Vols need much more depth at end.

Johnson was a guy a lot of teams wanted as a recruit, and when he committed to UT, the rest of the SEC turned up the heat. But the 6’4″, 300-pound redshirt junior from Atlanta stuck with the Vols, and UT stuck with him last year through his ordeal. Now, it’s time for him to show that head coach Butch Jones knew what they were doing trusting his talent.

If he produces in a big way, the Vols’ defensive line will be much better than it was a season ago.

 

• For a look at UT’s quarterbacks “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s running backs “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s wide receivers/tight ends “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s offensive line “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s defensive ends “must” list, click here.

With the start of fall camp right around the corner, it’s time to look at some picks to prosper at each position.

Over the next couple of weeks leading up to the beginning of practice, we’ll examine each position and spotlight a player who the Vols desperately need to perform well as well as one who could elevate the team if he lives up to expectations.

Think of these as the old Chicago White Sox WGN announcers’ “picks to click.”

There’s no greater cause for the wringing of Tennessee fans’ hands in 2017 than the defensive line. After all, a group that included one of the greatest players in the history of UT football in all-time sacks leader Derek Barnett was still wholly terrible thanks to being decimated by injuries. And the group fails to return Barnett, Corey Vereen or LaTroy Lewis. So, it may be even worse than it was a season ago, right? If so, the Vols are in desperate trouble, which means the group collectively need to perform better and defensive coordinator Bob Shoop needs to coach better in ’17. Hopefully for the Vols, the addition of veteran line coach Brady Hoke will help.

Let’s take a look at some guys who have to show up.

MUST

JONATHAN KONGBO, Redshirt Junior

Beyond John Kelly and one of the two quarterbacks, there may not be a more important player on Tennessee’s entire football team.

No pressure, kid.

Last year, the 6’6″, 264-pound defensive lineman was expected to be an instant-impact star after choosing the Vols over Alabama, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Oregon, USC, Florida State and everybody else as the No. 1-ranked JUCO player in the country. It didn’t come so easily so quickly, though.

With injuries in the defensive interior, the Vols moved Kongbo inside. He also played outside, too. He struggled to carve his role early, and folks were beginning to wonder if he was a bust. Then, everything came together late in the year, and he began to show just how good he could be.

He intercepted a Drew Lock pass against Missouri and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. Then, in the Music City Bowl, he notched a career-high with four tackles and a sack, and Shoop began to get excited about his future.

This offseason, Kongbo has been fueled by the early disappointment of riding the pine upon his arrival in Knoxville. Shoop told the media (including GoVols247’s Grant Ramey) last week that Kongbo has been “on a mission” since the end of last year. He’s chiseled his frame in anticipation of being a full-time defensive end, and he’s one of the main reasons Shoop said he was excited about this group.

Now, Shoop doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt after all the preseason chirping a year ago. He has become known for talking up his players since arriving at UT, and it’s show-me season for the Vols. That goes for Kongbo, too.

Everybody knows just what kind of talent he can be, but the Vols don’t just need to hear it; they need to see it. With Barnett and Vereen gone, UT must find pass-rushing production from somewhere, and Kongbo is the perfect place from which it should come. If he can churn out 8-10 sacks, the Vols will be in a good spot.

Kongbo and untapped talent Darrell Taylor need to blossom into the type of pass rushers that can help ease the pain of Barnett’s loss. If they can’t, it’s going to be another long defensive season on Rocky Top.

MIGHT

KYLE PHILLIPS, Junior

It would have been very easy to put Taylor in this spot, but the Vols really do expect to get quality reps from both him and Kongbo.

The biggest wild card on the edge is Phillips.

As a standout at Hillsboro High School, Phillips was coveted by virtually everybody in the country, choosing Tennessee on national television at the U.S. Army All-American Game over LSU and Alabama. That was a game he dominated off the edge, by the way.

Then, he came to Knoxville, and everything stopped.

As a freshman, he moved inside to play some tackle out of necessity, a move he didn’t care for. After some message board whispers about a potential transfer after that season, Phillips returned and showed some glimpses of his ability before getting hurt yet again a season ago. He hasn’t been able to stay healthy since getting to college, and his back has been one of the main culprits.

Now, Phillips is (finally) fully healthy after missing spring practice once again. It’s going to be a fresh start in front of Shoop with two years to play. Though the 6’4″, 263-pound jumbo defensive end could move in and play some tackle, for the first time in his career, the Vols don’t really need for him to. They need him to push to start at end or at least be a quality No. 3 option.

There’s simply nobody else that have any proven snaps. Beyond that trio, the Vols are going to be forced to play youngsters.

In 17 career games, Phillips has 23 tackles and 3.5 tackles for a loss without registering a sack. That freakish talent sprinting around the corner and getting after high school quarterbacks in all-star games is a distant memory, but that wasn’t another lifetime ago. That was a healthy, in-shape Phillips before all the clutter and injuries got to him.

The Vols need for Phillips to put the rough start in the past and have a Robert Ayers-like resurgence. That may sound like a stretch, but it’s exactly the kind of leap UT needs in order to have a championship-caliber defense. It’s time for Phillips to live up to the blue-chip billing he was supposed to be.

• For a look at UT’s quarterbacks “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s running backs “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s wide receivers/tight ends “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s offensive line “must” list, click here.

Tennessee is replacing its starting quarterback, tailback, and number one wide receiver. An ideal combination this is not, especially when all of them went in the NFL Draft. We won’t know what we’re getting in the trade from Josh Dobbs to Quinten Dormady and/or Jarrett Guarantano until we see it. But the best way to help a new quarterback is to get productive play from your starting tailback and number one wide receiver.

We know the names will be John Kelly and Jauan Jennings. The latter had the two most satisfying plays of the 2016 season. The former actually out-gained both Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara last season on fewer carries than both of them (what would the odds have been on that stat this time last year?). Granted, Kelly had no meaningful carries against Virginia Tech, Florida, Georgia, or Alabama. But he still averaged 6.43 yards per carry on the year, good for 43rd nationally.

Kelly’s productivity and a deep offensive line make the running game a lesser concern. I think the biggest question with Kelly actually ties directly into the questions about the passing game.

Tennessee has thrown to their running backs more than any team in the SEC in each of the last two years. In 2015 it was 21% of the time, and the Vols almost hit that number again last year (individual target rates from Football Study Hall):

Team	RB Target Rate
Tennessee	20.6%
LSU	16.3%
Florida	14.9%
South Carolina	13.1%
Auburn	12.8%
Vanderbilt	11.9%
Georgia	10.3%
Alabama	10.2%
Arkansas	9.1%
Texas A&M	9.0%
Ole Miss	8.4%
Mississippi State	8.1%
Kentucky	7.1%
Missouri	4.0%

When the percentage was so high in 2015, we wondered if it represented the lack of a true number one receiver and/or downfield threat, or perhaps Mike DeBord’s conservative fingerprints on Josh Dobbs. But last year all those options faded:  Josh Malone was a clear number one, the Vols hit 50 20+ yard passes, and Dobbs became the highest drafted Vol quarterback that wasn’t Manning or Shuler.

But still, Tennessee went to their backs 20.6% of the time, far more than any other SEC team. So now the question shifts:  were these numbers a byproduct of having Alvin Kamara on the roster, or will this still be a focal part of Butch Jones’ offense with a new quarterback and a new coordinator?

Kamara was the target on 12.6% of Dobbs’ passes in 2015 and 14.3% last year. Both numbers led the SEC among running backs. Can John Kelly fill at least one of those shoes? He didn’t get much opportunity to do so last year:  he caught only six passes and no more than one in any game.

If the running back isn’t going to be a focal point of the passing game, where will those targets go?

Here’s how Tennessee’s passes were distributed last season:

Player	Target Rate
Malone	20.7%
Jennings	17.4%
Kamara	14.3%
Croom	8.8%
Wolf	8.8%
J. Smith	8.3%
Byrd	6.9%
Hurd	4.1%
P. Williams	3.3%
B. Johnson	2.5%
J. Kelly	2.2%

Jennings made a big leap last year after being targeted just 6.2% of the time in 2015. As he becomes the new number one, Tennessee will need a number two to emerge with or without a strong contribution out of the backfield. And if it’s without, they’ll need a number three.

We’ve seen Tennessee’s passing game adapt under Jones in the past when it comes to top of the statistical leaderboard: in 2014 Pig Howard was the number one option out of the slot (54 catches for 618 yards), but Jalen Hurd was still third on the team in receptions with 35. Same for Rajion Neal in 2013, third on the team with 27 catches. Whether Worley or Dobbs, Bajakian or DeBord, throwing to the backs has been high on Butch’s priority list.

I actually think John Kelly will do quite well in this regard when given the chance. The bigger question may be for Ty Chandler or Carlin Fils-aime; history suggests whoever gets the number two reps is still going to get plenty of opportunities coming out of the backfield as well.

Maybe part of playing a new quarterback will include going downfield even more and not having to rely so much on the running backs in the passing game. It’ll be telling to watch early in the season to see how often the Vols look their way. Either way and especially if Tennessee goes downfield more, they’ll need a number two wide receiver to step up to fill in the gap.

 

 

With the start of fall camp right around the corner, it’s time to look at some picks to prosper at each position.

Over the next couple of weeks leading up to the beginning of practice, we’ll examine each position and spotlight a player who the Vols desperately need to perform well as well as one who could elevate the team if he lives up to expectations.

Think of these as the old Chicago White Sox WGN announcers’ “picks to click.”

Today, we’ll continue our in-depth look at important players on UT’s roster with a concentration on the offensive line. With Don Mahoney gone, there’s a chance the front line may actually be a strength for a change. There’s depth, experience and talent all around. If Walt Wells is half as good a coach as he is recruiter, the Vols have the opportunity to be very good along the front. If that’s the case, the offensive transition in the post-Dobbs era may not be so rocky on Rocky Top.

MUST

DREW RICHMOND, Redshirt Sophomore Offensive Tackle

When it comes to versatility, Tennessee’s offensive line may be as strong as anybody’s in the conference. Hopefully for the Vols, that equates to quality of play rather than only having Swiss army knife players who are capable of playing multiple positions.

None of that matters if you don’t have players who can play multiple positions well, does it?

UT is full of guys who can contribute to many spots along the front. Senior Jashon Robertson has the potential to be an All-SEC guard, and he could even play center to get the five best linemen on the field. Senior Coleman Thomas needs a big rebound year after a junior season that may keep him from a starting gig in 2017. He could play center or tackle, if the situation presented itself. Stud freshman Trey Smith expects to fit in somewhere as a starter right away. Fifth-year senior Brett Kendrick can play a lot of places, but the right tackle spot looks like his.

But the most important player on UT’s line this year isn’t budging from the exterior. That would be Drew Richmond, who the Vols desperately need to become the left tackle of the future (and present) right now.

The 6’5″, 309-pound Memphis native has experienced a topsy-turvy, brief career in Knoxville so far.

As a highly recruited 4-star freshman who flipped from Ole Miss on National Signing Day, Richmond was supposed to save the offensive line right away in 2015. Instead, he was slow to develop, redshirted through an admittedly difficult first year in Knoxville and stuck tight. Then, last year, he again struggled at the beginning of the year before the light came on.

Midway through the year, Richmond started to shine.

He started six games, including solidifying the unit when he moved over to left tackle late in the season. When he moved there the Vols got much, much stronger. Cases in point from his UTSports.com bio:

• Started at LT vs. Nebraska in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, paving the way for 521 yards of offense (230 rushing) without giving up any sacks
• Started at LT at Vanderbilt as Tennessee rolled to 516 yards of total offense
• Started at LT in 63-37 win over Missouri, paving the way for 609 yards of offense and as season-high 386 rushing yards
• Started at LT in 49-36 win vs. Kentucky, helping pave the way for 599 yards of offense and 376 rushing yards (UT’s most in an SEC game since 406 vs. Vanderbilt on Nov. 26, 1994). Vols’ 10.2 yards per play was their most since setting the school record at 10.9 against Kentucky in 2000 and their 9.2 yards per rush was the best mark since 9.5 yards per rush against Auburn on Dec. 4, 2004.

He figures to anchor that side of the line again in ’17. The best news for Richmond and the Vols is that Richmond was really Wells’ pet project, and the man who is now UT’s full-time offensive line coach turned around the talented West Tennessee star’s career.

There are a lot of other guys who want that spot, too, though, according to GoVols247’s Wes Rucker who wrote about Richmond recently:

One of the nation’s most highly prized offensive line prospects in the 2015 cycle, Richmond started turning a corner last season and made the first-team left tackle spot his spot late last in the year. The question now is whether he’ll hold off a bunch of other good options and keep that spot.

Now, if Richmond can emerge as a road-grading left tackle who can protect the blind side of Quinten Dormady or Jarrett Guarantano while continuing to excel in run blocking, the Vols’ offensive line could be very stout. There’s no question that a season ago, the Richmond-Kendrick combination led to UT’s best offensive numbers, and if they take a step forward, the Vols could be very tough to handle up front in 2017.

If Richmond is up-and-down again, there are players such as Trey Smith and Marcus Tatum who are ready to take over. But they’d probably take their lumps on the left side, too. That’s why the Vols need Richmond to shine and hammer down that all-important position.

MIGHT

TREY SMITH, Freshman Offensive Lineman

As noted before, the best-case scenario for the Vols this year would be if the Kendrick-Richmond tackle combination excelled. For one reason, that’s an experienced duo with a lot of SEC work under their belts. Another reason is it could give perhaps the most talented freshman offensive lineman in UT history a chance to ease in a little on the interior where he won’t be on so much of an island.

Yeah, we’re talking about “easing in” Trey Smith as a starter.

That should give you a good idea of how good the Jackson, Tennessee, native is. He’s just too talented not to start. When the Georgia Tech game rolls around, Smith will be starting somewhere.

While his long-term future will probably be at tackle, Smith could give the Vols a massive, hulking specimen on the inside right away. If he’s already all but guaranteed a spot in the front five (it would be a huge surprise if he isn’t) that means it’ll be an all-out war to see who starts at that other interior spot between Jack Jones and Venzell Boulware. If Smith is better than one of those two, that bodes well for UT because those guys are pretty darn good.

Smith is just a next-level player.

There’s a reason why Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Ole Miss and virtually everybody else in the nation wanted the kid who wound up ESPN’s No. 1-ranked high school player. The Vols got him to stay at home, and he should be the anchor to UT’s line of the present and future.

If Smith can be a stud right away, the Vols are going to be dominant up front. At 6’6″, 320 pounds, Smith may look like a tackle — and he’s certainly athletic enough to play there — but combining him with Kendrick, Robertson and Richmond on the line looks like it could be flat-nasty.

Tennessee needs Smith to be a beast. If he is, the offense is going to be STRONG.

 

• For a look at UT’s quarterbacks “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s running backs “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s wide receivers/tight ends “must” list, click here.

A couple years ago at the old site, we researched the 247 composite rankings for every Tennessee starting lineup since 2006. Last week Joel provided a 2017 depth chart with individual recruiting rankings,  which inspired me to return to those historical rankings to see how Team 121 compares.

The main point:  the 2017 Vols will have 81 recruiting stars in the (projected) starting lineup, which is tied for the most at Tennessee in the last 12 years. And, somewhat surprisingly, it’s more than last year’s team had in its starting lineup.

First, the numbers:

Position	Player	Stars
QB	Dormady/Guarantano	4
RB	John Kelly	3
WR	Jauan Jennings	4
WR	Josh Smith	3
WR	Tyler Byrd	4
TE	Ethan Wolf	3
LT	Drew Richmond	4
LG	Jashon Robertson	3
C	Coleman Thomas	3
RG	Trey Smith	5
RT	Brett Kendrick	3
DE	Jonathan Kongbo	4
DT	Shy Tuttle	4
DT	Kendal Vickers	3
DE	Darrell Taylor	4
LB	Darrin Kirkland Jr.	4
LB	Cortez McDowell	4
CB	Shaq Wiggins	4
CB	Justin Martin	4
NB	Rashaun Gaulden	3
S	Todd Kelly Jr.	4
S	Nigel Warrior	4
	Offense	39
	Defense	42
	Total	81

There are plenty of spots here that are still up for grabs, but only a few that would actually make a difference in the overall rating. Marquez Callaway earning a start over Josh Smith would give one extra star on offense. If Jack Jones slid into the starting lineup at the expense of Coleman Thomas, that would be another. And the biggest available jump would be for Kahlil McKenzie, one of only two five-stars on the roster, to work his way into the starting lineup over Kendal Vickers.

Still, the 81 stars represented here are tied with 2008 and 2015 for the most in the last dozen years. The overall historical ratings (which count walk-ons as two-stars):

• 81:  2008, 2015, 2017
• 79:  2012, 2016
• 78:  2011, 2013
• 77:  2009
• 75:  2007
• 74:  2006, 2010, 2014

This time last year we were envisioning the 2016 Vols putting a higher-rated lineup on the field that never ultimately materialized, especially on defense. McKenzie never became a consistent starter before getting hurt, four-star options at defensive end couldn’t win the job from three-star Corey Vereen, and likewise with Emmanuel Moseley in the secondary (plus the fact that Cam Sutton was also a three-star out of high school). Last year’s squad was capable of throwing something like 83 stars in the starting lineup, but ended up with lower numbers than 2015 and 2017’s projection.

When you’re replacing Dobbs, Kamara, Malone, Barnett, plus the healthy versions of JRM and Sutton we had to bid farewell to last fall, it can seem like an instant rebuild at the end of a decade of doing just that. But Butch and company have recruited well enough that the talent level, at least in terms of recruiting stars, will remain even. The production levels, of course, remain to be seen, but just because they were playing behind six NFL draft picks doesn’t mean they aren’t talented.

Tennessee’s defense is particularly notable here. Having 42 stars in the projected starting lineup – including only two three-stars in Vickers and Gaulden – means only the 2008 defense (with three five-stars) was a higher-rated unit in the last 12 years. Again, we’re not coming into this year expecting outright greatness from this defense. But there is plenty of talent left on Tennessee’s roster, and much of it is young:  Tennessee only has five four-star seniors, and four of them (Wiggins, Martin, TKJr, and Evan Berry) are in the secondary.

What will this all mean in the fall? Who knows. But if and when this team struggles, it won’t simply be because there’s not enough talent. Its success will depend on how the existing talent – much of it unproven – can rise to the occasion.

 

This is a work in progress, but I wanted to go ahead and share even at this stage to provide a look at Tennessee’s roster by depth and class. I’ve included star ratings and 247Sports Composite numbers as well.

As you can see, there is a lot of raw talent in the middle of the class, especially along the defensive line. Also plenty of talent at linebacker and in the secondary. Talent along the offensive line is a bit more diverse, but what some of them lack in stars, they make up for in experience.

Link to full size.

With the start of fall camp right around the corner, it’s time to look at some picks to prosper at each position.

Over the next couple of weeks leading up to the beginning of practice, we’ll examine each position and spotlight a player who the Vols desperately need to perform well as well as one who could elevate the team if he lives up to expectations.

Think of these as the old Chicago White Sox WGN announcers’ “picks to click.”

Today, we’ll look at the wide receivers and tight ends, which finally had a breakout star emerge a season ago in Josh Malone only to see him forego his final year in Knoxville. The Vols also had a budding, big-play maker emerge in Jauan Jennings, who looked like he has what it takes to be the alpha of the offense. But who’s gonna show up after him?

MUST

ETHAN WOLF, Senior Tight End/JOSH SMITH, Senior Wide Receiver

The Vols know what they’re getting from Jennings; a gamer who is going to fight and claw for every ball, not take plays off, jaw at defenders and give his all for the program every game. That’s just the way he is. If he is a bit more consistent with his production in 2017, he’ll be a go-to receiver for the quarterbacks. If he isn’t, it’ll be a major disappointment. He’s that good.

After him, UT needs guys to step up. That’s where Wolf and Smith — a pair of seniors without excuses — to finally emerge as dependable.

Remember when Wolf came in and started right away as a 6’6″ freshman and everybody was talking about just how much potential he had and how it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for him to be the next Jason Witten, his idol? That seems like a long time and far cry ago. You never know what all goes on behind the scenes and what players are asked to do such as taking on more blocking responsibilities or maybe playing through injuries. He maybe just never clicked in the passing game with Joshua Dobbs. But for whatever reason, Wolf’s career has been pedestrian.

In three years, the Minster, Ohio, native has just 67 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns. That isn’t good enough, especially for an offense that needs the tight end to thrive to be successful.

The promotion of former tight ends coach Larry Scott to offensive coordinator could really help Wolf to make a major leap. If the Vols have a better passing game than they’ve had the past few years, it’ll be because of a safety valve like Wolf who needs to find soft spots and utilize his big body and soft hands with important catches.

It would behoove the Vols for Wolf to approach the UT reception record of 41 by Chris Brown in 2007.

“I would certainly not object to 50 catches,” Wolf told the Knoxville News-Sentinel’s Mike Strange. “But at the end of the day, I love getting the ball and it’s fun, it makes everything that much better, but I just want to win. Whether that’s eight catches, six catches or zero catches, I’m going to be out there doing everything as hard as I possibly can.”

He’s a needed commodity. If Wolf is involved in the offense, the Vols are likely going to be moving the ball effectively.

Now, onto Smith. It’s much the same story.

As a freshman, the Knoxville native had a bad case of the drops, which was baffling considering he came into UT with everybody believing he had great hands and that’s how he earned early playing time. As a sophomore, he was one of the most dynamic early-season playmakers for UT before a nasty high ankle sprain cost him the season.

Last year, his numbers took a major downturn with 13 catches for just 97 yards. For his career, he has 58 catches for 721 yards and five touchdowns. That won’t cut it.

With a bevy of youngsters to go along with Jennings at receiver, UT needs the 6’1″, 206-pound veteran to step up and be a leader, catching the ball, blocking and overall providing quality reps. It would be terrific if he produced a 30-catch season that allowed for some of the youngsters to come along at their own pace and provide the big plays.

Smith is never going to lead a downfield attack, but Tennessee doesn’t need him to. The Vols just need him to be a consistent rotation guy who can make plays to sustain drives.

If he doesn’t, somebody is going to pass him.

MIGHT

MARQUEZ CALLAWAY, Sophomore Wide Receiver

When you’re talking about somebody looking the part, Callaway certainly does. At 6’2″, 199 pounds and with nice cutting ability and quality speed, the sophomore is a guy you look at in warm-ups and think, “He can make plays.”

Now, he has to do it.

The Warner Robins, Georgia, native had just a single catch for 13 yards a season ago. Now, the Vols are going to look to him to be a preliminary target along with Tyler Byrd. Though Callaway is far from a sure thing, he’s a strong bet to emerge. The Vols desperately need him to.

Why?

Because he can be a difference-maker. He and Byrd are guys who have the athletic ability to do big things if Dormady/Guarantano get them the ball. They’re quick-twitch athletes with breakaway speed, as evidenced by Callaway’s punt return for a touchdown a year ago against Tennessee Tech. Of course, the Golden Eagles are a far cry from Alabama or Florida, but it was a glimpse of Callaway’s ability.

All throughout the spring and offseason, Callaway’s name came up as one to watch. UT has a lot of intriguing youngsters like him, Byrd, speedy redshirt freshman Latrell Williams, smooth sophomore Brandon Johnson and the freshman trio of Jordan Murphy, Josh Palmer and Jacquez Jones. Any of those guys could replace Callaway as the guy being discussed here.

But the pick for this column is Callaway. He’s capable of providing 30-40 catches with some of them being big gains and touchdown-scoring grabs. Tennessee needs a showcase pass-catcher to go along with the dawg in Jennings. With significant reps and his first real playing time, Callaway needs to prove he’s as good as his recruiting ranking.

• For a look at UT’s quarterbacks “must” list, click here.
• For a look at UT’s running backs “must” list, click here.