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.