Tennessee blessed with experienced depth
KNOXVILLE — The Times Free Press is taking a daily positional look at the Tennessee football team, leading up to the Volunteers’ first practice on Aug. 2. After previewing the quarterbacks and running backs in previous days, today we look at the wide receiver/tight end group:
Who’s back
The Vols return their top six wideouts as well as their top pass-catching tight end from a year ago, Dominick Wood-Anderson. Marquez Callaway has proven to be one of the team’s top playmakers, with six catches of at least 30 yards. He was the team’s leading receiver with 592 yards on 37 catches in 2018. Jauan Jennings flirted with testing NFL draft waters, but the 6-foot-3, 208-pounder’s presence gives the Vols a physical target. Junior Josh Palmer became a threat in his first season with 10 20-yard plays and a 21.0-yard average on 23 receptions, and junior Jordan Murphy proved he had some explosiveness with a 59-yard run that set up a score against 11th-ranked Kentucky and a 50-yard catch-andrun against East Tennessee State. Seniors Brandon Johnson — the team’s leading receiver in 2017 — and Tyler Byrd have had moments throughout their careers and will provide quality depth in their final season. At tight end, Wood-Anderson hauled in 17 catches and scored twice in his first season with the program, while junior Austin Pope had a pair of starts and a 55-yard reception against Florida.
Who’s new
Although this season may not be their turn, four quality players were added at the receiver and tight end positions who at worst will be able to make contributions down the road. Ramel Keyton was a highly regarded prospect who was one of the Vols’ first commitments for the 2019 recruiting cycle and went through the spring, while Jerrod Means was an under-theradar prospect and one of the first players to sign in December. Sean Brown and Jackson Lowe add to the tight end group and could see some early action. Lowe showed some potential in the spring game, hauling in a long reception before fumbling it away late.
Strengths
The experience and depth at wide receiver are big pluses, and the potential is another with national champion Tennessee quarterback and renowned offensive coach Tee Martin back in Knoxville to mentor the group. Callaway and Palmer are big-bodied athletes capable of making plays, while Jennings will be able to get some of the tough yards downfield as a big target for quarterback Jarrett Guarantano. The fact that Johnson is now a reserve speaks to the depth that’s been accumulated the past few years. At tight end, Wood-Anderson’s ability to both catch and block make him an attractive commodity in new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney’s scheme.
Weaknesses
For the receivers, the biggest negative is that recently there hasn’t been anyone with the game-breaking speed necessary in the Southeastern Conference. The players can’t get faster, so how will Chaney be able to consistently get them open? As far as tight ends, there’s that lingering issue of depth: After Wood-Anderson, only Pope has played any meaningful snaps. That’s currently not a concern, but the Vols are an injury away at that position from having to rely on a freshman. Will any be ready?
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/VolsUpdate.