Tennessee Football: Biggest Storylines Heading into Fall Camp
The three players who represented the Tennessee football program at SEC media days a couple of weeks back handled the questions from the media contingent like old pros.
By now, quarterback Joshua Dobbs, outside linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and cornerback Cameron Sutton are that. They're seasoned veterans, not only in front of the cameras, but also comfortable in the second skin of the orange and white uniforms.
Yes, they said, they know about the expectations and embrace them. No, they didn't want to respond to Florida's annual trash-talking games. Yes, they're more comfortable as leaders in this program because they know what to expect from each other and the coaching staff. No, they don't anticipate a letdown.
There were few surprises when the Vols spoke. Will there be any once they get on the field?
For the first time in nearly a decade, it'll be a stunner if UT isn't good. With so much talent, depth and experience—not to mention potentially dynamic players in important positions—the Vols should contend this year, at least for the SEC East title.
If they don't, they'll fall short of the buzz brewing on Rocky Top that is flowing like Jack Daniel's on a Neyland Stadium football Saturday.
With fall drills less than a week away now, expected to start on Aug. 1, there are several storylines UT fans need to pay close attention to once the players hit the field. Let's take a look at some of the important pressure points that need addressing in order for the Vols to meet their massive expectations.
Can They Handle the Hype?
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There's no dodging the glare of the spotlight on this year's Tennessee football team. It's been written time and time again this offseason, but the bottom line is there are no excuses for the Vols anymore.
Jones may still allude to Tennessee being young, but the Vols are actually one of the most experienced teams in the nation, returning as many starters as anybody in the Power Five conferences. With a wealth of proven playmakers, this could be a special season.
If it doesn't turn out that way, it's fair to start asking pointed questions.
This regime has proved it can recruit among the top programs in the country, but last year's blunders against Oklahoma and Florida raised concerns about game-day decisions. Everybody needs some teeth-cutting time in the spotlight, so there's no reason to fret yet. After all, Jones proved he can coach at other stops.
But if the Vols revert to their identity at the beginning of 2015—when they battled but squandered key opportunities for big wins rather than the end of the year, when they began closing the deal—there will be unrest in Knoxville.
When asked last week on ESPN's SportsCenter (via Dustin Dopirak of the Knoxville News Sentinel) what would be the definition of meeting expectations this year, Jones said:
"Us meeting our full potential. I gauge it on, 'Does this football team meet its full potential?' We now have the depth. We have some experience, we still only have 11 seniors in our football program. But a lot of these players were youngsters that had to play early and they understand the daily grind of the SEC. We'll still have to rely on some true freshmen, but for us, we just need to worry about meeting our full potential.
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Jones didn't dodge any questions, and that's a positive for a Tennessee program that has consistently been ranked in top 10s and top 15s in virtually every preseason poll. The schedule isn't as difficult as it's been in years past, and things seem to set up favorably for a nice season.
With so much talent expected to exit following 2016, the Vols could take a small step back before they experience the sustained success of the program Jones is building. So, a big year may be needed to appease the fans.
The Vols have everything in place. But they've got to make sure they stick together, lean on their leadership and don't wilt under the weight of the national spotlight. That Florida game in Neyland is an early-season biggie for belief.
Diversification of DeBord and Dobbs
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It wouldn't be fair to say Tennessee was a lopsided show a season ago, because that wouldn't be doing justice to a passing game that was good at times.
But the Vols and quarterback Joshua Dobbs' throwing abilities weren't up to championship caliber. That can't be disputed, no matter how big of a fan you are of UT's dual-threat, do-it-all-off-the-field leader.
Dobbs has dynamic abilities and freelances with the best of them in all of college football in the open field, but he has to throw the ball a lot better if the Vols are going to play for the SEC title, which is this year's expectation.
He knows it. Jones knows it. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord needs to know it, too.
Last year, the Vols relied heavily on a ground attack that finished with the second-most rushing yards in school history, and rightfully so. The duo of Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara teamed with Dobbs to make the Vols a force on the ground no matter who they played.
It was impossible to keep defenses honest, however, because Dobbs was inconsistent when it came to stretching the field.
This year, he should have two potentially elite receiving weapons in returning leading receiver Josh Malone and sophomore Preston Williams, who looked like he's ready to emerge as a star this spring. Add reliable junior Josh Smith, and that's a nice trio. Tight end Ethan Wolf could be poised for a big year, too.
If the Vols have a freshman or two step up out of Brandon Johnson, Tyler Byrd, Marquez Callaway and Latrell Williams, and if JUCO transfer Jeff George or sophomore Jauan Jennings can prove to be reliable rotation players as well, receiver may go from a struggle to a strength.
There's nothing wrong with being a run-first team. The Vols used to be that way, and they won a ton of games that way. But you've got to be able to throw the ball in key situations, too. Last year, Dobbs wasn't consistent enough to threaten anybody in those situations.
If he takes a big step forward this year, and if DeBord trusts him enough to do that, the Vols could have a big, big year on offense.
Will Injuries Be an Early-Season Factor?
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Lost in the flowery words of all this excitement regarding Tennessee's talent, and the notoriety that defensive coordinator Bob Shoop brought with him from Penn State, is the uncomfortable fact that two of UT's best defenders are still not fully healthy.
Sure, senior linebacker and leader Jalen Reeves-Maybin and sophomore defensive tackle Shy Tuttle hope to be ready (or at least close to ready) by the time the season starts. But setbacks are a reality in recovery, and neither player will be 100 percent when fall camp starts.
"We're hopeful," Jones said at SEC media days when asked about Tuttle's injury, according to Rocky Top Insider's Daniel Lewis. "He's gone through all the strength and conditioning activities. But for him, it's going to be how much he can handle. I see him more being available near the middle of training camp. The thing we can't do is rush it."
With all the injuries UT has endured over the past couple of springs, it's no wonder the Vols made a strength and conditioning change at the top. Important members of the two-deep rotation are supposed to return, such as star defensive end Derek Barnett, reserve Kyle Phillips and safety Evan Berry.
All of those players are integral parts to the success of the defense, and there are some offensive injury concerns as well, as guys like offensive tackle Chance Hall try to regain full health before fall drills start.
There have been no whispers that any injury could wind up being season-threatening, but there will be some breath-holding until Reeves-Maybin and Tuttle return.
"It's been going well," JRM told GoVols247's Wes Rucker at SEC media days. "I'm right on track. As long as I continue to progress, I should be ready to go during camp. I'm just rehabbing every day, grinding every day, and I’m trying to get all my range of motion and my strength back. It's been a good process."
It's impossible to imagine the Vols could reach their defensive ceiling if JRM can't get all the way back from his shoulder injury. If Tuttle's lower leg keeps him hobbled until October, those early-season showdowns against Virginia Tech and Florida become tougher.
It's important to note both players should be back, which is huge news for the Vols. But until they are, it's worth a worry.
King Kongbo and the D-Line Development
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His recruitment and national signing day saga were followed by much of the recruiting world as Jonathan Kongbo, the country's top-ranked JUCO prospect, made everybody wait until the afternoon of the first day players could sign to choose the Vols.
That broke hearts in Tallahassee, Florida, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Oxford, Mississippi, and other places.
Now, the brash, big-time athlete is ready to take the SEC by storm. After doing plenty of talking about rivals Alabama and Florida on Twitter this offseason, per Gridiron Now's Dan Mathews, he's ready to let his playing bring the noise.
The Vols have a bunch of potential on the defensive line with key playmakers such as Derek Barnett, Corey Vereen and some unproven players who have high ceilings like Tuttle and Kahlil McKenzie. But Kongbo could wind up being a major X-factor in UT's defensive line rotation.
It was expected that Kongbo would make an immediate impact on the edge, as he was recruited to be a strong-side defensive end. But with Tennessee's deep talent pool at end and the way Kongbo's body has developed since arriving on campus, it wouldn't be a big surprise to see him become a quicker factor inside.
The Vols had success with former USC transfer Malik Jackson doing that, and Jackson has gone on to the NFL, where he has made himself a lot of money with Denver and Jacksonville. Kongbo could be the next versatile lineman who could give Shoop plenty of flexibility along the defensive front.
UT's new coordinator told folks in Knoxville recently that Kongbo was up to 282 pounds, yet was still fast and explosive, according to Rucker.
"He's been really good. I mean, he's as advertised," Shoop said.
If McKenzie comes along and Tuttle returns, Kongbo's emergence could wind up being the biggest news of Tennessee's fall camp. If he's ready to slide into the rotation right away, that makes the Vols even deeper and better.
Players such as defensive tackles Danny O'Brien, Kendal Vickers and defensive end LaTroy Lewis are nice players who can provide quality depth, but the Vols need difference-makers to insert who can turn games with turnover-causing plays. Kongbo has that ability.
Tackling a Big Question
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Tennessee's quirky offensive linemen have started their own "Life in the Shadows" Twitter account that is good for some hilarious selfies and other shenanigans that prove the group is close.
One popular theme is a lineman taking a picture of himself with Dobbs in the background posing with a doting Tennessee fan. It's all great stuff, and it's great for UT fans to see their offensive front fall back into the shadows after that position was front and center for the wrong reasons a couple of years ago.
This year, the Vols linemen hope they stay off everybody's minds. After all, the mentality of linemen is, "If we do our job, nobody talks about us. When we fail, everybody knows." It's that mantra that helps offensive linemen everywhere bond.
The Vols should be stouter at the position this year than they've been in a few years, at least since Ja'Wuan James, Tiny Richardson and Zach Fulton helped anchor the unit. The interior of UT's line is strong with center Coleman Thomas and potential All-SEC guards Dylan Wiesman and Jashon Robertson.
Throw in valuable cogs who can rotate in such as Venzell Boulware, Jack Jones and Austin Sanders, and UT should be deep in the middle.
But it's the tackles who have to make sure Dobbs stays upright so he can mug for the camera with fans. While Tennessee has good enough prospects to fill the roles of guarding Dobbs' edges, they are far from proven.
Last year, Brett Kendrick started the first half of the season and was beginning to come into his own as a reliable staple when injuries forced him out of six games. True freshman Chance Hall stepped in and looked like a future star, solidifying the right tackle spot for the present and future.
All Kendrick did this spring while Hall was out was step back in and impress everybody around. That's going to be a nice battle to watch out for this fall.
The most ballyhooed former recruit at tackle is Drew Richmond, who is being pegged to start as a redshirt freshman at the all-important left tackle spot. He had a solid spring and excited his teammates with the work he put in this offseason, so those are positives.
If Richmond falters, though, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Hall and Kendrick could start. Hall must regain his old form after returning from an injury that cost him this spring, too.
So, there are several question marks at tackle. While the Vols have some answers, the players must perform, or it's going to be difficult for UT to do the things they expect offensively with defenders breathing down Dobbs' neck.
All information gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. All recruiting information gathered from 247Sports unless otherwise noted. All stats gathered at cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted.
Brad Shepard covers SEC football and is the Tennessee lead writer for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.
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