Tennessee Volunteers Pick Up Maryland Running Back Transfer Justus Pickett

Butch Jones doesn't wants to wait around for five years before competing. He intends to put together a Tennessee Volunteers team that can make some noise this fall. One of the most glaring needs for 2013 was running back depth. Enter Justus Pickett, former Maryland Terrapin:

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@WiseWords561 Yeah it's official UT is where ima be balling at

— Justus Pickett (@PickHendrix) June 21, 2013

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The former 3-star athlete held offers from schools like Auburn, South Carolina and West Virginia before choosing Maryland to play football. He spent two years in College Park as a change-of-pace back, rushing for 416 yards on 143 attempts with four touchdowns.

That means that at most, Pickett has two years to contribute as a Vol. At least two sources believe his family hardship waiver won't be granted by the NCAA (he's from Charlotte, four hours away from Knoxville), meaning he'll have to wait until 2014 to play.

By then, the recently returned Marlin Lane will be a senior, Alden Hill will be a redshirt sophomore and incoming freshmen Jalen Hurd and Trayvon Paulk will have plenty to say about playing time.

At 5'10", 185 pounds, Pickett isn't likely to supplant the bell cows for the Vol rushing attack, regardless of which year he's eligible. His small frame and good speed make him a great counter to the power rushing Tennessee does over the next two or three years.

Pickett adds the scatback element that the 2013-2014 Vols lacked, as well as much-needed depth to a thin position for the Big Orange.