SEC RANK: 5
2014 RECORD: 7-6 SEC RECORD: 3-5 (T-4th, East)
STADIUM: Neyland Stadium (102,455)
LOCATION: Knoxville, Tenn.
COACH: Butch Jones — At Tennessee: 12-13, 2 years; overall: 62-40, 8 years
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike DeBord
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: John Jancek
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1998
LAST TIME DIDN’T GO BOWLING: 2013
RETURNING STARTERS: 18; 9 offense, 8 defense, kicker
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Josh Dobbs, RB Jalen Hurd, WR Marquez North, DE Derek Barnett, DE Curt Maggitt, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, CB Cam Sutton
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Dobbs should be one of the SEC’s top QBs; the WR corps is deep and talented; the Vols have a solid 1-2 punch at RB. UT’s defense can get after the QB. The secondary, led by Sutton, helped UT nab as many interceptions (16) as touchdowns allowed (16) and held opposing quarterbacks to a 53.3 percent completion rate.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Tennessee’s offensive line yielded 43 sacks last year and the unit is unproven at both tackle spots. That’s the only area that could derail a talented attack. On defense, the Vols could be vulnerable at tackle, although two five-stars were signed. UT also will have trouble replacing tackling machine A.J. Johnson at middle ‘backer.
OFFENSE
The Vols should have one of the SEC’s top five quarterbacks, a gifted 1-2 punch at running back and a talented array of receivers.
Josh Dobbs went 4-1 as the starting quarterback, saving UT’s season after Justin Worley’s injury. With Dobbs, UT averaged 36.7 points and ran for 208.5 yards per game, compared to 96.4 without him.
Dobbs should have a strong supporting cast. Jalen Hurd rushed for 899 yards as a true freshman despite battling injuries. Speedy Alvin Kamara, a former Alabama signee, was a junior college All-American last season. Kamara turned heads with his ability to turn the corner in spring scrimmages.
The receiving corps is deep, led by Marquez North (30 catches), Pig Howard (54), Von Pearson (38), Josh
Malone (23) and Josh Smith (10). North and Smith are coming off injuries that derailed last season. Tight end Ethan Wolf (23) also is an inviting target.
The offensive line — which returns significant experience — is a concern following the injury to guard Marcus Jackson (arm), arguably the team’s best lineman. It yielded an SEC-high 43 sacks last season. But with the elusive Dobbs at quarterback, the sack numbers dropped dramatically.
DEFENSE
Tennessee’s defense has made a dramatic about face under coordinator John Jancek, who ditched the
3-4 two years ago for the 4-3 alignment.
The main improvement has been the pass rush. Curt Maggitt, a hybrid end/outside linebacker, led the way with 11 sacks last season. Derek Barnett recorded 10 as a true freshman, giving the Vols a potent pass rush punch.
Maggitt and Barnett are among eight returning defensive starters. UT lost No. 2 all-time leading tackler A.J. Johnson at middle linebacker, tackle Jordan Williams and nickel back Justin Coleman.
The main concern is replacing Johnson, a two-time All-SEC selection. Junior Kenny Bynum and redshirt freshman Dillon Bates worked at the Mike in the spring. Jakob Johnson, injured in the spring, is another candidate.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who recorded 101 tackles, is an All-SEC candidate at outside linebacker and the unquestioned leader of the defense.
Junior Cam Sutton is an All-SEC caliber shutdown corner. But because UT often plays five defensive backs, Sutton got a look at the nickel spot in the spring, so he could possibly be matched against an opponent’s best wideout.
SPECIAL TEAMS
As a true freshman, Aaron Medley was second in the SEC in made field goals (20 of 26) and was one of five kickers in the league to score at least 100 points (102). He hit 19 of 20 inside 40 yards. Sutton averaged 11.3 yards on punt returns and Evan Berry averaged 29.5 yards on kick returns. The lone void is finding a punter to replace Matt Darr (42.2 yards per punt).
OVERVIEW
The Vols will have an explosive offense if Dobbs stays healthy. The defense should take another step forward in Jancek’s third year as coordinator. While depth is an issue at some positions, UT has the look of an eight- or nine-win team that could seriously contend for the East Division if it all breaks right.
TOP NEWCOMER
RB Alvin Kamara: He was an All-American at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, where he rushed for 1,211 yards (134.6 per game) and 18 touchdowns. The former Alabama signee showed outstanding speed and cutting ability during the spring at UT.