There haven’t been too many happy moments in Knoxville over the past couple of years, with only 11 wins over that time.
If that is going to change, it might be due to one of the most talented a group of wide receivers in the Southeastern Conference — and perhaps the nation. Da’Rick Rogers, Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson, a junior college transfer, give Vols quarterback Tyler Bray a comfort zone in the passing game.
Rogers is the leader of the group after the 6-foot-3, 208-pound junior hauled in 67 passes for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns last season. But the Calhoun, GA., native is most excited about Patterson, who was rated the top junior college (Hutchinson Community College) player in the nation according to Rivals.com.
“I can’t wait until we come together because I really am excited to see what (Patterson) does against the first team,” Rogers said. “I have seen him against the other guys and he looked really good.”
Rogers and Hunter have been working out in evening sessions, while Patterson has been working out in the evening practices with the fall recruits.
“He has all those things so we can put him in the slot, we can put him on the outside, we can use him in a lot of places,” Rogers said.
When asked what impressed him the most about the new receiver, Rogers said, “Really just his knowledge of the game, His speed is really good. He is my size so he is a big receiver. He just adds to our core. When you have so many weapons, you have to respect every weapon so it opens up so many opportunities for our offense, even in the run game.”
The three talented receivers will take the field together for the first time Monday, and they’ll give Tennessee coach Derek Dooley a full glimpse of the possibilities he can look for out of his receivers. After just two practices, the Vols coach was happy with what he’s seen out of his team.
“I’m really pleased with the way this team has approached these two days,” Dooley said after Saturday’s practices. “They have a real workmanlike approach, a lot of leadership, a lot of chatter and have been really positive.
“I’m proud of them but, of course, the challenge is as you get deeper into camp something will be new. We’ll have shoulder pads on and they’ll feel heavier, it will be hotter and how do we respond to that?
“The good news is that things are good as far as how we are working and how we are approaching (practice) but the test will come each day and that’s when it gets tougher on the leadership. Overall, it’s been a real good start and we’re looking forward to putting pads on,” he said.
He has been particularly impressed with the night sessions with the newcomers.
“Last night was good,” Dooley said. “It was about like most of the freshmen practices, so their heads are spinning and they have no idea what we’re talking about. The ones that go out and play fast and don’t worry about all of that always look a little better. It was good.”
The Vols are in need of a good start to the season if they are going to improve on Dooley’s 11-14 two-year record in Knoxville. They will have to do it against an improved NC State team on August 31 in the Georgia Dome, where Tennessee currently has a five-game losing streak. Then, after a non-conference game against Georgia State, the Florida Gators come calling.
Getting off to a good start is not going to be an easy task for the Vols, as they hope to put up a season that will get their coach off the presumed hot seat. But it seems like Dooley’s team is poised to prove the naysayers wrong.