7. “Astro” Dobbs takes flight after Worley’s injury
Senior quarterback Justin Worley won the starting job outright after sophomore Joshua Dobbs struggled with his accuracy in fall camp. Worley clearly had his moments, but playing behind a poor offensive line, the less-mobile Worley took a pounding and eventually was knocked out for the season with a shoulder injury sustained late in the game against Ole Miss. Nathan Peterman got the start against Alabama, but it was Dobbs, who came in the third possession of that game, that was able to ignite the offense. Using his feet and his improved passing accuracy, Dobbs sparked the Vols to a competitive showing against the Tide, a huge comeback win over South Carolina and two more wins over UK and Vandy to get Tennessee back to a bowl game. An aspiring aerospace engineer, Dobbs earned a variety of nicknames, but said simply “Astro” Dobbs is his favorite.
