We answer your question about the Vols or anything else in our weekly mailbag, Insider Mailing. If you have questions about anything in the mortgage process, go to BenMillerLoans.com.
“Will the receivers and the tight ends make a big splash this year?” – Anthony Walsh
Erik: Tight end, yes, I think you’ll see Wolf be a staple in the offense. How many targets and receptions that turns into, I’m not positive, but he’s one of the most essential parts to our offense having success.
Wide receiver is very much up for grabs right now in my opinion.
Daniel: It’s pretty easy to envision Ethan Wolf and Jason Croom putting up decent numbers. I agree with Erik in saying it’s just hard to know at receiver right now. I’m expecting at least modest improvement in their numbers, but consistency has been hard to come by for that group.
Stephen: I agree with what EA and Daniel said, which is scary because if the receivers don’t develop at least a little bit, I worry about Azzanni’s job as receivers coach.
“What are the odds @KM1_Era (Kahlil McKenzie’s) “little” brother joins him on Rocky Top?” – @PhilinJax
Daniel: Jalen McKenzie (OT, 6-6, 300 pounds, Concord, Calif.) is coming off a major injury last season, so both sides are wait-and-see at this point. I think if he recovers as expected, there’s a good chance he ends up taking an official to UT in the fall and then I’d like UT’s chances.
Stephen: Jalen only has 7 offers as of right now, which means it’s as Daniel said, a wait-and-see game – not just for Tennessee, but for most major colleges that would consider him. And I can tell you this, if he’s healthy and recovers well, he will get a dozen more offers. But I’d go on record and say if Tennessee is one of the schools that offers him, he will be a Vol.
“You can have dinner with any 5 current players of Team 120. Who are they?” – Mason Burgin
Erik: McKenzie, Tuttle, Hurd, Kamara and Trevor Daniel
Daniel: Give me the starting O-line. I wonder if I can hang with them at the buffet.
Stephen: I would only want to eat with one current player: Charles Mosley. Bring on that rib eating contest big fella!
“Thought on moving the Appalachian State game to Thursday night?” – several people
Erik: Good because I can watch football all Saturday and it’s an excuse to not do any work on Friday.
Daniel: Personally, I couldn’t be happier. That opening weekend is one of the best lineups of college football I’ve ever seen. And while UT vs. Appalachian State is obviously important to this market because it’s the opener of a season with so much hype, it doesn’t even begin to compare to some of the other games across the nation.
I get the frustration for the day-trippers who will either have to pull an all-nighter getting back home if they don’t want to miss work the next day, but selfishly, I love the move. I think it makes the most sense for UT also. It gets that game a touch more publicity and gives everybody a little more time to rest up and prep for the Battle at Bristol.
Stephen: I’m perfectly fine with it. First of all, I love night games in Neyland and even if it’s App. State, Neyland is special at night. Second, it frees up my Saturday to watch other college football games. And third, it does give Tennessee an extra couple days to prepare for Bristol. I will say it does screw over the other University of Tennessee schools though because both UT-Chattanooga and UT-Martin also open their season on September 1st.
