Bold Predictions
Nathanael: Ethan Wolf finishes in the top 3 of Tennessee’s receivers.
The best season Ethan Wolf has had in his Tennessee career saw him finish No. 4 in terms of receiving yards for the Vols when he totaled 301 receiving yards in 2015. Aside from that, Wolf has felt like an afterthought on offense sometimes, and he hasn’t topped that production since his sophomore year. But I think this year will be the season Wolf finally has a solid season and could top the 400 or 500-yard receiving mark.
The Vols are extremely young at their skill positions on offense, and Wolf is one of the few seasoned veterans not on the offensive line for Tennessee. The Vols need Wolf to step up and have a great year this season, and I think he does just that.
Will: Taylor and Kongbo have more sacks than Barnett and Vereen.
Last year, Derek Barnett broke the Vols’ career sack record, and he did so by tallying 13 sacks on the season. Senior Corey Vereen provided ample assistance with seven sacks of his own. The duo combined for 20 sacks last year, but I think Tennessee’s new duo of Darrell Taylor and Jonathan Kongbo can top that in 2017.
Mason: Colton Jumper balls out.
Ladies & Gentlemen I present to you Colton Jumper!
Can’t wait to watch you play – have a great 2017!
THAT’S HEART! pic.twitter.com/yz3hu3PzaF
— TJ LSU DAD (@tj_lsudad) July 14, 2017
Ben: After a rough 2016 season, the secondary will be the best defensive unit in 2017.
In 2016, Tennessee’s secondary had a season they would love to forget. After parting ways with Willie Martinez, Butch Jones hired Charlton Warren away from North Carolina as the Vols’ new defensive backs coach, looking to solve last season’s problems.
The Vols lose Cam Sutton and Malik Foreman to graduation, but they return seniors Emmanuel Moseley and Justin Martin. Tennessee also picked up grad transfer Shaq Wiggins from Louisville, adding much needed experience and talent to the secondary. Youngsters Baylen Buchannan, Cheyenne Labruzza, Shawn Shamburger and Marquill Osborne are expected to play into the rotation as well. Rashaan Gaulden has been playing nickel for Tennessee, but don’t be surprised when he lines up at corner on Monday night against Georgia Tech.
Safety is the strongest position on the team for Tennessee. The Vols have four solid choices in the back end of the secondary with Todd Kelly Jr., Nigel Warrior, Micah Abernathy and Evan Berry. Expect for Kelly Jr. to start at free safety with Warrior starting at strong safety. Freshman Theo Jackson has turned heads in practice and is expected to factor into the rotation in some capacity.
