Wide Receivers
Ryan Jenkins (2013 class) – Arizona State
2017 Season: 2 catches, 11 yards
Jenkins was an intriguing four-star prospect when he signed with the Vols in 2013, but he never saw much action and only caught one pass in his lone year at Tennessee. He transferred to Arizona State eventually and was a walk-on in 2016, catching two passes for 13 yards. He didn’t fare much better in 2017.
Alphonso Carter (2013 class) – North Carolina Central (switched to DB)
2017 Season: 26 tackles, 1 TFL, 7 PD, 1 FF, 4 kick returns, 83 yards, 6 punt returns, 30 yards
The curious case of Alphonso Carter continues to puzzle me. Carter, who was known as Paul Harris when he signed with Tennessee in 2013, transferred to Iowa Western in the JUCO ranks after he failed to make an impact at UT. He then signed with Louisville, but he failed to do much with them either even after switching to defense. He ended up at North Carolina Central last season and was fairly productive in the secondary and on special teams for them.
Vic Wharton III (2014 class) – California
2017 Season: 67 catches, 871 yards, 5 TDs, 9 punt returns, 89 yards
Wharton has been one of the most successful transfers out of Tennessee’s program over the last few years. He had a solid first season with California in 2016, but he really made a name for himself last year and led the Golden Bears in catches and receiving yards. He figures to be a prominent fixture in Cal’s passing attack again this season.
Vincent Perry (2015 class) – Iowa Western (JUCO)
2017 Season: 68 catches, 836 yards, 7 TDs, 15 kick returns, 494 yards, 2 TDs
Injuries plagued Perry while at Tennessee, as he missed one full season because of one and started out hampered by injury in another. Of course, his second season with the Vols never got going because he was ruled academically ineligible anyway. He ended up at Iowa Western Community College and had a very strong season. He signed with Tennessee State during the 2018 recruiting cycle and will play for them this upcoming season.
Jocquez Bruce (2015 class) – MTSU
2017 Season: 9 catches, 59 yards, 1 TD, 42 carries, 206 yards, 1 TD
Joc Bruce, a prospect from South-Doyle in Knoxville, never even took the field for the Vols. He was part of their 2015 signing class but didn’t even make it to the start of the season before he elected to transfer. He ended up at MTSU, sat out the 2015 season, then suffered a season-ending injury before the 2016 season got started. He was used more as a running back last year for the Blue Raiders, and he may have finally found a role.
