There are few recent Tennessee players that are beloved by the Volunteer fanbase as much as Jauan Jennings. The former Tennessee receiver made legendary plays and willed the 2019 Vols to a 7-5 record after a 1-3 start to the season, totaling nearly 1,000 receiving yards in a poor passing offense.
Now a San Fransisco 49ers receiver, Jennings sounded a lot like any other Tennessee fan while talking about the Vols’, 52-49, upset victory over No. 3 Alabama Saturday afternoon.
“I’m passionate about the University of Tennessee,” Jennings said while meeting with the San Fransisco media earlier this week. “That’s where I’m from. Born and raised. To see those guys come out there and do what they did— it means a lot. It really does. As somebody who’s been in their position before, wanting to do something like that. What they did. I know the hard work they put into it and, like I said, I’ve been in that spot before. I just want them to finish out the season.”
Jennings was monumental is a number of Tennessee football’s top wins over the past decade. The physical receiver totaled 111 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown against Florida for the Vols’ first win over the Gators in 12 tries.
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A week later, Jennings left his mark on SEC football history, hauling in a Josh Dobbs Hail Mary to beat No. 25 Georgia in Athens.
However, Jennings never beat Alabama in his five years in Knoxville. The former Vol receiver was ecstatic at the win and had the same thought as any Tennessee fan that wasn’t inside Neyland Stadium Saturday afternoon.
“I wish I was there,” Jennings said
The third-year NFL receiver soaked in the win from down Interstate-75 in Atlanta, lighting up a victory cigar while sharing some celebratory messages with his former Tennessee teammates.
“I sent a video to most of the guys I played college ball with,” Jennings said. “We all got to just have fun with that moment for a little bit. I’m ready for the next one next year.”
Jennings caught three passes for 18 yards the next day in San Francisco’s loss against Atlanta. The former Tennessee player’s caught 12 passes for 156 yards so far this season.
