It’s been eight years since Josh Dobbs and Jauan Jennings were teammates at Tennessee and became forever intertwined when the two connected for a game winning Hail Mary at Georgia.
But after eight years and two successful professional career later, Dobbs and Jennings are once again teammates. This time it is all the way across the country with the San Fransisco 49ers.
Dobbs is the newcomer in the bay, signing a one-year contract with the 49ers back in March after a chaotic 2023-24 season saw him start games for both the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. Meeting with the San Fransisco media on Wednesday, Dobbs discussed playing with Jennings during their time together at Tennessee.
“I remember when I was at Tennessee he came in and was a quarterback,” Dobbs said. “He was like my little brother. We were doing squats together and everything. So to see his maturation as coming in as a quarterback to playing as a freshman in college at receiver to going five years at Tennessee and coming here and earning every opportunity he’s gotten and going out and excelling on the biggest stages possible and do what he does— it’s been great to see his growth throughout his football career. I know he’s just scratching the surface on what he can be.”
While Jennings has made his mark on the football field as a receiver, from time-to-time he’s shown the passing skills he displayed at Blackman High School when he was a four-star quarterback.
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It was a blast from the past during the Super Bowl when Jennings threw a touchdown on a trick play that was eerily similar to one Tennessee successfully ran against Florida in 2015. Dobbs caught the touchdown pass from Jennings in the Swamp and shared with the media his reaction when he saw Jennings throw a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
“I saw (the comparisons) everywhere,” Dobbs said. “Obviously, Tennessee media jumped at every single replay they could make and then I actually texted him a couple weeks after the game because he was in Dallas and we were about to work out together. I was like, ‘so did they ask you about your play from Florida when you threw the touchdown to me?’ He said they didn’t ask him about it but I’m sure they got it from somewhere knowing that he could make that throw across the field.
“It was cool to see. For him to throw a touchdown in the Super Bowl, not many guys can say that let alone not playing quarterback. Pretty cool moment for him.”
Jennings capped off a strong 2023-24 season with a memorable Super Bowl, catching four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown as well as throwing the 21 yard touchdown pass.
While Jennings spent the first four seasons of his professional career in San Fransisco, it was uncertain whether he would be back with the 49ers this year. Jennings was a free agent this offseason where he signed a two-year contract for $15.39 million.
Dobbs is entering his eighth season in the NFL and after starting for most of the 2023 season, the former Tennessee standout is competing with Brandon Allen for the 49ers’ backup quarterback spot this camp.
