Tennessee Volunteers: Midseason Report
Oct 5, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
At 3-3, the Tennessee Volunteers are exactly where most people predicted through the midway point in the season. Effort, consistency, and improvement are what this season will ultimately be judged by. After being ravaged by attrition, subpar recruiting classes, a coaching change, a one-and-done coach, and another coaching change, the Vols have been craving stability.
When Butch Jones took over the program, it was widely understood that the overall talent level of the team was down from what it should be to in order to be successful in the SEC. The fan base had grown increasingly frustrated with the previous coaching staff’s inability to recruit and what seemed like a nonchalant attitude towards building a winning program. Halfway through season one of the Butch Jones era, the Volunteer program still has plenty of work to do, but have many reasons to be excited about what is to come over the next few years.
Sep 21, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mid-Season MVP: Michael Palardy
Senior Punter Michael Palardy has been a model of consistency for the Vols this season. Averaging 45.7 yards per punt, Palardy has done a very good job of flipping field position and putting the Tennessee defense in good position to start possessions. He has also gone 5-6 on FG attempts this season, with his lone miss being partially blocked by his holder Tyler Drummer.
After being rated as the number one kicker in country out of high school, Palardy has had a much maligned first three years in Knoxville. His senior campaign, however, has been nothing short of stellar. He has gone from being a liability in past seasons to being a weapon for a team that desperately needs him.
Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Mid-Season Most Improved: Alton “Pig” Howard
Last season, the Vols relied heavily on players like Justin Hunter, Cordarrelle Patterson, Zach Rogers, and Mychal Rivera on offense. With those players moving on via graduation and NFL draft, new head coach Butch Jones needed to find a playmaker to rely on in a bad way. Many speculated that would be true freshman WR Marquez North, but Howard has stepped up and shown he has the ability to be a featured threat.
Pig has improved to the point where getting the ball in his hands is one of the most important things to the Volunteer offense. He has demonstrated the ability to allude defenders and make tough catches, and the tremendous effort he has exuded has made him a go-to player for the Vols. His improvement has taken some pressure off junior QB Justin Worley and has many UT fans hoping he sees the ball more often than not.
Sep 7, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mid-Season Best Defensive Player: Dontavis Sapp
Senior LB Donatvis Sapp has been a work horse on defense for Tennessee. He plays almost every defensive snap, plus plays on special teams coverage. The converted safety’s value is undeniable, as he steps up and plays the run and is a big asset in defending the pass with his coverage skills.
Since day one, Butch Jones and his coaching staff have praised the energy and intensity Sapp brings to LB corps. He has been a great leader for the defense and nice compliment to junior LB A.J. Johnson. There is no doubt Dontavis Sapp makes the defense a better unit, and he will be needed if the Vols are to make a push for a bowl game for the first time since the 2010 season.
Mid-Season Grades
Oct 5, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks – D+
Justin Worley’s severe struggles early on combined with the failed Nathan Peterman experiment really drag this grade down. Worley has played better as of late and has raised the grade from a potential F to a D+. Worley should continue to improve through the rest of the season, and his role will be crucial to the success of the Vols.
Running Backs – B
The running game has been the strength of the offense this season, but it has struggled in stretches. Senior Rajion Neal has stepped up and ran well over the last couple of games. Junior Marlin Lane has been unable to stay on the field due to nagging injuries.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends – C+
Youth and inexperience has plagued the Vols early in the season, but playmakers have started to emerge. Pig Howard and Marquez North have become big weapons for Justin Worley. Their development will hinge on Worley’s development…and vice versa. While the young WR’s have improved, untimely drops have continued to hurt the offense.
Offensive Line – B-
The much ballyhooed offensive line has not quite delivered on their lofty preseason expectations thus far. While they have been “OK,” they have struggled to push back smaller defensive lines and have stalled drives with penalties. The predicted strength of the team will need to step up and lead the Vols if they hope to make a bowl game.
Defensive Line – C+
Injuries and inconsistent play has been a bugaboo for the Vols defensive line. Corey Vereen’s return and Daniel McCullers’ better play as of late has given the D-Line a big boost. With Vereen’s speed on the outside and McCullers’ ability to blow up the interior of the opposing offensive line, the UT defense should benefit going into the second half of the season.
Line Backers – B-
Depth issues and difficult situations have given the UT LB corps fits. Junior A.J. Johnson has struggled in pass coverage, but has played well against the run. Seniors Dontavis Sapp and Brent Brewer have been welcome shots of life to a unit that had very little depth heading into the season.
Sep 21, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Secondary – C+
Despite several interceptions, the secondary has struggled in certain situations and its overall lack of speed has been evident. Freshman Cameron Sutton has been an ironman for the Volunteers and redshirt sophomore Brian Randolph has been a steadying force. Big plays will be needed from Justin Coleman, LaDarrell McNeil, Byron Moore, Malik Foreman, and Devaun Swafford.
Special Teams – B-
Michael Palardy has been stellar punting the ball and flipping field position. Punt and kickoff coverage has been solid. They even have a blocked punt for a TD. The main issue with the Vols special teams unit is the inability to make big plays in the return game. The absence of Devrin Young has been huge for a Tennessee team that needs to be able use special teams to win games. True freshman Jalen Reeves-Maybin has become a special teams star.
Coaching – B
It’s hard to place much blame on the coaching staff, given the hand they were dealt. It’s no secret UT is having to deal with a less talented team than they would like. It is evident the team is improving and effort is being shown. Over the last few seasons, UT had been accused of giving up, but not this team. This year’s version of the Vols has taken on Butch Jones’ personality and has demonstrated a level of grit Vol fans have not seen in a while.
Overall – C+
With six games down and six games to go, the Vols have plenty of room for improvement. However, Coach Jones’ foundation motto is serving to be true. He has bricks to build with and the foundation looks to be more solid than it was when he first took the job. Will the Vols win the required six games to make a bowl game? Only time will tell, but it’s not for a lack of effort.