Gary Pinkel Impressed By Vols QB Josh Dobbs

Aug 31, 2013; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel and the team run onto the field before the first half of the game against the Murray State Racers at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re one of the multitudes of Vol fans that came away from Tennessee’s loss to Alabama on Saturday, impressed by true freshman QB Josh Dobbs, then you’re not alone.

Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel expressed his thoughts on Dobbs during the weekly SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday.

"Pinkel: I think he’s [Dobbs]  really good. I was really impressed with how he played in the second half…..One thing I was impressed with was his poise. You’re playing on a big stage (At Alabama)."

Pinkel’s sentiments echo those of most Tennessee fans.

Dobbs came into an impossible situation against Alabama. It was his first collegiate game action, on the road against the #1 team in the nation.

That’s a less than desirable way to make your debut.

But that was Dobbs’ situation and he made the most of it. As Pinkel said, he was poised, made good decisions and looked like exactly what the Vols needed.

Dobbs definitely brings another element to the Volunteers’ offense, something that Butch Jones acknowledged as well on Wednesday.

"Jones: He [Dobbs] can make plays when the pocket collapses…We set our offense to play to the skill set of our quarterback, but he definitely brings another element to our offense."

The true freshman has some supporters in his teammates. Several of them had very encouraging things to say about Dobbs in advance of his first career start.

"Jawuan James: I remember having to play as a freshman and he is more locked in than a lot of us, a lot of the seniors. That shows in the game, his preparation, that we have a chance. He played well, he didn’t look frightened, or scared or anything. Jason Croom: We weren’t really surprised with what he did. Coach Jones prepared us for that situation. He came here and just did his job. I feel comfortable with any quarterback that the coaches put back there for us Pig Howard: He gets the guys together, but before we take the field he will get the play call out, pull us all together and remind us to attack the field because we are a fast tempo team. His job is to lead and that is something that he has been doing wel"

Saturday night at Missouri will be a huge opportunity for Dobbs.

If he has a good performance and/or leads Tennessee to a win on the road, then you can best bet he’ll have the starting quarterback role locked down, even when Justin Worley comes back from injury.

The future on Rocky Top is very exciting. For this true freshman from Alpharetta, Ga — the future is now.