Today On Rocky Top: Vols’ Johnson & Richardson Have Decisions To Make
By Zach Ragan
Nov 23, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker A.J. Johnson (45) tackles Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Patton Robinette (4) during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
From NFL.COM
"Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson and left tackle Antonio Richardson are two underclassmen who will soon decide whether to turn pro early, or return to college for one final season.But based on the comments of Vols assistant coaches, Richardson might be more ready to make the move.This from UT offensive line coach Don Mahoney, according to timesfreepress.com: “I will provide whatever he will be willing to listen to. In a short period of time, we have gained mutual trust — is probably the biggest word — for each other and that type of thing.”"
From The Tennessean
"Tennessee coach Butch Jones wants to make sure the Volunteers’ season doesn’t end in November again any time soon.“It’s expected we go to bowl games from here on out,” Jones said. “That’s our goal.”Tennessee will have a better chance of earning that first bowl bid since 2010 next year if it shows the big-play ability it displayed Saturday in a 27-14 season-ending victory at Kentucky.After struggling to create explosive plays on both sides of the ball all season, Tennessee had three touchdowns of at least 40 yards and produced five sacks against Kentucky."
From WBIR
"With Tennessee’s football season over, Vol fans are focusing on the future. However, they took a moment to reflect on this season.The Vols were 3-3 when they managed an upset over ranked South Carolina.“That was definitely Butch Jones’ signature win for the year and so it was disappointing that we did not go on and win any SEC games after that,” said Roberta Anderson, of Knoxville.From there, it was four straight losses against elite competition.“Oh, the schedule was brutal. I mean we played I think seven ranked teams this year,” said Mike Bush, of Knoxville.Still, University of Tennessee fans are sticking with Head Coach Butch Jones."
"Remember that whole Joshua Dobbs hasn’t scored a touchdown thing? That’s over.Tennessee’s freshman quarterback found the end zone three times in a 27-14 win over Kentucky on Saturday.It was the first time he scored since becoming a first stringer in the second half of the Alabama game.UT’s running game certainly helped Dobbs. The Vols ran for 218 yards, led by senior tailback Rajion Neal, who carried the ball 20 times for 134 yards. Neal set the tone running for a 60-yard touchdown on the second play of the game.“It was huge,” Dobbs said. “We were able to dominate the line of scrimmage all night. It was a great way to start the game with a big momentum run. That is exactly what we needed and were able to get it.”"