Oct 19, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jason Croom (18) congratulates wide receiver Marquez North (8) for catching a pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee has long been known as “Wide Receiver U”.

While there was a short lull where that reputation seemed to have faded, there’s no doubt that the name has been restored to the Vols.

Tennessee currently has three rookie wide receivers in the NFL that are receiving significant playing time and there are a few more that will be playing on Sundays in the coming years.

On Wednesday morning the Volunteers officially signed JuCo wide receiver Von Pearson (he prefers Von to Lavon). Pearson was rated as one of the top JuCo wide receivers in the nation.

The 6’1″/180 lb receiver will join with soon to be sophomore Marquez North and incoming freshman Josh Malone to give the Vols an amazingly talented trio of wide receivers.

Both Pearson and Malone will go through spring practice, which is absolutely huge for their development.

Tennessee wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni could barely contain his excitement on Wednesday morning as he spoke to WMNL in Knoxville.

AZZANNI: Von Pearson has a lot of proven productivity. He had more catches in Junior College Football than anyone.

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 18, 2013

AZZANNI: I listed last year’s spring WRs & this year’s WRs and its different, a talent upgrade. Football is really important to those guys.

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 18, 2013

AZZANNI: They understand this is #WideReceiverU

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 18, 2013

AZZANNI: The 1st team meeting in January will look like a different team. That was a big senior class and hopefully 15 new faces.

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 18, 2013

AZZANNI: We will be a young team, but it is very exciting. The talent is there.

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 18, 2013

Tennessee will certainly be a more talented team at the skill positions when they take the field next season. The Vols lack of talent at wide receiver last season contributed to the poor play at the quarterback position. Players like Von Pearson and Josh Malone will immediately be playmakers for Tennessee.

Vol fans need to get ready for some exciting times. Butch Jones has some special things in store for the Vols.