A.J. Johnson, Curt Maggitt and Mack Crowder will represent the Tennessee Volunteers at SEC Media Days next week.
Most assumed that Maggitt, a redshirt junior linebacker that proved to be a vocal leader despite not playing last season, would be one of the players chosen to represent the Vols.
It’s also not a surprise to see linebacker A.J. Johnson as one of the players that will represent UT in Hoover next week.
Johnson sent a strong message to Vol nation by electing to stay in Knoxville for his senior season, instead of declaring for the NFL draft. The gesture, while seemingly small, tells you the kind of difference that Butch Jones has already made on Rocky Top.
Crowder, the Vols’ likely starting center in 2014, is the most surprising selection of the three.
And it’s not that Crowder’s selection is that surprising, but it was a complete toss up as to who the third player to represent Tennessee would be.
When you think about it, Crowder makes complete sense. He is one of the few UT offensive linemen that has actually seen some game action.
This is the second straight season that Tennessee will not bring a skill player to SEC Media days. The only realistic option would’ve been quarterback Justin Worley, but there’s no way Jones is going to tip his hand this early in the summer.
Tennessee’s turn at media days will come on July 15.