Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Pig Howard hasn’t been cleared to return to the team yet, but things are looking up for the beleaguered Vol.
Jones: Nothing has changed with Pig Howard's situation. He has done everything we have asked.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 15, 2014
@UTCoachJones on Alton "Pig" Howard's return to the roster: "Put himself in position to have a very, very good season."
— Danny Parker (@TheDannyParker) July 15, 2014
The Vols would definitely love to have Howard, who missed spring practice, back this season as the team’s primary slot receiver. As a sophomore, Howard led the Vols in receptions with 44 and finished second on the team in receiving yards with 388. He also rushed the ball 18 times for 93 yards and caught three touchdown passes.
If Howard is reinstated to the team, he could be in a for a big season. Last year he was kind of counted on to be the “go-to guy” on offense, which is a role I don’t believe suits Howard very well.
In 2014, he could slide into more of a “role-player” type position and rack up the receptions.
If, for whatever reason, Howard is not reinstated to the team, I would expect to see junior Johnathon Johnson and/or sophomore Josh Smith to have a bigger role in the offense this season.
UPDATE: After saying earlier that it would be a couple of weeks before deciding on Pig Howard, Jones now says that Howard is back on the team.
JONES: Alton Howard is back on our football team. He’s had one of the best off seasons of anyone.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 15, 2014
The timing is a bit odd, but regardless it’s great news for the Vols.