Josh Dobbs Is Proving To Be A Leader For The Vols

If you want to have a successful football team, then you better have a quarterback that is not only a leader, but makes those around him better.

It’s been a while since Tennessee’s had a quarterback like that. But now, with Josh Dobbs as the entrenched starting quarterback, that’s exactly what they have.

That’s not to throw shade at former Vols quarterback Justin Worley. He truly gave his all for Tennessee during a tumultuous four seasons on Rocky Top. But he wasn’t the leader that Dobbs is capable of being.

For example, once Worley knew his 2014 season, and by extension his career at UT, was over, he pretty much just hung out on the sidelines. You didn’t see him talking things over with Dobbs after the offense ran off the field (trust me, I was watching).

Again, that’s no sleight to Worley. It just wasn’t who he was as a quarterback.

Fortunately for the Vols, Dobbs is showing the leadership skills needed to return Tennessee to its former glory.

Calling Dobbs a leader isn’t just lip service either. Butch Jones truly believes in his leadership skills, otherwise he wouldn’t have allowed the rising junior quarterback to sit in on recently hired offensive coordinator Mike DeBord’s interview.

"Jones: I thought Josh, first of all had earned the right to sit in that interview. I wanted that feedback, as we all know Josh is very cerebral, I wanted his input on some of the things.Jones: I trust Josh Dobbs and so I wanted his input."

Jones acknowledged that Dobbs didn’t have a lot of input in DeBord’s interview, but it would be silly to think that Jones, no matter how highly he thinks of a coach, would hire someone that had absolutely no chemistry with his star quarterback. So while Dobbs didn’t have a lot of verbal input in DeBord’s hire, he likely had more input then he even realized.

Dobbs is also taking an active leadership role with the younger quarterbacks on the roster, which Jones offered praise for after the first day of spring practice by saying “I thought Josh did a great job of providing leadership and experience [to the freshmen quarterbacks]”.

While being a leader and a on-the-field general are vital to Dobbs’ success, his mechanics are equally important.

But don’t worry, he’s improving in that area too.

"Jones: I thought he [Dobbs] did a very good job mechanically. You could see the transition from last year, the progression from last year to this year."

Josh Dobbs is poised for a breakout year in 2015. He has all the tools to make it happen. He has experience playing against some of the best teams in the country. He has experience bringing his team back from a two-score deficit.

And now, provided he can stay healthy, Dobbs will have a full season to prove how good he can truly be in a Vol uniform.

Buckle up folks, it’s going to be a fun ride in 2015.