Is Tennessee True Freshman Josh Dobbs The Next Phenom Quarterback?

Nov 9, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) warms up before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

It would be a bit much to label Tennessee Volunteers true freshman QB Josh Dobbs as the next phenom.

I’ll give you that.

It’s too early in Dobbs’ career to tell if that will be the case.

But if you listen to those around him, it certainly sounds like he has the “it” factor.

The way Butch Jones and the Tennessee players talk about Dobbs is what leads me to believe the Vols have found something special in their new quarterback.

Jones didn’t hesitate to praise Dobbs when talking about the true freshman sitting in on offensive line meetings.

"Jones: Josh, like we talked about, [is] poised beyond his years. He understands the importance of that. But it is also about building relationships, the more time you spend with a group like the o-line or the running backs with the o-line, it doesn’t matter by positionally, but you grow closer as a family."

It’s not just Jones that recognizes some special traits in Dobbs. His teammates have taken notice as well, specifically senior offensive lineman Zach Fulton.

"Fulton: He can do great things. He is capable of great things in the future. He is improving his leadership skills now so by his senior year he will be unbelievable. I believe he is a little less timid and more confident in everything he is doing"

The praise that Dobbs has received from his coach and teammates tells us a little more about where he is as a starting QB, then looking at the box score of his two starts.

The SEC has seen several back-up QB’s end up in starting roles this season, but Dobbs’ situation is a little bit different.

Dobbs entered a situation where he didn’t have the offensive weapons around him that some of the other young QB’s in the SEC were fortunate enough to have.

To gauge him simply by this numbers, or Tennessee’s win/loss record, would be doing an injustice to the young Georgia native.

Josh Dobbs has shown he has all the tools to be not only a successful SEC QB, but one that is capable of leading the Vols to greatness.

The aeronautical engineering major has the intelligence to be a phenom, he has the physical tools to be a phenom. Now he just needs experience and superb talent around him to truly make him great.

It might appear that Dobbs has been thrown to the wolves these past three games, but the experience he’s gained by playing against some of the best teams in nation is incredibly invaluable.

A year from now, Vol fans will be thankful for losses against Missouri and Auburn, because those losses are another brick in the foundation. Those losses will propel this team and their QB forward more than anyone can understand.

If you’re worried about those losses hurting Dobbs’ confidence — don’t. Butch Jones didn’t sound like he was worried in the slightest after Tennessee’s loss to Auburn.

"Jones:Again, that is a lot to put on the shoulders of an 18 year old playing against the competition that he is playing against but if anyone can handle it, it is Joshua Dobbs. I thought for the most part he did some very good things, positive things of continuing to move forward.”"

Josh Dobbs may end up being a phenom QB, or he may not. If he doesn’t it won’t be for lack of effort.

The Vols have found their leader, now it’s up to Butch Jones to build the team around him.