Vols Football: Predicting Top 5 Playmakers in 2014

1. Marquez North

Seen here: Marquez North’s lone TD in 2013. But it was a spectacular one. PHOTO: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The one offensive player who the Vols could count on to make big plays in 2013 was freshman wide receiver Marquez North. He finished his freshman year with 38 receptions for 496 yards and a touchdown. While he only scored one touchdown, he made several game-changing plays in a crucial stretch for the Vols in 2013.

North started out slow, but he quickly picked up steam as he learned the offensive playbook and learned the nuances of playing wide receiver in the SEC. Keep in mind that North played running back more in high school, and he was never taught the complexities of route running while in high school. He displayed great intelligence and flashed his immense ability in the homestretch of Tennessee’s schedule.

In the Georgia game, North broke through and made a highlight-reel catch in the endzone for his first career score as a Vol. In the South Carolina game, North made two clutch catches, one of them being the SportsCenter Top 10 catch that set up the game-winning field goal against the Gamecocks. These two games were when North turned it on for the remainder of the season.

In North’s first five games, he totaled 14 catches for 132 yards. Starting with the Georgia game, North caught 24 balls for 364 yards and his lone score over his next 6 games. The only thing that kept him from racking up more catches and yards was an injury that limited him to one catch against Vanderbilt and sidelined him for the season finale against Kentucky.

North’s 38 catches are 2nd most by a freshman in Tennessee history, behind only Kelly Washington’s 64 in 2001. North became the first Vols freshman since Justin Hunter in 2011 to record a 100-yard receiving game when he caught 3 passes for 102 yards against South Carolina (all according to UT’s website).

It was apparent in 2013 that Marquez North would be a vital part of Tennessee’s offense for the next few years, and he has the opportunity to become one of the best receivers in the SEC as a sophomore. With the additions of Von Pearson and Josh Malone to line up next to him and the additions of tight ends Ethan Wolf and Daniel Helm to the passing game, North will no longer be the only receiver opposing defenses can key in on.

At 6-4, 221lbs, North has the build and athleticism to bully any defender in the country. If teams will no longer be able to double-team him or put their best corner on him consistently, he should be able to wreak havoc in 2014.

If the Vols want to end their 5 year bowl drought, North will need to be the best player on Tennessee’s offense. Luckily for the Vols, he has the ability to be just that. Look for North to have a breakout season in 2014 as long as the offensive line can give the quarterback ample time to get him the ball.